Build Your Resume by Helping Veterans on a National Level

Student Fellowship

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 eligibility
• Current enrollment at an accredited college or university
• Any major is eligible to apply and some majors are eligible for academic credit

Student veterans interested in applying must complete an application package that includes an essay proposal on one of four specific legislative issues. The proposal should include a discussion of why the 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. 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.

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship opportunities are open to VFW members in good standing who are currently enrolled as students at accredited colleges and universities approved for GI Bill® ( GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. ) benefits. Visit vfw.org/eligibility for more information on membership. Student veterans enrolled at CCRI are also encouraged to apply. Other local SVA Chapters include Brown University, Bryant University, CCRI, RIC, Roger Williams University, and URI. 

For the application essay proposal, applicants must select one of the following veterans’ issues to write about: 

• Student veteran success on campus and beyond
• Improving veteran’s health care and benefits
• The transition from military to civilian life 
• Challenges for service members and military families 

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.

The application period for the 2020 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship program is currently open! All applications must be submitted by close-of-business Sept. 30.

APPLY HERE