USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Professional Vermont the USA

Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship 2027

Deadline February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern 146 days left · Hosted by Franklin H. Isham Memorial Fund (VSAC administered) · Published

The Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship remembers Franklin Horace Isham through a VSAC fund that Olive Wilcox established for Franklin County students. You must reside in Franklin County and have graduated from a Franklin County high school, enroll at least half time, hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and show financial need on FAFSA. VSAC typically awards one scholarship up to $1,000 when endowment yield allows. Enter scholarship ID ISHAM on the Unified Scholarship Application, upload essay #1 and an official transcript, and submit everything before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 study at a Title IV school.

One typical award
Up to $1,000
3.0 GPA min
Half-time+
VSAC USA deadline
Feb 11, 2027
Resident + grad
Franklin County
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship?

Olive Wilcox set up this memorial fund so Franklin County graduates with steady grades and real need could keep studying after high school. The award is modest, often one scholarship up to $1,000, yet VSAC estimated more than a hundred applicants in a recent cycle chasing that single seat.

County rules are strict on both sides. You need to live in Franklin County and to have graduated from a Franklin County high school, plus a 3.0 GPA on your transcript and at least half-time enrollment at a Title IV school. Essay #1 is where you show education and work ethic without leaning on a recommendation letter, because the booklet does not ask for one.

Endowment yield can shrink awards in thin investment years, so apply on time and stack other VSAC funds on the same Unified Scholarship Application. Enter ID ISHAM, file FAFSA, and upload a transcript that clearly shows your GPA. Missing any of those pieces leaves you out of a small pool where every document counts.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
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    Franklin County residency
    Reside in Franklin County, Vermont when you apply through VSAC.
  • ✓
    Franklin County high school graduate
    Have graduated from a Franklin County high school. The booklet ties both residency and graduation history to the county.
  • ✓
    Minimum 3.0 GPA
    Demonstrate academic achievement with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, supported by your official transcript.
  • ✓
    Half-time enrollment
    Enroll at least half time in the academic year you request aid at an accredited Title IV approved school.
  • ✓
    Financial need and work ethic
    Show financial need through FAFSA and demonstrate education or work ethic in essay #1.
  • ✓
    VSAC citizenship rules
    Meet standard VSAC citizenship and eligibility rules for assisted scholarships unless the booklet lists a different rule for ISHAM.
What you get

Benefits

  • Maximum amount One scholarship up to $1,000 when endowment allows
  • Typical pool Estimated 126 applicants for about one award
  • Selection factors Financial need, academic achievement, and essay
  • Program flexibility Any Title IV program at half-time or greater
  • Endowment caveat VSAC cannot guarantee an award every year
  • Renewal Not described as renewable
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 5
  • ✓
    Unified Scholarship Application (USA)
    Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID ISHAM so reviewers route your file correctly.
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    FAFSA for the aid year
    File FAFSA for 2027-2028 after October 1, 2026 because financial need is a selection factor.
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    Essay #1 (general essay)
    Explain your education and work ethic, college or training plans, and how the award would help you stay enrolled.
  • ✓
    Official transcript
    Upload a transcript with calculated GPA through the applicable academic year, matching VSAC transcript rules in the booklet.
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    MyVSAC account
    Register or update secureacctaccess.vsac.org with accurate Franklin County residency and half-time enrollment plans.
Step by step

How to apply

You need both county residency and a Franklin County high school diploma. Gather proof if you moved recently or completed school online.
ISHAM requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Order a transcript that includes calculated GPA through your latest completed term.
Submit FAFSA after October 1, 2026 so need scores are ready when VSAC reviews an estimated pool of about 126 applicants.
Use secureacctaccess.vsac.org for the Unified Scholarship Application and uploads.
Select scholarship ID ISHAM and add other Vermont booklet funds you qualify for in the same submission.
Connect part-time jobs, family responsibilities, or academic habits to your half-time or full-time training plans.
Upload the USA, FAFSA, essay, and transcript by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 11, 2027 for 2027-2028 aid.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
146 days left
Oct 1, 2026
FAFSA and VSAC Unified Scholarship Application open for 2027-2028 aid.
Fall 2026
Franklin County students order transcripts and confirm 3.0 GPA eligibility.
Jan 2027
Upload transcript and verify ISHAM is selected on the USA.
Feb 11, 2027
Deadline for the USA, FAFSA, essay #1, and transcript.
Spring 2027
VSAC reviews files for one Isham award from an estimated 126 applicants.
Fall 2027
Recipient receives MyVSAC notification and VSAC disburses to the Title IV school.
Questions

FAQ

Who qualifies for the Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship?

You must reside in Franklin County, Vermont and have graduated from a Franklin County high school. You also need at least a 3.0 GPA, half-time enrollment, and financial need on FAFSA.

How much is the Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship?

VSAC lists one scholarship up to $1,000 when endowment earnings allow. Endowment rules mean VSAC cannot guarantee an award every cycle.

What VSAC ID do I use for the Isham scholarship?

Enter ISHAM on the Unified Scholarship Application. The ID appears above the Franklin H. Isham Memorial description in the VSAC booklet.

Does the Isham scholarship require a transcript?

Yes. VSAC requires an official transcript that includes calculated GPA through the applicable academic year, along with essay #1 and FAFSA.

Can part-time college students apply for the Isham scholarship?

Yes, as long as you meet the booklet's half-time enrollment minimum at a Title IV approved school.

When is the Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship deadline?

Submit the USA, FAFSA, essay, and transcript by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 funding.

Does the Isham scholarship require a recommendation letter?

No. The VSAC booklet lists the Unified Scholarship Application, FAFSA, essay #1, and transcript only for ISHAM.

Who established the Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship?

Mrs. Olive Wilcox created the fund to honor her husband, Franklin Horace Isham. VSAC administers the memorial scholarship for Franklin County students.

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