Scholarships & Awards

The American Legion, Department of Indiana runs several state-wide initiatives that benefit our youth through patriotic, educational, scholarship-based programs. 

We also honor our state's civil servants, and hometown heroes. Annually, posts across Indiana individually nominate those community servants that stand out in their respective fields; law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, educators and military service members. Department winners are honored annually during the Department Annual Convention. 

National Employer of the Year Awards

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L3 Communications was awarded the Medium-sized Employer of the Year Award during The American Legion 96th National Convention. (Photo by Tom Strattman)
The first American Legion Veterans Employment and Education Commission Award was established in 1947, and recognized individuals across the country who had established outstanding records in the employment and retention of workers with disabilities. Since that time, categories were added to the current nine award programs.

The awards, presented by The American Legion’s National Veterans Employment & Education Commission, are given to businesses across the country that have established outstanding records in employing and retaining veterans, workers with disabilities and older members of the work force. 

​To be eligible for an Employer of the Year Award, nominees must be a private-sector business operating for at least five years, cannot restrict its employment to veterans-only, and must have at least 10 percent of its work force made up of veterans.

Honor Your Local Heroes

​The American Legion Department of Indiana recognizes and appreciates our Hoosier law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, educators, and local businesses that provide understanding and unwavering support to veterans both active and retired. 

Their service to our communities and state is what makes Indiana great. Posts and districts can nominate these special individuals to be recognized by the Department of Indiana at the annual Department Convention. 
​
Find nomination forms and instructions below for each category and show Indiana that we truly appreciate their service to our community. 

​Nomination Packets
(Not open until July or August 2020)
​Educator of the Year
EMS/Firefighter/Law Enforcement of the Year
Military ​Person of the Year

​Scholarships Opportunities for Hoosier Families

American Legion ​Family Scholarship

Eligibility for The American Legion Family Scholarship is open to the children and grandchildren of current paid members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion; and the children and grandchildren of members who are deceased and who, at the time of death, were current paid members of the above organizations.

American Legion ​Legacy Scholarship

Since the inception of The American Legion Legacy Scholarship in 2001 following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, The American Legion has offered its support to the children of fallen post-9/11 servicemembers through this scholarship. Beginning with the 2017 award year, The American Legion expanded the scholarship to include children of VA-rated, post-9/11 veterans with a disability of 50 percent or higher. Our organization remains committed to honoring the memory and service of our fallen and disabled comrades by ensuring their children are afforded the best possible educational opportunities.

American Legion ​Baseball Scholarship

​In 2014, The American Legion awarded $16,500 in scholarships to deserving players. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from their Department to receive this scholarship. The American Legion will award several scholarships this year depending on the number of applicants and interest earned from the trust fund. For more information email baseball@legion.org

Americanism and Government Test Programs

​This program provides students with the opportunity to receive recognition and scholarship awards by testing their knowledge of current events, Indiana and United States Government and History, and display of the United States Flag. Students study on their own and American Legion members work with school administrators to bring the testing into the schools during the month of November. Modifications may be made for home school students.

Eagle Scout of the Year

District winners receive a $200 scholarship. The department level winner receives a $1,000 scholarship. National headquarters honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the annual national convention with a $10,000 scholarship. The three runners-up get $2,500.

Girl Scout of the Year Scholarship

​$1,000 scholarship and trip to the Department of Indiana Convention to receive award. Each District winner will receive a $200 scholarship. 

The Eight and Forty Lung and
Respiratory Nursing Scholarship

​Applications for the $5,000 Eight and Forty Lung and Respiratory Disease Nursing Scholarship are now available for nurses wanting to advance their training in pediatric lung and respiratory diseases or to prepare for positions in clinical practice and management.

Oratorical Scholarship

​Participants in the Oratorical Scholarship Program develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States and have a chance to win up to a $4,200 scholarship at the state level. The deadline to apply for the contest is December. Competitors deliver their orations at District level in January, Zone level in February, and Department level in March. The final state contestant will represent Indiana in the National Oratorical Contest in April.

Samsung Scholarship

​Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea's aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount. In 2015, 10 $20,000 scholarships and 88 $852 scholarships were awarded. To date, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded more than $5.2 million to nearly 1,800 applicants.

Sons of the American Legion Scholarship

​This is scholarship for members of the Sons of The American Legion to be rewarded for their service in the community. For more information on the Sons of the American Legion please visit http://www.indianasal.org/
​Department Programs Coordinator
Butch Miller
317-630-1391
FAX:  317-237-9891
bmiller@indianalegion.org
programs@indianalegion.org