VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
This annual program provides 10 exemplary VFW members who are student veterans the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and in their community.
How to Apply
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related health guidance, certain components of the 2021 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, including but not limited to in-person interactions and events, are subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates.
In keeping with the VFW’s commitment to student veterans’ success, every year the VFW teams up with Student Veterans of America (SVA) to host the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program, providing 10 exemplary VFW members who are student veterans the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and in their community.
Candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Submission of an essay proposal based on one of four priority issues for the veterans’ community
- VFW membership
- Current enrollment at an accredited college or university
- Any major is eligible to apply and some majors are eligible for academic credit
Each applicant must submit a proposal that should include a discussion of why their chosen issue is important to the veteran community, and how the fellowship candidate plans to address the issue through federal policy solutions and community-based advocacy. Any major is eligible to apply and some majors are eligible for academic credit, per school guidance.
Selected fellows will then be flown to Washington to ensure the veterans’ voice is delivered to Capitol Hill alongside 500 fellow veteran advocates as part of the annual VFW Legislative Conference held in March.
Expenses covered for the fellowship include airfare, hotel accommodations, local transportation to/from meetings and a per diem allowance to participate in the VFW Legislative Conference. Applications for the 2021 Fellowship class will be accepted through October 31, 2020.