Applications for American Legion Auxiliary scholarships now available

[May 10, 2011]  Applications are being accepted for four Illinois scholarships sponsored by Lincoln American Legion Auxiliary Unit 263, Department of Illinois, as well as the Children and Youth Scholarship, a nursing scholarship, and three national scholarships.

Students interested in applying should contact Mrs. Marlene Schrader, education chairman for Legion Auxiliary Unit 263, phone [phone].

Eligible applicants may apply for the following four Illinois scholarships:

• Ada Mucklestone Scholarship -- providing $1,000 scholarships as funds permit. Applicants for this scholarship shall be children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of veterans who served in the armed forces during eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion. Applicants must be in their senior year or a graduate of an accredited high school, but they may not have attended an institution of higher learning. Applicants must be residents of Illinois.

• Illinois Scholarship for junior members -- awarding as many $1,000 scholarships as funds permit. Candidates for this award shall be junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, said junior to have held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary for the past three years and must now hold a junior membership card for the year 2011. Must also be a resident of  Illinois. Applicants must be in their senior year or a graduate of an accredited high school, but they may not have attended an institution of higher learning. 

• Mildred R. Knoles (Opportunity) Scholarship -- awarding as many $1,000 scholarships as funds permit. Candidates for these scholarships shall be veterans, children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of veterans who have served during the eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion, who are in need of financial assistance to continue their college or university education, and who are residents of Illinois.

• Marie Sheehe Business/Trade School Scholarship -- $1,000 scholarships for students needing financial assistance to continue their education in business or trade school. This is open to children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of veterans who served during the eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion. Applicants must be residents of Illinois.

There is also a scholarship for Illinois college students in training for special education:

• Children and Youth Scholarship -- $1,000 scholarships to college students who specialize in education of physically and mentally handicapped children. Applicants must be in sophomore or junior class in college when applications are made. Applicants must be in the upper half of the class and in need of financial assistance. Important: Applicants must be residents of Illinois.

The national American Legion Auxiliary has the following scholarships available: 

• National President's Scholarship -- Candidates for this award shall be direct descendants, stepchildren or stepgrandchildren of U.S. wartime veterans who served during one or more of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion. The applicants must complete hours of community service during their high school years to be eligible for one of these scholarships. There will be one $2,500, one $2,000 and one $1,000 scholarship awarded in each national division.

• Spirit of Youth Scholarship for junior members -- One junior member in each national division will receive a scholarship valued at $1,000 per year for four years, for a total of $4,000. The applicant must have held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary for the immediate past three years, currently hold a 2011 membership card and continue to maintain her membership throughout the four-year scholarship period.

• The Non-Traditional Student Scholarship -- These scholarships are available for students returning to the classroom after some period of time in which their formal schooling was interrupted. The applicants must be a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion; dues must have been paid for the two preceding years; must be current 2011 members. The applicants must have completed at least one year of college and be pursuing an undergraduate degree. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in each national division.

• Past Presidents' Parley Nurse's Scholarship -- Applicants must be in their senior year of high school or be a graduate of an accredited high school and must be in need of financial assistance to continue their education. Each successful applicant will receive a $1,000 scholarship, which is awarded in July. Scholarships are awarded only to full-time students enrolled in accredited schools or hospital programs. Applications for the Past Presidents' Parley Nurse's Scholarship may be obtained from Mrs. Schrader.

The American Legion also has scholarship assistance available:

• American Legion Scholarship -- Applicants must be a dependent of a living American Legion member or a dependent of a deceased member. Applicants must be a senior in an accredited high school at the time of application who will graduate in the current school year. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.

• Students are also encouraged to check with their schools for a copy of the "Need a Lift?" pamphlet for other educational opportunities in career loans and scholarships.

• Lastly, the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship program, a Constitutional speech contest, awards $13,075 in scholarships. The national organization provides $128,000 in scholarships each year to department finalists. The purpose of this contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship. All department scholarship awards are payable to accredited universities or colleges in the United States. Oratorical contest applications and rules may be obtained from C. Wayne Schrader, 217-732-4759.

[Text from file received from Marlene Schrader]