Scholarship

Applications for the Class of 2026 are now closed!

The Foundation will be awarding two $1,000.00 scholarships for post-high school education (college, university or trade school) at its Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 25th, 2026.

Eligibility

Applicant must:

· be a New Jersey resident

· be a graduating high school senior

· have visited the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial (on their own /class trip/ scholarship tour) and write essay about that visit.

· have been accepted by a college, university or trade school and upload letter of acceptance.

Application Pieces

· A reflective essay focused on the student’s experience visiting the Memorial

· A completed online application form,

· A letter of acceptance to a college, university or trade school to be uploaded

· Completed online application must be submitted by 4:00pm, Friday, April 24, 2026.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE ONLY.

MAILED AND DROPPED OFF PAPER SUBMSSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Important To Note:

· Applications are only accepted ONLINE (link is on our website – www.njvvmf.org) · Questions will only be answered through our email address: [email protected]

· QUESTIONS VIA PHONE CALLS AND DROP INS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Scholarship Tours

During scholarship season, two tours leave from the Museum lobby at 11:00am and 1:00pm each Saturday also available Tuesday through Friday, must call for availability for tours during the week No registration is necessary and tours of the Memorial are free. If you choose to visit the Museum after or before your tour, admission fees will apply.

Scholarship Selection

The Scholarship Committee will select two winners from all eligible applications. The winners will be notified by Friday, May 15, 2026. Those not selected will not receive any form of notification. The winners will be required to submit confirmation of enrollment to a college, university or trade school in the form of an enrollment deposit. The winners must attend the Foundation’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 11:00am, Monday, May 25, 2026 and read their essays as part of the Ceremony. Checks will be awarded as part of the Ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Scholarship Program

What is a reflective essay?

A reflective essay is an essay in which the writer examines his or her experiences in life. The writer then writes about those experiences, exploring how he or she has changed, developed or grown from those experiences. The format of a reflective essay may change slightly depending on who the audience is.

Where can I see examples of winning essays? www.njvvmf.org

Please note: Your essay should be about the Memorial. It can include discussion of the Museum, but the main content should focus on your experience during the tour and/or of the Memorial.

Can I call with questions?

The Foundation staff may ONLY be reached via EMAIL at [email protected] with questions. Phone calls regarding the program are not accepted. Please read through this document before contacting a staff member via email.

Can I mail or walk in my application?

Applications are only accepted ONLINE at njvvmf.org .

A letter of acceptance is required, what if I haven’t decided where I am going to school yet?

While a letter is required, it does not have to be from the school you have decided on attending, just an acceptance to a college, university or trade school. If you are selected as a winner, you will have to submit proof in the form of an admission deposit to the school you have decided on.

When are scholarship tours?

Tours with our Vietnam Veterans are given every Saturday. Tours leave from the Museum lobby at 11:00am and 1:00pm, also during the week Tues through Friday, please call for availability during the week No registration is necessary, and tours of the Memorial are free. If you choose to visit the Museum after or before your tour, admission fees will apply.

How will you know that I visited?

It is easy to tell if a student has visited based on the content of their essay. We do not require any other proof of a visit.

Does a class field trip count as a visit?

Absolutely! If you visited the Memorial and Museum on a class trip, you can write your essay from that experience.

When will the winners be notified?

The Scholarship Committee will select two winners from all eligible applications. The winners will be notified by May 15, 2026. Those not selected will not receive any form of notification. If you do not hear from the Foundation’s staff by May 15th, you have not been selected. Please do not call our office to see if you have been chosen.

If you are not selected as a winner, you will not receive any correspondence from the Foundation. So, if you have not heard from us by May 15, 2026, it is safe to assume you have not been chosen to receive a scholarship.