My parent is a member of the VFW, and I'm trying to find scholarships available for dependents like me. Has anyone applied to these scholarships or knows how competitive they are?
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization does, indeed, offer a significant scholarship opportunity for students related to VFW members.
The scholarship you're most likely looking for is the "VFW's Voice of Democracy" audio-essay program. This scholarship competition gives high school students in grades 9-12 the chance to earn scholarships ranging from $500 to $35,000. This scholarship program is open to all students, not just dependents of VFW members, but being familiar with the VFW mission and activities through a family connection could possibly give you a bit of an edge in developing your submission.
Regarding the competition level, the Voice of Democracy scholarship is fairly competitive as it is open to students nationwide. However, don't be dissuaded! Each submission is evaluated on originality, content, and delivery, so put care into crafting your audio-essay, and let your passion for the topic shine through. That said, don't forget to also cast a wide net and seek scholarship opportunities beyond the VFW.
Remember, it's often more about how well you fit a scholarship's criteria or how well you express yourself rather than the sheer number of applicants that determine to whom the scholarships are awarded. Keep striving and pursuing these opportunities! Best of luck with your scholarship applications!
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