2025-2026 entry form
Entries can also be entered through Scholars App.
Each year, more than 60,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Students interested in participating must submit their essay prepared on this year’s theme, with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. Find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
Attention Teachers!
- Patriot’s Pen Entry Form – Discover this year’s theme, rules and entry form
- Patriot’s Pen Brochure – Help spread the word about our Patriot’s Pen competition
- National Award List – View a complete listing of national awards available
- Score Sheet – The official Patriot’s Pen judges’ score sheet
- Post, District and Department Reports – The official VFW reporting and summary on the Programs Dashboard Tool
- Department Patriot’s Pen Report Instructions – Everything you need to know on forwarding your Patriot’s Pen winner to national
- VOD and Patriot’s Pen Scholarship Donor Criteria – If you’re interested in sponsoring a scholarship, here’s what you need to know
- Competition Announcement Press Release – Fill in the blanks and send to your local media
- Patriot’s Pen Winner Press Release – Fill in the blanks and promote your local winner
- Public Service Announcement Script – Ask local TV and radio stations to promote the program