Since 1971, The American Legion Department of Ohio has awarded scholarships to deserving students to assist them with the ever-increasing costs associated with higher education.

Any accredited institution of higher learning with a program of education or a vocational objective qualifies.

» Instructions and Guidelines
» Scholarship Application
» Scholarship Points Scale Sheet

 

For more information contact us.

scholarship-sm

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following. Failure to meet or provide the below will result in applicant being disqualified.

  • Be a Legionnaire in good standing OR
  • Be a direct descendant of a Legionnaire in good standing OR
  • Be a direct desendant of a deceased Legionnaire in good standing at the time of passing
  • If not a Legionnaire, must be a high school senior or military veteran eligible for Legion membership
  • Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher AND
  • Have an ACT of 25 or higher
  • Provide an accurately completed application along with all required documentation
  • If a high school senior, be attending college fall semester immediately following high school graduation

Judging Criteria

Judging criteria shall be based upon academic achievement through course grades, difficulty of curriculum, scholastic and ACT test scores, participation in outside activities, and the Committee’s general impression of student’s character obtained from personal statement.

Awards

Awards of at least $2,000 have been made by the Selection Committee in the recent past, but the quantity and amount of awards is dependent upon annual fund earnings.

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Christie White

Americanism and Children & Youth Coordinator

High School Award

Bode Menegay of Paris, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire. He is a Buckeye Boys State Alumni, and he is involved in Boy Scouts. Bode will be attending The University of Notre Dame.


 

Carson Soper of Bluffton, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government participant. Carson will be attending the University of Findlay.


 

Hans Holmes of Nashport, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire and is involved in Boy Scouts. Hans will be attending Valparaiso University.


 

Robert DeLuca of Sheffield Village, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire. Robert will be attending the University of Toledo.


 

Sophia Batchler of Amelia, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire. Sophia will be attending The Ohio State University.


 

Emily Harr of Defiance, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government participant. Emily will be attending Miami University.


 

Alyssa Sifuentes of Napoleon, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is involved in Girl Scouts. Alyssa will be attending The University of Notre Dame.


 

Sarah Thomas of Fort Loramie, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government Test participant, Buckeye Girls State Alumni, and Auxiliary member. Sarah will be attending the University of Findlay.


 

Kade Williams of Dublin, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is involved in Boy Scouts, achieving his Eagle Scout. Kade will be attending The Ohio State University.

College/University Award

Megan Sideri of Lewis Center, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is involved in Girl Scouts. Megan is currently enrolled at Kent State University.


 

Ashley Sideri of Lewis Center, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is involved in Girl Scouts. Ashley is currently enrolled at Miami University.


Donald L. Lanthorn Award

Gavin Bull of Delaware, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is involved in Boy Scouts, achieving his Eagle Scout. Gavin will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder.

Durward I. Bernhard Scholarship Award

One scholarship award of at least $1,000 shall be designated the Durward I. Bernhard Scholarship Award and provided to a resident of Belmont County in honor of the benefactor of our fund and the area of Ohio from which he came.

Applicant must indicate that they are a Belmont County resident on the application to assure consideration for this special award. Applicants selected will be considered for other awards given by The American Legion Department of Ohio.

Don Lanthorn Scholarship

In honor of the Past Department Service Director, Donald Lanthorn, one scholarship award of at least $1,000 shall be designated the Don Lanthorn Scholarship Award and provided to a high school senior from one of the following 6 counties:

Delaware

Knox

Licking

Madison

Marion

Morrow

Union

Applicant must indicate they are a resident in one of the above Ohio counties on the application and meet the enclosed listed “eligibility” requirements to be considered for this special award.

Screening Committee

The Scholarship Screening Committee for The Ohio American Legion Scholarships Awards is established by Article X, Section 6, of the Constitution of The American Legion, Department of Ohio, and consists of the following:

COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio

1ST VICE COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio

2ND VICE COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio

IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER
Dept. of Ohio

ADJUTANT
Dept. of Ohio

CHAIRPERSON
Appointed by Dept. Commander

CHAIRPERSON
Americanism Committee

CHAIRPERSON
Child Welfare Committee

TREASURER
Dept. of Ohio

THREE (3) COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Appointed by Dept. Commander

To find out more about the Oratorical Scholarship Contest please click here.