KBS 2025

KBS 2025 will be held at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA, from Sunday, June 15 to Saturday, June 21, 2025. For more details, please click the Apply Now button at the top of the page.

Who is Eligible?

Male residents of Pennsylvania who have completed their junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining.

  • Only young men with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service to their school and community are to be considered.

  • Any individual who has previously attended a Boys State program is not eligible to attend a second session.

  • In the actual selection process, merit and ability are the two most important factors considered. Keystone Boys State is an equal opportunity program to all qualified candidates. Program fees are paid by American Legion Posts and the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania, with little or no expense to a young man and his family. 

Samsung Scholarship

The Samsung American Legion Scholarship was established by worldwide electronics leader Samsung to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea's aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War.

Award Amounts

Samsung scholarships may be used for undergraduate studies and applied toward tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Winners are selected according to academic record, involvement in school and community service.

  • Ten National Scholars receive $10,000 each (two from each region)

  • Ten National Runners-Up receive $5,000 each (two from each region)

  • Remaining Department Finalists receive $1,250 each guaranteed

Eligibility

Scholarship applications are restricted to high school juniors who attend the current session of either The American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program and are a direct descendant—i.e. child, grandchild, great grandchild, etc.—or a legally adopted child of an individual who served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since December 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged or is still serving.

Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War Veterans will receive 3 bonus points.

Applicants with membership to the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion will receive a bonus point. Or, they can receive a bonus point by uploading a membership card of a parent. No more than one bonus point for an application.

How to Apply

Details on how to apply, including the application form and lists of acceptable proof of service documentation, can be found on the American Legion website.

Applications must be completed online, prior to arrival at Keystone Boys State. However, we request that you also bring a printed copy of your application with you to KBS registration on 15 June 2025.

Other Scholarships

The Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion and the Pennsylvania Detachment of the Sons of the American Legion have created several scholarships recognizing the most outstanding participants in KBS each year:

  • KBS Governor: $1000

  • KBS Lieutenant Governor: $1000

  • Boys Nation Senators: $1000 for each of the two Senators

  • Esprit de Corps Award: $500 to the citizen who does the most to contribute to the overall success of their city and the KBS program, as identified by their fellow citizens.

The winners of these scholarships are announced at the conclusion of the KBS program.

A week that shapes a lifetime.