SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
at Minnesota Boys State

The Minnesota American Legion Boys State program & associated scholarship programs offer a total pool of over $15,000 in scholarships & awards per year for which Minnesota Boys State participants are eligible..

 

During the week of participation in Minnesota Legion Boys State, the Counselors will be evaluating all Boys Staters as possible candidates for special honors presented in memory of several Legionnaires who gave much of their time and talent to create and continue Boys State. These awards are given and each recognizes outstanding and exceptional participation and cooperation in the Boys State Program by the individual.

 

(Click gold triangle next to each award to expand for more detail.)

 

'Chic' Zwiener & Bill Zwiener Award

  

Awarded to the Overall Outstanding Boys Stater for the Minnesota American Legion Boys State program.

 

This honoree will be the Senior Senator from Minnesota at Boys Nation (in Washington, D.C.) and is the recipient of $1,000 scholarship for post-secondary education.

 

Myron & Dave Way Award

  

Awarded to Runner-Up Outstanding Boys Stater for the Minnesota American Legion Boys State program.

 

This honoree will be the Junior Senator from Minnesota at Boys Nation (in Washington, D.C.) and is the recipient of $1,000 scholarship for post-secondary education.

 

1st Director's Award

  

Awarded to 3rd Place Outstanding Boys Stater for the Minnesota American Legion Boys State program.

 

This honoree will be the 1st Alternate from Minnesota at Boys Nation (in Washington, D.C.) and is the recipient of $1,000 scholarship for post-secondary education.

 

2nd Director's Award

  

Awarded to 4th Place Outstanding Boys Stater for the Minnesota American Legion Boys State program.

 

This honoree will be the 2nd Alternate from Minnesota at Boys Nation (in Washington, D.C.) and is the recipient of $1,000 scholarship for post-secondary education.

 

Minnesota Boys State Governor's Award

  

Awarded to elected Governor for the Minnesota American Legion Boys State program.

 

This honoree is the recipient of $1,000 scholarship for post-secondary education.

 

Note: If this honoree is also selected in the top 4 awards, he will only receive one $1,000 scholarship.

 

Ferguson Award

  

Awarded to the top score of the Minnesota Boys State Test.

 

This honoree is the recipient of a $75 award. for their achievement

 

Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Presented by:

Samsung Logo  

Samsung, in recognition of the sacrifice and commitment of United States servicemen and women who served during the Korean War to maintain the security of the Korean peninsula, joined with The American Legion to offer an educational opportunity to the descendants of war-time Veterans who have served honorably. This scholarship is awarded to top score in Minnesota of the Samsung Scholarship application and they will be forwarded to National for national competition.

  • Ten National Scholars receive $10,000 scholarship each.
  • Ten National Runners-Up receive $5,000 scholarship each.
  • Remaining State Department Finalists received $1,250 scholarship each guaranteed.

Note: For the Samsung Scholarship, boys should complete the proper documentation and application online before coming to campus. (Detailed Info: Samsung Scholarship Information)

 

Past National Winners:

 

Minnesota Boys Staters have won over $200,000 in Samsung Scholarship money since the scholarship's inception in 1996. It is important to note that every year, Minnesota Boys State selects a statewide winner that receives a $1,250 scholarship. The state winner is then entered into a competition against all other state winners to be awarded 4 national scholarships worth between $5,000 (2) and $10,000 (2).

 

The following individuals won the national Samsung scholarship and are proud representatives of Minnesota Boys State:

  1. Austin DeCoch, Rochert, 1999
  2. James Martin, Columbia Heights, 2000
  3. Kyle Ubl, New Ulm, 2005
  4. Brady Waidel, New Ulm, 2007
  5. Tom Mealey, Bloomington, 2008
  6. Brett Ubl, New Ulm, 2009
  7. Adam Logeman, St. Cloud, 2010
  8. Troy Timmerman, Marshall, 2013
  9. Jonathan Mullen, Anoka, 2014
  10. Isaac Logeman, St. Cloud, 2015
  11. James Libbey, Saint Michael, 2016
  12. Aden Extrand, Nisswa, 2021
  13. Ashton Extrand, Nisswa, 2023

Full Samsung American Legion Scholarship Details:

 

Samsung, a worldwide leader in electronics, endowed a scholarship fund of five million dollars to be administered by The American Legion. The endowment was made to show appreciation to U.S. veterans who came to the aid of Korea during its struggle against communist forces during the Korean War. "The Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program" established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the $5,000,000 principal amount.

 

Eligibility:

 

High school juniors who participate in and complete either an American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program and be a direct descendant, i.e. child, grandchild, great grandchild, etc. or a legally adopted child, of a U.S. wartime veteran who served on active duty during one or more of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion by the United States government:

  • World War I-- April 6, 1917 until November 11, 1918;
  • World War II to Present -- December 7, 1941 until cessation of hostilities as determined by the United States government.
 

Scholarship:

 

The scholarship is for undergraduate study only and may be used for: tuition, books, fees, and room and board. The selection of the scholarship winners will be based, in part, upon the following criteria: academic record; involvement in school activities; involvement in community activities; community service; financial need and additional bonus points in the selection process will be awarded to descendants of U.S. veterans of the Korean War.

 

Note:

 

The Samsung application requires your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is a federal methodology used to help in determining financial aid requires. Please use this online calculator to determine your EFC.


 

Application:

 

In order to submit the Samsung Scholarship, please review your Minnesota Boys State acceptance paperwok and complete the interactive form ONLINE. Paper copies brought to the program will NOT be accepted and you will not be allowed to continue in the scholarship competition. If you cannot locate the form, you can find it here: Samsung Scholarship Information.