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.

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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.

2022 Scholarship Recipients

Christie White

Americanism and Children & Youth Coordinator

High School Award

Cole Rhodes of Hartville, Ohio is the great grandson of a Legionnaire. Cole will be attending The Ohio State University.


 

Payton Rhodes of Hartville, Ohio is the great grandson of a Legionnaire and is a Boy Scout.  Payton will be attending The Ohio State University.


 

Terrin Jackson of Harrison, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government Participant, Buckeye Boys State Alumni and SAL Member.  Terrin will be attending Clemson University.


 

Evan Edwards of West Chester, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire. Evan will be attending Miami University.


 

Josiah Schmitz of Beavercreek, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire.  Josiah will be attending Wright State University.


 

Aubrey Pfenning of Waynesville, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire.  Aubrey will be attending Minnesota State University- Moorhead.


 

Samuel Range of Sidney, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is a Buckeye Boys State Alumni and Boy Scout.  Samuel will be attending Miami University.


 

Justin Ackerman of New Richmond, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government Test participant and Buckeye Boys State Alumni.  Justin will be attending the University of Cincinnati.


 

Alexandria Burklo of Cridersville, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire. Alexandria will be attending Ohio Northern University.


 

Reece Busse of New Bremen, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire. Reece will be attending The Ohio State University.


 

Audrey Sandberg of Pemberville, Ohio is the great granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government Test participant and Girl Scout. Audrey will be attending The Ohio State University.


 

Mara Brackman of New Breman, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and is a former Americanism and Government Test participant. Mara will be attending The Ohio State University.


 

Aiden McDougal of New Washington, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is a Buckeye Boys State Alumni and SAL Member. Aiden will be attending The Ohio State University.

 


College/University Award

Cynthia Morris of Centerburg, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire. Cynthia is currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati.


 

Allison Barnhart of Fairborn, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire. Allison is currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati.


 

Maxwell Phillips of New Washington, Ohio is the grandson of a Legionnaire and is a Buckeye Boys State Alumni, Americanism and Government Test participant, Boy Scout and SAL Member. Maxwell is currently enrolled at Ohio Northern University.


 

James Schmitz of Beavercreek, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire. James is currently attending Wright State University.


 

Dylan Wierwillie of Wapakoneta, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and a former Americanism and Government Test participant and Girl Scout. Dylan is currently enrolled at Bowling Green State University.


 

Adam Harr of Defiance, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire and a former Americanism and Government Test participant and Buckeye Boys State Alumni. Adam is currently enrolled at Miami University.


 

Hannah Horsington of Newark, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire and a former Americanism and Government Test participant, Oratorical Contestant, and Buckeye Girls State Alumni. Hannah is currently enrolled at Miami University.


 

Madalynn Aumend of Ashland, Ohio is the granddaughter of a Legionnaire and a former Americanism and Government Test participant. Madalynn is currently enrolled at Ashland University.


 

Caroline Holmes of Nashport, Ohio is the daughter of a Legionnaire and a former Girl Scout. Caroline is currently enrolled at Hillsdale College.


 

Lauren Roncone of North Canton, Ohio is the great granddaughter of a Legionnaire and a Buckeye Girls State Alumni. Lauren is currently enrolled at Mount Union University.


 

Stephanie Rubal of Columbus, Ohio is the great granddaughter of a Legionnaire and a former Girl Scout. Stephanie is currently enrolled at Bowling Green State University.


 

Donald L. Lanthorn Award

Mark Hettinger of Johnstown, Ohio is the son of a Legionnaire and a former Americanism and Government Test participant and Eagle Scout. Mark is currently attending Ohio Dominican University.


American Legion Membership Award

Andrew Ritter of Lewis Center, Ohio is an American Legion Member of Post 217 and is an Army veteran. He is currently employed as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Andrew is currently attending the University of Cincinnati to pursue his degree.


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.