Tony Lopez Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1071
Thank you for your interest in the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1071 Scholarship Program.
Overview
- Three scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded.
Who is eligible
To apply you must:
- Be the child or grandchild of a U.S. active-duty service member or a U.S. military veteran (living or deceased).
- Have been accepted to an accredited college, trade, or technical school.
- Be a graduate of a Colorado high school or a current Colorado college student — or the veteran relative must be a Colorado resident.
- Not have previously received a Chapter 1071 Scholarship.
- Prepare a non–AI-assisted essay and present in person at a VVA Chapter 1071 meeting.
- Submit a completed VVA Chapter 1071 Scholarship Application by January 31, 2026.
Essay requirements
- Length: up to 1,000 words.
- Cite sources used.
- Extra credit will be given if you interview a veteran and incorporate the interview content into your essay.
- The essay must be written from your own perspective; if you include personal opinions, clearly indicate they are yours (do not write from the veteran’s point of view).
- AI tools must not be used to generate the essay.
Approved essay topics (choose one)
A. Your view on the United States’ decision to enter the Vietnam War.
B. If a family member is a Vietnam veteran, explain how that has affected your family.
C. What measures could address the crisis of veteran suicide?
D. What factors have shaped the average American’s modern perception of the Vietnam War and its veterans?
Selection process and obligations
- Preference will be given to descendants of Vietnam veterans, with special consideration for members of VVA Chapter 1071.
- Applicants may be invited to a personal or video interview with the Scholarship Committee.
- Winners will be notified by phone or email.
- Scholarship recipients will be required to read their essays at a VVA General Meeting (held at 10:00 AM on the third Saturday of each month in Lakewood, CO).
Questions / Help contacting a veteran
If you need assistance locating a veteran to interview, contact Jerry Zimmer at 303-886-4233 or director12@vva1071.org.
Please ensure your application and essay meet all requirements and are submitted by January 31, 2026. Good luck.