Samsung American Legion Scholarship
To show its appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea’s aid during its struggle against communist forces during the Korean War, worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million in 1966.
The American Legion administers the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program, which is funded by the interest and other income from the endowment.
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Scholarships Awarded
Every year, $300,000 in Samsung American Legion Scholarships are awarded to nearly 100 American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State participants. These scholarships are for undergraduate study only and may be used for tuition, books, fees, room, and board.Scholarship Deadline: Typically, applications are submitted to the program staff upon the participants’ arrival at American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. | Download Application (pdf)
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Scholarship Criteria
- Applicants must be high school juniors who attend either American Legion Auxiliary Girls State or American Legion Boys State.
- Applicants must be direct descendants (i.e., child, grandchild, great-grandchild, or legally adopted child) of a U.S. wartime veteran who served on active duty during one or more of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion.
- Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War veterans will receive special consideration.
- Scholarship winners are selected based on academic record, involvement in school and community activities, community service, and financial need.
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The 2013 Samsung Scholars
The American Legion National Selection Committee has selected 9 students for the 2013 Samsung American Legion Scholarship. Each student will receive a $20,000 scholarship for undergraduate studies. The Samsung American Legion Scholarship is available to high school juniors who participate in and complete The American Legion Boys State or The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs and are direct descendants (or legally adopted children) of wartime veterans eligible for American Legion membership. Students who qualify for and are interested in the Samsung Scholarship must submit a completed application to program staff upon their arrival to Boys State or Girls State. Recipients of the scholarship must use the funds for undergraduate studies (e.g., room and board, tuition and books), and each applicant is selected according to his or her school and community activities, academic record and financial need. To date, the scholarship has awarded more than $4.9 million to nearly 1,700 applicants, making it the largest college scholarship the Legion awards.
The 2013 Samsung scholarship recipients are:
Cameron Akker – Sammamish, Washington
Tery Burt – Chesnee, South Carolina
Dallas Debruin – Greenfield, Ohio
Megan Kelley – Danbury, Nebraska
Gabrielle Lessen – Alexandria, Louisiana
Austin Owen – Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Gregory Scalise – Brewster, Massachusetts
Aidan Schneider – Flagstaff, Arizona
Troy Timmerman – Marshall, MinnesotaThe remaining 89 “National Finalists” in the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program will each receive a $1,100 scholarship for their undergraduate studies.