VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
This annual program provides exemplary VFW members who are student veterans the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and in their community.
To continue empowering tomorrow’s leaders, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA) will once again host the 2023/2024 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, providing exemplary student veterans the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and in their community. This program has been held annually since 2014.
Candidates will undergo evaluation based on the following criteria:
- Current VFW membership (or eligible for VFW membership)
- Proof of current enrollment (e.g. unofficial transcript, class schedule, letter from school, etc.) at an accredited college or university during the fellowship program
- Proof of military service (DD214-member 4 copy, preferred). Click here to make sure you are protecting your personal information on your DD214.
- This program is open to all majors, and some may be eligible for college credits.
- Submission of an essay (length 3-5 pages)
- Explain the importance of advocacy for veterans’ issues
- Submission of a 30 to 60 second video describing why you want to become a VFW-SVA Legislative Fellow. For help with your video submission, click here.
- Virtual or phone interview with the selection committee
The 2023/2024 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program is scheduled from October 2023 to March 2024. Chosen Fellows will work with VFW and SVA staff on a shared policy priority. Fellows will travel to NATCON 2024 in January and the 2024 VFW National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. in March. During the VFW event, they will engage with Congress members, educating them on the challenges faced by today’s veterans. Fellows can also join VFW advocates from their respective states and form teams to directly meet with the leadership from the committees responsible for veterans’ issues, including the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.
Travel expenses will be covered for both trips to include airfare, hotel accommodations, local transportation to/from meetings and a per diem allowance.
The deadline for applications is September 6, 2023.