Over $667,000 awarded to American Legion Legacy Scholarship recipients

In the fourth year of its eligibility expansion, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship has awarded over $667,000 in financial aid to 35 children of post-9/11 veterans.

The 2020 Legacy Scholarship application deadline was April 15, and the awardees were determined by the Americanism Commission on May 9.

The 35 recipients met the scholarship's eligibility requirements, which is for children of veterans who died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, or children of post-9/11 veterans who have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or higher. Up to $20,000 will be awarded to the recipients for the expense of graduate or post-graduate tuition, books, room and board, meal plans and other supplies. The grant amount each scholarship recipient receives is based on his or her financial need after all federal and state aid is exhausted.

Legacy Scholarship recipients have a year to use the grant and those eligible can reapply up to six times.

Since the Legacy Scholarship's first grant in 2004, 401 military children of the fallen and disabled have received over $3.6 million in aid. Read testimonials from American Legion Legacy Scholarship recipients and how thanks to the scholarship they are able to achieve their dreams of going to the college of their choice, pursue their studies without having to get a job or have the opportunity to study abroad.

The number of scholarships awarded and the amount of financial aid granted to each awardee (this includes returning applicants) is determined on donations to the scholarship fund and one's financial needs. The American Legion Riders have been the most dedicated fundraiser and supporter of the Legacy Scholarship through their annual Legacy Run. The Run has raised over or near $1 million for the Legacy Scholarship Fund since 2015.

For more information about the Legacy Scholarship or to make a donation to the Legacy Scholarship Fund, visit www.legion.org/scholarships/legacy.