American Legion Department of New Jersey Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by American Legion Department of New Jersey

Education & Scholarship Opportunities — The American Legion, Department of New Jersey

Overview
The American Legion Department of New Jersey offers several education scholarships for graduating high school seniors (including vocational-technical schools) in the Class of 2026. Application packets must be received at Department Headquarters no later than March 19, 2026.

Available Awards
- Two (2) Education Scholarships — $3,000 each (payable for one year)
- Four (4) Education Scholarships — $1,500 each (payable for one year)
- Three (3) Education Scholarships — $1,000 each (payable for one year)
- John Casey Scholarship — One (1) award of $1,500 (payable for one year). Note: eligibility for the John Casey Scholarship requires that the applicant’s forbearer was combat-wounded.

Eligibility Requirements
1. The applicant must be a natural or legally adopted descendant (for example: son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter) of a member of The American Legion, Department of New Jersey.
2. The ancestor (forbearer) on whose membership the applicant relies must either be a current member of The American Legion, Department of New Jersey, or must have been a member at the time of death. (Again, for the John Casey Scholarship the forbearer must have been combat-wounded.)
3. Applicants must be members of the high school graduating class of 2026 (this includes students from vocational-technical schools).
4. Scholarship funds must be used during the academic year in which they are awarded.
5. Award recipients who do not gain admission to their chosen college or school by August 1, 2026 will forfeit the scholarship.

Application Procedure
- Complete the required questionnaire and any other sections of the application exactly as directed on the form. Incomplete or improperly filled applications will not be considered.
- Include a copy of the family’s IRS Form 1040 (this is required to document financial need).
- Certified high school transcripts from freshman year onward must be provided, showing all grades, GPA, class rank, SAT (or equivalent) results, etc.

Evaluation Criteria (each category weighted 20%)
a) Character (20%): Evidence of high standards of conduct, moral integrity, truthfulness, conscience, and belief in God. Supporting documentation may include a letter from a clergy member (pastor, rabbi, etc.) and records of volunteer service.
b) Americanism / Community Service (20%): Demonstrated love of country and civic responsibility — examples include participation in Boys and Girls State, Scouting, flag programs, civic education, or other community service.
c) Leadership (20%): Demonstrated ability to lead and achieve results through group efforts — examples include club or school president, drum major, team captain, etc.
d) Scholarship (20%): Academic achievement documented by certified transcripts, GPA, class rank, and standardized test scores.
e) Financial Need (20%): Actual necessity for financial assistance to continue higher education; documentation requires the family’s IRS Form 1040.

Signatures and Submissions
- All applications must be signed by the applicant and by the Commander of the sponsoring American Legion Post.
- Exception: Applications submitted by Post 1000 should NOT be signed by that post’s Commander. Instead, those applications must be forwarded directly to Department Headquarters in Trenton for the Department Commander’s signature.

Deadline Reminder
Applications must arrive at Department Headquarters by March 19, 2026. Recipients who are not admitted to an educational institution by August 1, 2026 will lose their award.

If you need help or have questions about the application, contact The American Legion Department of New Jersey for assistance.