DAR takes pride in its role in educating children at all levels from elementary school through graduate school through its many contests, activities, awards, and scholarships. Once students approach college age, the National and Indiana Societies along with the Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter, NSDAR, offer a wide range of scholarships to further their education.
National Society DAR Scholarships
Each year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education in diverse areas of study including history, economics, law, political science, medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, elementary and secondary education, chemistry, math, science, and English.
DAR’s scholarships are awarded and judged without regard to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability.
The Indiana Society DAR Scholarship
The Indiana State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, will award, at minimum, a $500 award to a deserving applicant. Applicants must be a resident of the United States and must attend or plan to attend an institution of higher learning located within the state of Indiana. Eligible institutions may include colleges, universities, technical schools, or schools offering certificate or licensure programs. All applicants must obtain a letter of sponsorship from their local DAR chapter.
The selection of the recipient is based on academic excellence, extra-curricular participation, community involvement, commitment to a field of study, and financial need. No DAR affiliation is required.
To obtain an application, please submit a request here.
DAR Good Citizen Contest
The Daughters of the American Revolution created the DAR Good Citizen contest in 1934. The competition was developed to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship in high school students and is open to all senior class students enrolled in accredited public or private secondary schools. Participating high schools in Allen County currently include Bishop Dwenger, Bishop Luers, Blackhawk Christian, Canterbury, Carroll, Concordia, Heritage, Homestead, Leo, New Haven, North Side, Northrop, Snider, South Side, Wayne, and Woodlan. Interested senior students should contact their guidance counselor or principal for details about participation.
The local DAR Good Citizen Contest consists of two parts.
- Part I (Personal) asks students to describe how they manifest the qualities of a good citizen. This essay may be completed at home and is to be submitted together with a copy of the student's official grade transcript and two letters of recommendation; one from a close adult associate (other than school faculty) such as a minister, an employer, a scout or 4-H leader, and the second from a school faculty member such as a teacher, coach, music instructor, guidance counselor.
- Part II (Essay) under the supervision of a faculty or a DAR member, the students complete a topical essay. Students must complete the piece in one sitting, within a two-hour time limit, and without assistance or reference material.
Part I represents 70 percent, and Part ll represents 30 percent of the total contest scores. Community members who are not DAR members evaluate each contest entry.
Each Allen County school winner receives a DAR Good Citizen Pin, Certificate, and Wallet Recognition Card, as well as a small table size American Flag. The authors of the local first-, second-, and third-place essays receive cash awards. Winners are encouraged to use these unrestricted awards for college expenses. Local DAR Good Citizen Contest winners may receive additional recognition and scholarships at the state and national levels of judging.