Jesse Brown Memorial Scholarship

The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program encourages young volunteers to play active roles in the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) programs. It recognizes outstanding young volunteers who give of their time by awarding annual scholarships that may be used to continue their education. The Disabled American Veterans has awarded 75 scholarships worth $493,000 since the inception of the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program in 2000.

Students may volunteer in a wide range of activities at local VA medical centers. Some of these opportunities may include:

Audiology and Speech Pathology

Extended Care

Information Technology

Laboratory Medicine

Medical Administration

Medical Illustration

Nursing

Nutrition and Food Service

Outpatient/Ambulatory Care Activities

Occupational Therapy

Patient Escort

Pharmacy

Physical Therapy

Research

Social Work

Some of the benefits of volunteering at your local VA medical center may include:

Scholarships for college

Job experience

Health care career possibilities

Providing assistance to hospitalized veterans

Completing high school volunteerism requirements

Community involvement

Eligibility

1. Scholarships can be awarded to any volunteer who is age 21 or younger and has volunteered for a minimum of 100 hours at a VA medical center during the previous calendar year. All volunteer hours must be credited to the Disabled American Veterans.

2. Scholarships can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning; to include universities, colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, etc.

3. Scholarships must be utilized in full prior to the recipient attaining the age of 25, or within 6 years of receiving the scholarship, whichever is later.

Immediate family members of the DAV national organization are eligible to receive a scholarship.

Nominations for this award may be submitted by the Voluntary Service Program Manager at the VA medical center, DAV Department Commander, or the student may complete a self-nomination form which is available on-line. If you are submitting your own nomination, please include an essay discussing "What volunteering at a VA medical center means to you." (Essay should be 750 words or less).

All nomination packets should include a nomination form, essay, and any supporting documentation which you would like to have considered by the Selection Committee.

Applications for the 2007 Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program will be accepted between September 1, 2006 and February 27, 2007.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a Volunteer Registration Form that you can obtain at any VA facility. Make sure you review the eligibility requirements before you apply for this program.

Completed forms should be mailed to:

Disabled American Veterans
National Service and Legislative Headquarters
Voluntary Services Department
807 Maine Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20024

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