VFW-SVA LEGISLATIVE FELLOWSHIP 2026

The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship 2026–2027 is an annual opportunity for exemplary VFW members who are student veterans to develop advocacy and leadership skills while engaging directly with members of Congress and working on veterans’ policy issues.

The fellowship is offered by Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and Student Veterans of America (SVA).

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship 2026–2027 Overview

Opportunity	Details
Fellowship	VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship
Eligible applicants	Student veterans
Application opens	August 1, 2026
Application deadline	September 15, 2026
Programme duration	October 2026 – March 2027
Location	United States / Washington, D.C.
Travel	Fully covered for the two fellowship trips
Majors	All majors
Organization	Student Veterans of America and VFW

About the Fellowship

Since 2014, the VFW and SVA Legislative Fellowship has provided student veterans with an opportunity to engage directly with members of Congress on important veterans’ issues.

Fellows can develop their advocacy skills, connect with national leaders and contribute to efforts aimed at influencing veterans’ policy.

The programme also provides an opportunity to represent fellow veterans and develop leadership experience in the veterans’ advocacy space.

What Fellows Will Receive

Selected fellows will have the opportunity to:

Collaborate with VFW and SVA on a shared legislative priority
Meet with congressional leadership
Engage with congressional committee staff
Participate in advocacy meetings with VFW advocates from their state
Develop advocacy and leadership skills
Build relationships with national leaders
Participate in major veterans’ policy events

Travel Expenses Covered

The fellowship covers travel expenses for both programme trips, including:

Airfare
Hotel accommodation
Local transportation to and from meetings
Per diem allowance

The two trips include:

SVA 19th Annual NatCon in January 2027

VFW Washington Conference in Washington, D.C. in March 2027

Who Can Apply?

To apply for the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, applicants must:

Be a current or eligible member of the VFW
Be enrolled at an accredited college or university during the fellowship
Provide proof of enrollment, such as an unofficial transcript, class schedule or college letter
Provide proof of military service, with a DD214 preferred

Applicants submitting a DD214 are instructed to redact their Social Security number before submission.

The programme is open to all academic majors, and some participants may be eligible to receive college credit.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit several materials as part of the application.

1. Essay

Applicants must submit a 3–5 page essay addressing:

Why veteran advocacy is important to them
How they plan to use their existing networks to advance advocacy goals
How their current experience shapes their approach
How the fellowship will help them develop as a leader in the veteran space

2. Video

Applicants must submit a 30–60 second video explaining:

Their interest in the fellowship
What attracts them to the programme
How the fellowship aligns with their personal and professional goals
What they hope to gain
What they hope to contribute

3. Enrollment Verification

Applicants must provide an unofficial transcript or other proof of enrollment.

4. Resume

A current resume is required.

5. Interview

Applicants may participate in a virtual or telephone interview with the selection committee.

Key Dates

Application opens: August 1, 2026

Application deadline: September 15, 2026

Fellowship period: October 2026 – March 2027

SVA 19th Annual NatCon: January 2027

VFW Washington Conference: March 2027

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit their application through the Student Veterans of America application portal.

Apply for the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship

You can also review the programme information on the official Student Veterans of America website.

Student Veterans of America VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship

Important Note

The source provided does not state a separate fellowship salary or stipend. Instead, it specifically confirms that travel expenses for the two fellowship trips are covered, including airfare, accommodation, local transportation and a per diem allowance.

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