USA Scholarships
Helen J Switzer Nursing Scholarship 2027
The Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship supports Windham County students training for licensed practical nursing or registered nursing pathways. VSAC may award two or more scholarships up to $1,000 each when endowment earnings allow. You must reside in Windham County, enroll at least half time in an LPN, associate of science in nursing, or bachelor of science in nursing program at a Title IV school, and show financial need on FAFSA. Rockingham, Westminster, Athens, and Grafton residents receive preference in that order. Enter ID SWITZER on the Unified Scholarship Application with essay #1 and recommendation letter #1 before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
What is the Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship?
Helen Switzer spent thirty years in nursing, and her children channeled that legacy into a Windham County fund for the next generation of LPN and RN students. Awards run up to $1,000 with two or more seats in a typical cycle, which beats the one-winner odds on many VSAC memorial funds.
County residency is the hard gate. Rockingham, Westminster, Athens, and Grafton sit at the front of the preference list, but any Windham address can still compete if your essay and need score are strong. You must be on a licensure track, not a general health sciences major, and half-time enrollment is the minimum.
Enter SWITZER on the Unified Scholarship Application with FAFSA, essay #1, and one non-relative recommendation. Endowment yield can pause awards in weak investment years, so pair this fund with other nursing IDs on the same USA if you qualify. The pool is smaller than statewide scholarships, which gives careful files a real shot.
Eligibility
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✓Windham County residencyReside in Windham County, Vermont when you apply. VSAC gives preference to Rockingham, Westminster, Athens, and Grafton residents in that order.
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✓Eligible nursing programEnroll at least half time in a licensed practical nursing program, an associate of science in nursing (AS, RN) program, or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN, RN) program.
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✓Title IV eligible schoolAttend an accredited college or hospital-based program approved for federal Title IV funding, including out-of-state nursing schools per VSAC rules.
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✓Financial need on FAFSADemonstrate financial need through FAFSA because need weighs heavily alongside essay #1 and your recommendation.
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✓Half-time enrollment minimumCarry at least half-time enrollment, generally six credits per term under VSAC definitions, for the aid year you request funding.
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✓VSAC citizenship rulesBe a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen under standard VSAC assisted scholarship rules unless the booklet lists a different rule for SWITZER.
Benefits
- Maximum amount Two or more scholarships up to $1,000 each when endowment allows
- Typical pool Estimated 19 applicants for about two awards
- Selection factors Financial need, essay, and recommendation letter
- Program scope LPN, AS-RN, or BSN-RN at Title IV schools
- Endowment caveat VSAC cannot guarantee an award every year
- Renewal Not described as renewable
Document checklist
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✓Unified Scholarship Application (USA)Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID SWITZER so reviewers route your nursing file correctly.
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✓FAFSA for the aid yearFile FAFSA for 2027-2028 after October 1, 2026 because financial need is required for this fund.
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✓Essay #1 (general essay)Explain your nursing career goals, clinical or caregiving experience, and how the award supports your LPN or RN pathway.
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✓Recommendation letter #1 (non-relative)Submit one non-relative recommendation through MyVSAC from a teacher, supervisor, or clinical mentor who knows your work ethic.
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✓MyVSAC accountRegister or update secureacctaccess.vsac.org with accurate Windham County residency and nursing program details.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
Who qualifies for the Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship?
Windham County Vermont residents enrolled at least half time in LPN, AS-RN, or BSN-RN programs at Title IV schools may apply. Financial need on FAFSA is required.
How much is the Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship?
VSAC lists two or more scholarships up to $1,000 each when endowment earnings allow. Endowment rules mean VSAC cannot guarantee an award every cycle.
What VSAC ID do I use for the Switzer Nursing Scholarship?
Enter SWITZER on the Unified Scholarship Application. The ID appears above the Helen J. Switzer Nursing description in the VSAC booklet.
Which Windham County towns get preference for the Switzer scholarship?
VSAC gives preference to residents of Rockingham, Westminster, Athens, and Grafton in that order. Other Windham County towns remain eligible.
Can LPN students apply for the Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship?
Yes. Licensed practical nursing programs qualify alongside associate and bachelor of science in nursing tracks listed in the booklet.
When is the Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship deadline?
Submit the USA, FAFSA, essay, and recommendation by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 funding.
Does the Switzer Nursing Scholarship require a transcript?
No. The VSAC booklet lists the Unified Scholarship Application, FAFSA, essay #1, and recommendation letter #1 for SWITZER.
Why was the Helen J. Switzer Nursing Scholarship created?
Helen Switzer’s children established the fund to honor her thirty-year nursing career caring for the sick and elderly. VSAC administers the memorial scholarship for Windham County students.
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