VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship 2026–2027: Student Veterans Can Advocate on Capitol Hill with Travel Costs Covered

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship, an annual leadership and public-policy programme created by Student Veterans of America (SVA) in partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW).

Running from October 2026 through March 2027, the fellowship gives selected student veterans the opportunity to develop practical advocacy skills, engage directly with policymakers, research issues affecting veterans and military-affiliated communities, and bring the perspectives of student veterans into national policy discussions.

Fellows will work alongside SVA and VFW leaders on legislative priorities, participate in major advocacy activities, meet congressional leadership and committee staff, and travel to key events including SVA’s 19th Annual National Conference and the VFW Washington Conference.

Importantly, the programme covers fellowship-related travel expenses for the required trips, including airfare, accommodation, local transportation and a per diem allowance.

Applications opened on 1 August 2026 and must be submitted by 15 September 2026.

About the VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship

The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship is a collaborative initiative of Student Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Established in 2014, the programme was created to give student veterans a structured opportunity to translate their military experience, academic development and community engagement into meaningful policy advocacy.

Rather than functioning solely as a classroom-based policy programme, the fellowship places participants directly into the world of veterans’ advocacy and government relations.

Selected fellows learn how policy priorities are developed, communicated and advanced while gaining opportunities to interact with policymakers and national veteran-service leaders.

The fellowship is particularly intended for student veterans who want to strengthen their ability to represent their peers and contribute to policy conversations affecting:

• Veterans
• Student veterans
• Active-duty service members
• Military-affiliated students
• Military families
• Survivors
• Veteran communities more broadly

Programme Duration

The 2026–2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship runs from October 2026 through March 2027.

During this period, fellows will participate in activities designed to build their knowledge of federal policy, leadership, advocacy and veterans’ affairs.

Two major fellowship-related trips are planned:

SVA 19th Annual NatCon

Fellows will travel to Student Veterans of America’s 19th Annual National Conference in January 2027.

NatCon brings together student veterans, chapter leaders, universities, employers, partner organisations and other stakeholders connected to the student-veteran community.

VFW Washington Conference

Fellows will also attend the VFW Washington Conference in Washington, D.C., in March 2027.

This component gives participants an opportunity to engage directly in legislative advocacy and interact with congressional offices and policy leaders.

What Fellows Will Do

Selected participants will take part in a range of advocacy, leadership and policy-development activities.

Work on a Legislative Priority

Fellows will collaborate with VFW and SVA on a shared legislative priority relevant to veterans and military-affiliated communities.

The programme provides an opportunity to understand how policy issues move from community concerns to research, advocacy strategies and engagement with government decision-makers.

Engage with Congressional Leaders

One of the programme’s central components is direct engagement with policymakers.

Fellows may meet with:

• Members of Congress
• Congressional leadership
• Committee staff
• Legislative staff
• Veteran-policy advocates
• Other stakeholders working on veterans’ affairs

These engagements can help fellows better understand how federal policymaking operates and how effective advocacy can influence policy outcomes.

Participate in Team-Based Advocacy

Participants will join VFW advocates from their states for advocacy meetings.

This allows fellows to experience legislative engagement not simply as individuals, but as part of coordinated advocacy teams representing veteran interests.

Develop Advocacy Skills

The fellowship is designed to strengthen participants’ abilities to:

• Communicate policy priorities effectively
• Present compelling arguments
• Engage with policymakers
• Research veterans’ issues
• Build advocacy networks
• Translate lived experience into policy recommendations
• Represent veteran communities professionally

Travel Costs Covered

A particularly valuable feature of the fellowship is that required travel expenses associated with the two major programme trips are covered.

The programme states that travel support includes:

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

The covered trips include participation in the January 2027 SVA National Conference and the March 2027 VFW Washington Conference.

Applicants should note that the supplied programme information describes travel support rather than a general fellowship stipend.

Open to Students from All Academic Majors

The fellowship is open to all majors.

Applicants therefore do not necessarily need to study political science, international relations, public policy, law or another traditionally policy-oriented subject.

A student veteran studying engineering, business, education, science, health, humanities, technology or another discipline may still be eligible if they satisfy the programme’s membership, enrolment and military-service requirements.

The programme also notes that some participants may be able to receive college credit, although candidates should confirm any academic-credit arrangements with their own institution.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy several core requirements.

To apply, candidates must:

• Be a current or eligible member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Be enrolled at an accredited college or university during the fellowship
• Provide proof of current student enrolment
• Provide proof of military service

The programme is specifically designed for student veterans who can bring both their military experience and current academic perspective into policy advocacy.

Proof of Enrolment

Applicants must demonstrate that they are enrolled at an accredited college or university during the fellowship period.

Acceptable documentation may include:

• An unofficial academic transcript
• A class schedule
• A letter from the college or university confirming enrolment

Applicants should make sure the document clearly demonstrates their current student status.

Proof of Military Service

Candidates must also provide evidence of military service.

The programme identifies the DD214 as the preferred form of documentation.

Applicants submitting a DD214 are specifically instructed to redact their Social Security Number before uploading the document.

This is an important privacy and security step and should be completed before submission.

Application Requirements

Applying for the fellowship involves more than completing a short online form.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate their interest in veteran advocacy, their leadership potential and their ability to communicate clearly.

1. Three-to-Five-Page Essay

Applicants must prepare a 3–5 page essay addressing several areas.

