Scholarships, Contests and Awards
For further details and deadlines, please contact our chapter regent. DAR members should notify their chapter of their participation. Entrants who are non-DAR members must be sponsored by a DAR Chapter.
DAR Scholarships
The NSDAR offers several scholarships for the general public and for DAR members, their children or descendants in many different undergraduate and graduate fields of study, including, but not limited to: medical doctor, nursing, occupational therapy, elementary or secondary teaching, law school, business, chemistry, math, music, science, English, American Studies, American history, political science, economics., U.S. government, American literature, American art history, archives management, historic preservation, music or culture. There are also several scholarships available for college-bound Native American youth at both the National and California State levels. Please contact the regent for more information.
For details on some of the National scholarships offered, go to the NSDAR Scholarship page. To access the DAR Scholarship Committee's online scholarship application portal, click here.
Constitution Week Poster Contest
DAR and non-DAR members are INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE Constitution Week Poster Contest. So, grab your favorite art tools and plan your project! All entries must be received by the chapter regent by January 1, 2023. Please inform the regent before beginning.
- The winning poster will be printed in the spring of 2023 and offered for sale at the DAR store.
- For this year's theme, the poster should illustrate/celebrate the spirit or meaning of the U.S. Constitution.
- Click here for Constitution Week Poster Contest Guidelines and form.
DAR American History Essay Contest
All grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students in a public, private, or parochial school, or those who are in registered home school programs are eligible. One essay at each grade level can be selected as the chapter winner and forwarded to the state competition. For more information, please visit the NSDAR's Essay Contests webpage. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin.
The TOPIC for 2022-2023: Essay Title: “Delegate to Second Continental Congress"
Reference: The Second Continental Congress met from May 10, 1775 - March 1, 1781, and included delegates from all thirteen colonies. This Congress was instrumental in shaping what was to become the United States of America. Imagine that you are a delegate during 1775-1776. Which colony are you from and what will be important for you to accomplish for your colony?
Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest
In 2021, NSDAR established a new high school-level essay contest focused on figures of the American Revolution, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in public, private, or parochial schools, or those who are in registered home school programs. All grades will be judged together, with one winner chosen. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, sex, or national origin. For more information, please visit the NSDAR's Essay Contests webpage.
The TOPIC for 2022-2023: Select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783). Discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation. Figures may be any person, whether a well-known figure or an everyday man, woman, or child who supported the American Revolution in ways large or small. The title of the essay should be the name of the Patriot.
All grades are judged together and one chapter winning essay is submitted to state chairs of American History; state winners are forwarded to the division vice chairs for judging; division winners are forwarded to the National Vice Chair for the Patriots of the American Revolution Essay. First, second, and third place winners are selected.
Students are encouraged to use primary sources (i.e., immediate, first-hand accounts such as letters, diaries, speeches or newspaper reports) for their research, lesser well-known figures are acceptable, but subjects must have been actual participants, i.e. not fictionalized.
DAR Good Citizens
Each year the Santa Monica Chapter, NSDAR, honors local high school seniors with the DAR Good Citizens award. The recipients of this award are chosen by their teachers, counselors, and peers. Along with the honor of the award, the recipient receives a DAR Good Citizens pin and certificate. This student is then eligible to enter the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship Contest. For more information, please visit the DAR Good Citizens webpage.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and Junior ROTC (JROTC) Awards
Every Spring, our chapter presents ROTC medals to outstanding high school and college cadets in the local area. For more information, please visit the NSDAR Medals webpage.
Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans Award
This award is presented to a DAR member in recognition of her outstanding care given to veterans in any of the following areas: Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, state veterans facilities, nursing homes, shelters, and outpatient clinics. The Outstanding Veterans Volunteer has given more than her time. She has made meaningful contributions to veterans through creative and resourceful outreach.
Outstanding Teacher of American History
The Outstanding Teacher of American History contest honors full-time teachers of American history, government, or civics for grades five through twelve. Our chapter's nominee won the national competition to become the NSDAR 2021 Outstanding Teacher of American History. See more in our NEWS webpage.