Both the American Legion as well as the Department of Washington offer a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. There are opportunities for everyone, including kin of wartime veterans and participants in Legion programs. 

    NOTE: Local American Legion Posts may have their own list of Scholarships offered within their local community.

    You must attend Evergreen Boys State at the end of your Junior year of High School to qualify for these scholarships. Please visit our website for more information and to apply to attend.

    The Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The minimum scholarship the winner will receive is $1,250. The state winner’s application is forwarded to National to compete for one of ten $5,000 awards or one of ten $10,000 awards. Please note that scholarship winners receive either $1,250 OR $5,000 OR $10,000 – they do not receive any combination of those amounts. The Samsung Scholarship Application must be completed ONLINE before arriving at American Legion Evergreen Boys State.

    Gladys M. Heintz Memorial Boys Nation Scholarship. Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded to the two The American Legion Evergreen Boys State Citizens selected and attending The American Legion Boys Nation program. Attendance and completion of the Boys Nation program is required.

    Evergreen Boys State Foundation Governor’s Scholarship. One scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to the elected Governor of the State of Evergreen. These funds were donated to the Foundation and managed for such scholarships.

    Carl and Ruth Wipperman Legacy Leadership Scholarship. One scholarship of $1,000 is awarded each year to an outstanding future leader of our community, state and nation based upon their committed actions while attending The American Legion Evergreen Boys State.

    Harry L. Easley Outstanding Citizen Scholarship. One scholarship of $500 is given to a citizen of The American Legion Evergreen Boys State who most distinguishes himself during the week as a citizen of the State of Evergreen.

    Leonard Beil Speaker of the House Scholarship. One scholarship of $500 is awarded to the Speaker of the House.

    TWO scholarships are awarded each year – One (1) $2,500 and One (1) $1,500

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Must be the son or daughter of a member of The American Legion, Department of Washington, or its Auxiliary, living or deceased, currently in good standing, or in good standing at time of death.
    • Must currently be enrolled in an accredited school as a high school senior.
    • Scholarships applications must be approved at the Local Post level and forwarded to the Department of Washington by April 1st of each year.

    Nomination packets must be received by The American Legion Department of Washington headquarters no later than March 1st each year. The American Legion Department of Washington selection committee will determine the Eagle Scout judged to be the best in our state. The Department will forward that packet to The American Legion National Headquarters where it will compete for additional scholarships. Please visit the website for more information and the nomination form.

    Forms should be sent to:

    Department of Washington
    The American Legion
    Attention: Boy Scouts Committee
    PO Box 3917
    Lacey, WA 98509-3917

    You may contact us at Administrator@walegion.org for additional questions.

    To earn these scholarships, high school students (grades 9-12) must participate in the Washington State Constitutional Speech Contest. For more information please visit our contest website.

    Four scholarships are awarded in Washington State to the top four contestants at the state constitutional speech contest which is held in March each year.

    First Place: a $2,000 scholarship, plus an expenses paid trip to compete in the National Finals Contest to compete for a part of the $203,500 national scholarship pool.

    Second Place: a scholarship of $1,500

    Third Place: a scholarship of $1,000

    Fourth Place: a scholarship of $500

    This scholarship is not administered by the Department of Washington, but rather by our National organization. The American Legion wants to ensure higher education is a possibility for children whose parents lost their lives while serving our country as well as for children of VA-rated, post-9/11 veterans with a combined disability rating of 50 percent or higher. The American Legion and the Legion Riders offer support through the Legacy Scholarship Fund. This is a needs-based scholarship designed to fulfill a financial gap remaining after all federal and state educational grants/scholarships available to an eligible applicant have been utilized. For more information and to apply please visit the national website.

    You must be a participant in the Junior Shooting Sports program to qualify. Scholarships are awarded upon completion of the annual American Legion 3-Position Junior Air Rifle Championship. The Precision Winner and Sporter Winner will each receive $5,000 in college scholarships. Second place finishers in each category will each receive $1,000 in college scholarships. For more information and to apply please visit the national website.

    You MUST be a participant in the American Legion Baseball program to qualify. Any team manager or head coach of an American Legion (post–affiliated) team may nominate a player for consideration of this award. The scholarship application, letters of recommendation and certification form must be completed, postmarked and mailed to the Department headquarters no later than July 15. For more information please visit the national website.