ALA Department of Texas Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary

Overview
These scholarship guidelines are written for Texas students who are direct descendants (child, grandchild, or great‑grandchild) of a veteran who served during the eligibility dates for American Legion membership. Read everything carefully and submit a complete application on time.

Eligibility
- Resident of Texas.
- Relationship: child, grandchild, or great‑grandchild of a veteran who served during one of these periods:
- April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918 (World War I)
- Any time after December 12, 1941 (all wars/conflicts)
- High school applicants: must be a senior in the 2025–2026 school year.
- College applicants: must be enrolled full time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) and attending consecutive semesters.

Selection criteria
Applicants are judged on four equally weighted categories:
- Character and leadership — 25%
- Initiative and goals — 25%
- Financial need — 25%
- Scholarship (academic record) — 25%

Important deadlines and enrollment rules
- Application and all required attachments must be emailed to the Department of Texas Education Committee Chair at linda.malsbary@yahoo.com by May 1, 2026.
- You will receive an email confirming receipt. Award notifications will be sent by email in June 2026.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, you must be enrolled in college no later than August 1, 2026. If you enroll and then choose not to attend the fall semester, the scholarship will be void.
- Scholarships will NOT be awarded for the 2027 or 2028 year of enrollment.
- Final award decisions rest with the Education Chairman and the Committee.

Application requirements — submit all items
(Attach every item to the email; incomplete applications will not be considered.)
1. General Scholarship application form — available at alatexas.org/programs/education/
2. Completed application form (double‑check that every field is filled out).
3. Resume from the applicant. Include qualifications, intended major and chosen college, career goals, sources of financial support not listed on the application, extracurricular activities, service hours, and honors/awards.
4. Three letters of recommendation:
- From the principal or counselor of your high school (or from a college advisor/instructor, if currently enrolled in college);
- From a community representative who can attest to your character, Americanism, and scholarship;
- One letter of your choice.
5. Certified copy of your high school grades for the last two years, or a college transcript (if applicable).
6. Optional: recommendation from your local American Legion Auxiliary Unit President or Unit Education Chairman for additional consideration.

Award information
- Gift scholarships of $500 each will be awarded. Awards are based on the applications received by the May 1, 2026 deadline.
- Scholarship checks will be mailed directly to the college or university you will attend.

Quick checklist before you send
- Completed application form
- Resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Certified transcript (last two years of high school or college)
- Optional ALA Unit recommendation
- All items attached and emailed to linda.malsbary@yahoo.com by May 1, 2026

If you have questions, contact the Education Committee Chair at the above email address. Good luck — take your time, be thorough, and make your submission reflect your best work.