Francesca "Frankie" Bill
2020-2021 National Scholarships Ambassador
For more than 40 years, the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest has been sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary. This scholarship continues to recognize high school-aged students whose art expresses patriotism. Nationwide, nearly 4,000 entries are submitted annually. To promote participation, herein are the eligibility requirements and contest rules, along with a few of the scholarship submission requirements:
- Applicants must be students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or home study program within the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of United States military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
- Students must be a United States citizen or national.
- Student is not required to be related to a VFW or Auxiliary member to participate; however, the student must attend school in the same state as the sponsoring VFW Auxiliary.
- Ineligible applicants are foreign exchange students, students who are 20 years-of-age or older, General Education Development (GED) and adult education students, or national winners of previous Patriotic Art Contests.
- Application entries must be completed during the current school year.
- Attach a completed Patriotic Art Contest application to the back of the entry with a typed explanation of the entry (250 words or less).
- The Patriotic Art Contest application must include a signature from a teacher or supervisory adult.
- If the American Flag is used as an entry, it must conform to the Federal Flag Code in relation to colors, number of stars and stripes and other pertinent rules of the code.
- Ineligible entries are digital art, photography and jewelry.
- Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Materials accepted include watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught.
- Three-dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, wood, etc.
Across the country, the VFW Auxiliary recognizes these young artists with 10 national awards for a total of $31,500. The national first-place winner receives a $15,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Similarly, the remaining nine (9) national winners have their scholarships paid to their post-secondary institution of choice. The second-place winner receives a $7,500 scholarship; while the third-place winner receives a $3,500 scholarship. The fourth- and fifth-place winners each receive a $1,500 scholarship, while those placing sixth- through tenth-place each receive a $500 scholarship.
Important contest deadlines and information are as follows:
- Student entries must be received at the local VFW Auxiliary by March 31, 2021.
- Judging of the local VFW Auxiliary and Districts (if applicable) must be completed by April 10, 2021.
- Winning student entries must be received at Department for judging by April 15, 2021.
- Department winning entries must be received at National Headquarters by May 5, 2021.
- The National contest will be judged at National Convention.
- Department-winning entries received at National Headquarters to be judged in the National contest will be mailed back to the student at the address listed on the scholarship application by mid-September 2021.
Along with National Headquarters, many local, District and Department-level VFW Auxiliaries offer scholarship awards totaling over $135,000. The National Organization has awarded more than 225 youth with nearly $500,000 during the past 40 years. You never know who the next budding young artist is in your area! Help promote the artists of tomorrow, today.