Application Form

Each Boys State and each Girls State across America selects one delegate each year as a national finalist for ten American Legion Scholarships.  Winners are chosen on academic achievement and financial need from among applicants who have a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who served in our armed forces during times of war.  Each of the nearly 100 national finalists receives a $1000 college scholarship - one of whom is from Illinois Boys State.  From those 100 finalists, approximately ten scholarships are awarded annually, each in the amount of $20,000.  National Boys State Scholarships are made possible from a scholarship endowment established by the Samsung corporation, and the number of national scholarships may vary slightly based on the annual earnings from the endowment.

To be eligible, candidates must be citizens of Boys State, and must be a direct descendent (i.e., child, grandchild, great grandchild) of a United States wartime veteran. Click on the link below to download the application. Adobe Reader is required. If you cannot download the application, call 309-663-0361 and request an application.

Candidates should bring the completed application to Boys State. It will be collected on Saturday evening by the counseling staff.

A few notes for Illinois applicants:

• Please do NOT attach proof of veteran status on your application. If you are chosen as the Illinois Boys winner, we will assist you in obtaining the necessary form DD-214 or equivalent proof of veteran status.
• High School Record is REQUIRED in order for the application to be processed properly.
• Applications need NOT be typed at the state level.

Past Winners