Are you looking for money for college?
The American Legion, Department of Michigan provides opportunities for high school students to apply for scholarships or prize money for college through the programs we offer. Awards vary by program and qualifications.
Oratorical Contest Scholarships-CLOSED 2024
$1,000 up to $25,000 possible for Oratorical Contest
The American Legion Oratorical Contest contestants compete at the department level for $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place scholarships. The first-place winner will advance to the national contest for an opportunity to win $20,000, $22,500, or $25,000 in scholarship money. Learn more about our oratorical contest here.
The Michigan American Legion Skilled Trades Scholarship-CLOSED 2024
2-year $1,000 scholarship
The American Legion Skilled Trades Scholarship aims to provide annual scholarships to deserving individuals – aged 17-21 years old – who are pursuing a construction/building, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or energy career either in a post-high school trades training/apprenticeship or earning a 2-year college degree in the any of areas listed above where the student would be certified at the state or federal level.
William D. & Jewell Brewer Scholarship-CLOSED 2024
$500 Award
- available to only Michigan residents who are high school seniors or college students – without a bachelor's degree, who are a son, daughter, grandchild or great-grandchild of a war-time veteran planning to or are attending any nationally accredited college or university or trade school. Selection is based on a student’s G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher, financial need, parent’s or grandparent’s honorable active war-time military service, goals, and intentions. Scholarships are $500 and non-renewable.
Guy M. Wilson Scholarship-CLOSED 2024
$1,000 Award
- available to only Michigan residents who are high school seniors and are a son, daughter, grandchild or great-grandchild of a war-time veteran planning to or are attending any Michigan accredited college or university or trade school. Selection is based on a student’s G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher, financial need, parent’s or grandparent’s honorable active war-time military service, goals, and intentions. Scholarships are $1,000 and non-renewable.
Samsung Boys/Girls State Scholarship
Up to $20,000!
- Scholarship applications are restricted to high school juniors who attend the current session of either The American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program and are a direct descendant - i.e. child, grandchild, great-grandchild, etc. - or a legally adopted child of a wartime U.S. military veteran who served on active duty during at least one of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for American Legion membership.
American Legion Baseball Scholarships. If you play on an American Legion Baseball team in Michigan see our baseball page here for two available scholarships.
Diamond Baseball Scholarship Winner receives $500.
Each certified Department Baseball scholarship winner shall be considered for The American Legion All-Academic Team sponsored by Diamond Sports, annually.
Eight players selected by a scholarship selection committee at The American Legion World Series will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship.
A ninth player, selected as the most outstanding member of the All-Academic Team, will be awarded an additional $5,000 scholarship.
All-Academic Team winners will retain their $500 scholarship from their department.
Scholarship recipients will be eligible to receive their scholarships immediately upon graduation from an accredited high school. Scholarship winners must utilize the total award within eight (8) years of their graduation date, excluding active military time.
The 2024 $500 Robert Turner Scholarship available HERE
Student Trooper/Youth Cadet Law Enforcement
$500 to $1,000
Four participants of the American Legion, Department of Michigan student trooper program will be selected by the instructors of the program in four areas. To learn more about the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program click here. Awards are given for the following:
Student Trooper of the Year - $1,000
Class Orator - $500
Academic Award - $500
Marksmanship Award - $500
To apply for the 2024 Student Trooper/Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program click here.
Eagle Scout Scholarship
$1,000 to $10,000 for qualifying Eagle Scouts
Boy scouts who are members of an American Legion, Department of Michigan post troop and have obtained the level of eagle scout or are the descendant of American Legion members may apply. The winner at the department level receives a $1,000 scholarship and is advanced to the national level for consideration for Eagle Scout of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship. See the scouting page for more details.