USA Scholarships
Bernice Murray Scholarship 2027 - Vermont
The Bernice Murray Scholarship gives Vermont single parents up to $4,000 toward child care so they can stay enrolled in undergraduate study. Senator James Jeffords and colleagues created the award to honor Bernice Murray''s work for Vermont families; VSAC runs the process through MyVSAC and the Unified Scholarship Application. You need primary custody of at least one child twelve or younger, half-time enrollment at a Title IV-approved school, and documented financial need on FAFSA. VSAC estimated about eleven applicants competing for roughly four awards in recent booklets. File essay #1, one recommendation from a non-relative, and a child care worksheet listing providers, hours, and weekly costs. The standard Vermont window applies: USA opens October 1, 2026 and closes February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 enrollment.
What is the Bernice Murray Scholarship?
Balancing lectures and bedtime stories is expensive, and Vermont built this scholarship so single parents do not have to choose between child care and credits. The Bernice Murray Scholarship sends up to $4,000 toward day care or after-school care while you work toward an undergraduate degree at least half time.
Senator James Jeffords and the Federal Executives'' Association named the fund for Bernice Murray, who spent years helping Vermonters navigate federal programs from Jeffords'' office. VSAC now handles every application through the same Unified Scholarship Application pipeline as dozens of other state funds, which means one MyVSAC login can cover Murray plus grants you might not have noticed in the booklet.
The competition pool stays small compared with national awards. Recent VSAC estimates showed roughly eleven applicants chasing about four scholarships, so a tight essay and a recommendation that mentions your parenting load can matter as much as your FAFSA numbers. Child care paperwork is the piece applicants forget: VSAC wants provider contact info, weekly hours per child, and real dollar costs, not a guess scribbled the night before the deadline.
Plan on the February 11 cutoff that governs most VSAC-assisted programs for the 2027-2028 year, with the USA opening October 1 the prior fall. Stack the Murray award with need-based aid like the Horatio Alger Scholarship USA 2027 if you qualify nationally, or browse other Vermont guides such as the Amy Lowenstein Scholarship Vermont 2027 for county-specific funds. Official steps and booklet downloads sit at VSAC Scholarships.
Eligibility
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✓Vermont residencyVSAC-assisted scholarships require Vermont residency unless the booklet states otherwise. You must be a Vermont resident when you apply through the Unified Scholarship Application.
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✓Single parent with young childrenYou must be a single parent with primary custody of at least one child who is twelve years of age or younger. Joint custody arrangements that do not meet VSAC's primary-custody rule do not qualify.
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✓Undergraduate degree pursuitPlan to seek or continue an undergraduate degree. Graduate programs, certificate-only tracks without a bachelor's path, and non-degree coursework are outside this scholarship.
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✓Half-time enrollment minimumEnroll at least half time at an accredited college or university approved for federal Title IV funding, such as Pell Grants and Direct Loans. VSAC ties disbursement to continued half-time status.
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✓Financial need on FAFSADemonstrate financial need using FAFSA data linked in MyVSAC. Complete the FAFSA for the aid year before the February deadline so VSAC can review your Student Aid Index.
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✓U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizenMeet federal student aid citizenship rules, the same standard VSAC applies to other state-assisted scholarships that require FAFSA.
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✓Title IV-eligible institutionAttend a school that participates in federal Title IV programs. Community colleges, four-year universities, and many approved online programs qualify when they appear on your FAFSA school list.
Benefits
- Maximum award Up to $4,000 per scholarship
- Allowed use Child care expenses
- Number of awards One or more per cycle
- Selection factors Need, essay, recommendation
- Disbursement Paid to student via VSAC
- Tuition and fees Not covered by this fund
- Graduate study Undergraduate only
Document checklist
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✓Unified Scholarship Application (USA)Complete the USA in MyVSAC and select scholarship ID MURRAY so reviewers route your file to the Bernice Murray committee.
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✓FAFSA for the aid yearFile FAFSA after October 1, 2026 and authorize VSAC to import need data for the 2027-2028 award cycle.
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✓Recommendation letter #1Submit one letter from a non-relative who can speak to your character, parenting responsibilities, and commitment to finishing your degree.
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✓Essay #1 (general essay)Use VSAC essay #1 to explain your educational goals, financial situation, and how child care costs affect your ability to stay in school. Follow the booklet word limit.
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✓Child care information formList current or planned day care provider name, address, and phone. Include each child's age, weekly hours in care, total weekly child care cost, and the name and age of your youngest custodial child.
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✓MyVSAC enrollment plansDocument half-time or full-time enrollment at your Title IV college for the term you request aid. Update MyVSAC if your schedule changes after you submit.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Bernice Murray Scholarship?
It is a VSAC-administered Vermont scholarship that pays up to $4,000 toward child care for single parents who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at least half time. The fund honors Bernice Murray, longtime aide to former U.S. Senator James Jeffords.
Who qualifies for the Bernice Murray Scholarship?
You must be a Vermont resident, a single parent with primary custody of at least one child age twelve or younger, enrolled at least half time in an undergraduate program at a Title IV-eligible college, and show financial need on FAFSA.
How much is the Bernice Murray Scholarship worth?
VSAC lists one or more scholarships of up to $4,000 each per cycle, applied to child care expenses rather than tuition. Actual award sizes depend on endowment yield and applicant pool.
When is the Bernice Murray Scholarship deadline?
For 2027-2028 aid, submit the Unified Scholarship Application and all required documents by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The USA typically opens October 1, 2026.
What VSAC ID do I use for the Bernice Murray Scholarship?
Enter MURRAY on the Unified Scholarship Application. The ID appears in the VSAC Scholarships and Forgivable Loans booklet above the Bernice Murray description.
Can the Bernice Murray Scholarship pay for tuition?
No. The booklet limits use to child care expenses. Pair this award with Vermont grants, Pell Grants, or other VSAC scholarships if you need tuition help.
What child care information does VSAC require?
Provide your provider's name, address, and phone, each child's age, weekly hours in care, total weekly cost, and the name and age of your youngest custodial child.
Can I use the Bernice Murray Scholarship at an out-of-state college?
Yes, if you remain a Vermont resident, stay enrolled at least half time, and attend a Title IV-approved school. VSAC does not restrict the Murray award to in-state campuses.
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