USA Scholarships
Edgar May Scholarship 2027 - Up to $1,000
The Edgar May Scholarship carries the name of a Vermont leader who spent decades pushing for people left out of easy paths to stability. VSAC awards one scholarship up to $1,000, when endowment earnings allow, to a high school senior in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, or Windsor County who faces real barriers to college and shows financial need. Plan full-time undergraduate study at a Title IV college anywhere in the U.S. or Canada that VSAC recognizes. Enter scholarship ID MAY on the Unified Scholarship Application, attach FAFSA results, essay #1, and recommendation letter #1 before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
What is the Edgar May Scholarship?
Edgar May spent a career arguing that Vermont should not write off young people who start far from privilege. This VSAC fund keeps that idea alive for high school seniors in five northeast counties who still hit walls on the way to college. The award is modest, often one scholarship up to $1,000, yet the applicant pool is large. VSAC estimated nearly two hundred files in a recent cycle chasing a single seat.
Your county matters as much as your GPA here. Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, and Windsor seniors compete together, and reviewers lean on FAFSA need, essay #1, and a non-relative recommendation to see who best fits May''s legacy. Barriers belong in the essay front and center, not as a vague footnote.
Full-time undergraduate study at a Title IV college can happen in Vermont or far from it. What you cannot skip is the Unified Scholarship Application with ID MAY, a complete FAFSA, and a February 11 deadline treated as final. Endowment rules mean VSAC may not fund every year, so apply on time and stack other VSAC scholarships you qualify for in the same USA.
Eligibility
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✓Northeast Vermont county residencyBe a current high school senior who resides in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, or Windsor County when you apply through VSAC.
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✓High school diploma or GED pathEarn a diploma or GED by the start of the academic year you request aid, matching standard VSAC rules for high school seniors.
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✓Barriers to postsecondary educationFace significant barriers or obstacles that limit your access to education after high school. Essay #1 is where you explain those obstacles clearly.
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✓Full-time undergraduate enrollmentSeek an associate or bachelor's degree and enroll full time at an accredited college approved for federal Title IV funding such as Pell Grants or Direct Loans.
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✓Demonstrated financial needComplete the FAFSA so VSAC can score need. Financial need weighs heavily alongside your essay and recommendation.
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✓Vermont resident and eligible citizenMeet VSAC residency rules for assisted scholarships and be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen unless the booklet lists a different rule.
Benefits
- Maximum amount Up to $1,000 when endowment yield allows
- Number of awards One scholarship in typical cycles (~197 applicants)
- Selection factors Financial need, essay #1, recommendation
- College location Title IV U.S. or Canada schools per VSAC rules
- Renewal Non-renewable
- Guaranteed funding Endowment yield may limit awards some years
Document checklist
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✓Unified Scholarship Application (USA)Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID MAY so reviewers route your file to the Edgar May committee.
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✓FAFSA for the aid yearFile the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for 2027-2028 after October 1, 2026 and link results in MyVSAC.
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✓Essay #1 (general essay)Describe barriers or obstacles that limit your access to education after high school, following VSAC essay #1 prompts and word limits.
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✓Recommendation letter #1Submit one non-relative recommendation through MyVSAC from someone who knows your character and persistence.
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✓MyVSAC accountRegister or update secureacctaccess.vsac.org with accurate county residency, high school, and planned enrollment.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
Which Vermont counties qualify for the Edgar May Scholarship?
Current high school seniors must reside in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, or Windsor County. Other Vermont counties are not eligible for this specific fund even if you meet need and barrier criteria.
How much is the Edgar May Scholarship?
VSAC lists one or more scholarships of up to $1,000 each when endowment earnings allow. Because the fund is endowment-backed, VSAC cannot guarantee an award every year.
What should I write in essay #1 for the Edgar May Scholarship?
Use essay #1 to explain significant barriers or obstacles that limit your access to education after high school. Be concrete about how those barriers affect your college plans and follow VSAC word limits in the booklet.
When is the Edgar May Scholarship deadline?
Submit the Unified Scholarship Application and required materials by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 funding, matching the standard VSAC-assisted scholarship deadline.
What VSAC ID do I use for the Edgar May Scholarship?
Enter MAY on the Unified Scholarship Application. The ID appears in the VSAC Scholarships and Forgivable Loans booklet above the Edgar May description.
Can I use the Edgar May award at an out-of-state college?
Yes, if the school is an accredited Title IV eligible institution and you enroll full time in an undergraduate program. County residency rules apply at application time, not where you attend college.
Does the Edgar May Scholarship require FAFSA?
Yes. FAFSA results are required because financial need is a primary selection factor alongside essay #1 and your non-relative recommendation.
Who was Edgar May?
Edgar May was a Vermont public servant and advocate for people outside traditional circles of financial and social success. VSAC administers this memorial fund in his name for northeast Vermont seniors facing barriers to college.
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