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:

• You need 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.
• School information is REQUIRED in order for the application to be processed properly.

Samsung Scholarship Application for Boys State Participants Only

2005 Winner - William Holdsworth - Sherrard - $21000

2004 Winner - Kelby Lanning - Alpha - $1000

2003 Winner - Tome Holt - Woodhull - $21000

2002 Winner - Kevin Smalley - Hampshire - $1000

2001 Winner - Alexander Fenske - Richton Park - $1000

2000 Winner - Brian Holt - Woodhull - $1000

1999 Winner - Matthew Kessler - Macomb - $1000

1998 Winner - Matthew Zuber - Paris - $1000

1997 Winner - Paul Krivickas - Lockport - $1000

1996 Winner - Paul Wikoff - Oneida - $1000