Naperville American Legion offers scholarships to high school grads
American Legion Post 43 in Naperville will award four graduates of the class of 2026 a scholarship of $3,000 to assist in their pursuit of post high school education.
One scholarship will be designated for a student attending any technical/trade school and three scholarships will be designated for any degree granting college or university within the United States. (Note: In the absence of technical/trade school applicants, all four awards will go to students attending a degree granting college or university.)
The awardees will need to provide confirmation of enrollment to include their student ID number and payment information as payments will be made direct to each institution.
It is open to Illinois residents who are currently a senior at an accredited Illinois high school in the class of 2026. In addition, the applicant must be one or more of the following:
• A child, stepchild, grandchild, or great grandchild of a member of the American Legion Post 43, Chapter 43 Legion Riders, or Sons of the Legion Squadron 43.
• A member of Scout Troop 510 or Scout Troop 507.
• A participant of a Naperville American Legion Post 43 Oratorical, Essay, or Poppy Poster Contest.
• America Legion Post 43 school award recipients from Naperville Junior High Schools.
• A selectee to attend the Illinois Premier Boys State or Illini Girls State under the sponsorship of Naperville American Legion Post 43.
• The child of a Naperville military veteran who, while a resident and on active duty, was killed or suffered a disability of 50% or more as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The selection criteria includes: academic achievement (GPA; high school transcript required); and a letter to the board listing accomplishments in the following areas: leadership and participation in school and/or community activities; honors; community service; and patriotic involvement.
Applicants must submit an essay describing the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society. The essay shall be the original work of the student with appropriate footnotes to cite work.
The essay, not longer than three typed pages, should be formatted with one-inch margins, 1.5 line spacing and 12-point font. The board will grade each essay based on grammar, spelling, originality, context, and content at a level consistent with exceptional high school work.
Send all required material listed above with supporting documentation to todd.bertulis@gmail.com. Please title the email “American Legion Post #43 Scholarship documentation.” Include your name, address, phone number and email address for contact information.
Applications must be received by May 1, 2026.
The decision of the scholarship committee judges is final, and all applicants will receive written notification that a decision has been reached. The winners will be notified by telephone; the presentation the awards will take place at the American Legion general meeting in Naperville the first week of June 2026.
Questions, contact Todd Bertulis at (618) 250-3683 or at todd.bertulis@gmail.com