The essay should explain:

• Why veteran advocacy is important to the applicant
• How the applicant plans to use existing networks to advance advocacy goals
• How their current experience has shaped their approach to advocacy
• How participation in the fellowship would contribute to their development as a leader in the veteran community

Candidates should use this essay to connect their military experience, student experience, community involvement and future aspirations.

Specific examples will likely be more persuasive than general statements about leadership or public service.

2. Short Video

Applicants must also submit a 30–60 second video.

The video should explain:

• Why the applicant is interested in the fellowship
• What specifically attracts them to the programme
• How the fellowship connects with their personal and professional goals
• What they hope to gain
• What they hope to contribute as a fellow

Because the video is short, applicants should plan a concise message rather than attempting to repeat the entire written essay.

3. Proof of Enrolment

Applicants need to submit an unofficial transcript or another acceptable form of enrolment verification.

4. Resume

A current resume must be included.

Applicants should consider highlighting relevant experience such as:

• Military service
• Leadership
• Student-veteran organisation involvement
• Campus activities
• Community service
• Public-policy engagement
• Volunteer work
• Advocacy experience
• Professional experience

5. Proof of Military Service

Military-service documentation is required, with the DD214 identified as the preferred document.

Applicants should redact sensitive personal information where instructed.

6. Selection Interview

Candidates who progress through the application process may participate in a virtual or telephone interview with the selection committee.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss their interest in veteran advocacy, their leadership experience and what they hope to contribute to the fellowship.

Key Dates

Applicants should note the following schedule:

• Applications open: 1 August 2026
• Application deadline: 15 September 2026
• Fellowship duration: October 2026–March 2027
• SVA 19th Annual NatCon: January 2027
• VFW Washington Conference: March 2027

Applications must be submitted by 15 September 2026.

How to Apply

Interested student veterans should submit their application through the official Student Veterans of America fellowship portal.

APPLY HERE

Applicants can also review the complete programme information HERE.

Candidates should carefully review all instructions before uploading documents, particularly the requirements for the essay, video, enrolment verification and military-service documentation.

Why the Fellowship Matters

Student veterans occupy a distinctive position within higher education and the broader veteran community.

They bring lived military experience into colleges and universities while simultaneously navigating academic, professional and civilian transitions.

The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship creates a mechanism through which these experiences can inform policy conversations.

Since its creation in 2014, the programme has helped student veterans develop experience in:

• Legislative advocacy
• Government relations
• Civic leadership
• Veterans policy
• Public service
• Nonprofit advocacy

Former fellows have continued into leadership roles across public service, higher education, nonprofit advocacy and veterans’ services.

The programme therefore provides not only a short-term advocacy experience but also an opportunity to build skills and professional networks relevant to longer-term careers in public policy and service.

About Student Veterans of America

Student Veterans of America is a nonprofit organisation focused on supporting and empowering student veterans.

SVA operates through a network of more than 1,600 campus chapters across all 50 U.S. states and four countries, representing a community of nearly 600,000 student veterans.

Its work includes programmes related to:

• Education
• Leadership development
• Advocacy
• Research
• Career development
• Campus support
• Professional networking

The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship forms part of SVA’s wider effort to ensure student veterans have opportunities to develop leadership skills and participate meaningfully in public life.

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars

Founded in 1899, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is one of the United States’ largest and longest-established veterans service organisations.

Its membership consists of eligible veterans and military personnel from active-duty, Guard and Reserve forces.

The organisation has more than 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members and over 6,000 Posts worldwide.

The VFW works across areas including:

• Veterans services
• Legislative advocacy
• Military support
• Community service
• Veteran benefits
• Policy representation

Its partnership with SVA helps connect student veterans with an established national advocacy network.

Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application

Candidates should begin preparing well before the September deadline because several different materials are required.

Before submitting an application:

1. Confirm that you are a current or eligible VFW member.
2. Verify that you will remain enrolled at an accredited college or university during the fellowship.
3. Prepare appropriate proof of enrolment.
4. Locate your military-service documentation.
5. Redact your Social Security Number from your DD214 before submission.
6. Update your resume with relevant leadership, service and advocacy experience.
7. Begin drafting the 3–5 page essay early.
8. Use specific examples to demonstrate why veteran advocacy matters to you.
9. Plan and rehearse the 30–60 second application video.
10. Explain both what you hope to gain from the programme and what you can contribute.
11. Submit before the final deadline rather than waiting until the last day.

The strongest applications are likely to demonstrate a clear connection between the applicant’s experiences and their commitment to improving opportunities for veterans and military-affiliated communities.

Conclusion

The 2026–2027 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship provides student veterans with an opportunity to move beyond observing the policymaking process and participate directly in national veterans advocacy.

Running from October 2026 through March 2027, the fellowship combines policy research, leadership development, congressional engagement, networking and hands-on legislative advocacy.

Selected fellows will collaborate with Student Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars, attend the SVA National Conference, participate in the VFW Washington Conference and engage with congressional leaders and staff.

Travel-related expenses for both major fellowship trips are covered, including airfare, lodging, local transportation and per diem.

Applicants must be current or eligible VFW members and enrolled at an accredited college or university during the programme. Applications require an essay, a short video, enrolment verification, a resume and proof of military service.

The application deadline is 15 September 2026.

For student veterans interested in public policy, civic leadership, government affairs and veteran advocacy, the fellowship offers a direct pathway to turn personal experience into meaningful policy engagement.

For more information and to apply, VISIT HERE.

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