USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Vermont the USA

Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship 2027

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

The Hildegard Durfee Scholarship (Undergraduate) supports Windham County residents who want associate or bachelor''s degrees, including career changers who need undergraduate coursework after high school. VSAC typically awards multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 based on financial need and academic achievement. Preference goes to residents of Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Newfane, and Putney. Enter scholarship ID DURFEE-U on the Unified Scholarship Application, attach FAFSA results, essay #1, recommendation letter #1, and an official transcript before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 enrollment at a Title IV school.

Multiple awards
$500–$1,500
Associate or bachelor's
Undergraduate
VSAC USA deadline
Feb 11, 2027
Six-town preference
Windham County
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship?

Hildegard Durfee''s memorial fund targets Windham County students who need real dollars for associate or bachelor''s work, not just a line on a resume. VSAC spreads multiple awards between $500 and $1,500 in typical years, so your odds are better than on single-winner Vermont funds. The tradeoff is a crowded file room: the booklet estimated more than one hundred applicants for several dozen seats.

Preference towns matter but do not wall off the rest of Windham County. Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Newfane, and Putney applicants may receive extra weight, yet anyone in the county with strong grades, clear need on FAFSA, and a tight essay still belongs in the pool. Career changers fit the official description when they can show why undergraduate coursework is the next logical step.

Enter DURFEE-U on the Unified Scholarship Application, not DURFEE-G, which is the graduate sibling fund. Transcript upload, essay #1, and recommendation letter #1 are non-negotiable, and VSAC may call you for an interview when reviewers need more context. Mark February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on your calendar for 2027-2028 aid.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Windham County residency
    Reside in Windham County when you apply. VSAC gives preference to residents of Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Newfane, and Putney within the county pool.
  • ✓
    Undergraduate degree seeker
    Seek an associate or bachelor's degree at an accredited college approved for federal Title IV funding. The fund also fits career changers who need undergraduate coursework after high school.
  • ✓
    Academic achievement
    Demonstrate academic achievement through your transcript and essay #1. Strong grades help in a pool where VSAC estimated more than one hundred applicants.
  • ✓
    Financial need on FAFSA
    Complete FAFSA because financial need is both an eligibility criterion and a primary selection factor alongside your recommendation and essay.
  • ✓
    Title IV eligible institution
    Attend an accredited school approved for Pell Grants or federal Direct Loans, including many out-of-state colleges under standard VSAC rules.
  • ✓
    VSAC citizenship rules
    Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen under standard VSAC assisted scholarship rules unless the booklet lists a different rule for DURFEE-U.
What you get

Benefits

  • Award range $500 to $1,500 per scholarship in typical cycles
  • Number of awards Estimated 44 awards among ~116 applicants in recent booklet
  • Selection factors Recommendation, essay, need, achievement; interview if needed
  • Enrollment level Any undergraduate enrollment level at Title IV schools
  • Renewal Not described as automatically renewable
  • Guaranteed amount Endowment rules may affect total dollars some years
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Unified Scholarship Application (USA)
    Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID DURFEE-U so reviewers route your file to the Hildegard Durfee undergraduate committee.
  • ✓
    FAFSA for the aid year
    File FAFSA for 2027-2028 after October 1, 2026 because demonstrated financial need is required.
  • ✓
    Essay #1 (general essay)
    Answer VSAC essay #1 prompts with a clear story about your undergraduate plans, academic goals, or career change.
  • ✓
    Recommendation letter #1 (non-relative)
    Submit one non-relative recommendation through MyVSAC from a teacher, employer, or mentor who can speak to your achievement and character.
  • ✓
    Official transcript
    Upload an official transcript showing coursework and grades. VSAC uses it to confirm academic achievement in selection.
  • ✓
    MyVSAC account
    Register or update secureacctaccess.vsac.org with Windham County residency and planned enrollment.
Step by step

How to apply

Check your mailing address and school records against VSAC county rules. Applicants from the six preference towns compete within the same Windham pool but may receive extra weight.
Order transcripts from your high school or college registrar before winter break so uploads are not delayed.
Submit FAFSA for 2027-2028 and link results in MyVSAC. Need calculations drive a large share of Durfee selection.
Complete the Unified Scholarship Application at secureacctaccess.vsac.org. One USA can enter you into every other VSAC fund you qualify for.
Explain why undergraduate study fits your next career step. Career changers should name the credential they need, not just generic college goals.
Ask someone who knows your academic record or professional pivot and who is not a relative.
VSAC requires the USA, FAFSA, essay, recommendation, and transcript by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 11, 2027 for 2027-2028 awards.
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 assisted scholarships.
Fall 2026
Windham County students order transcripts and draft essay #1 for undergraduate or career-change plans.
Jan 2027
Confirm DURFEE-U is selected and all uploads show in MyVSAC.
Feb 11, 2027
Deadline for the USA, FAFSA, essay #1, recommendation letter #1, and official transcript.
Spring 2027
VSAC reviews an estimated 116 applicants and may schedule interviews when needed.
Fall 2027
Recipients receive MyVSAC notification and VSAC disburses awards to Title IV schools.
Questions

FAQ

Who qualifies for the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship?

Windham County residents seeking an undergraduate degree at a Title IV eligible college may apply if they show academic achievement and financial need on FAFSA. VSAC gives preference to residents of Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Newfane, and Putney.

How much is the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship?

Individual awards range from $500 to $1,500 in typical cycles. The VSAC booklet estimated about forty-four awards among roughly one hundred sixteen applicants in a recent year.

What VSAC ID do I use for the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship?

Enter DURFEE-U on the Unified Scholarship Application. Do not confuse it with DURFEE-G, which is the separate graduate Hildegard Durfee fund in the same booklet.

Does the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship require an interview?

VSAC lists a personal interview only if necessary during selection. Most decisions rely on your application documents, FAFSA need, and academic achievement.

When is the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship deadline?

Submit the Unified Scholarship Application and required materials by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 funding.

Can career changers apply for the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship?

Yes. The booklet describes the fund for residents who need undergraduate-level coursework after high school, including people preparing for career changes that require a new degree or credential.

Does the Hildegard Durfee Undergraduate Scholarship require FAFSA?

Yes. FAFSA is listed among required documents because demonstrated financial need is an eligibility criterion and a selection factor.

Can I use a Durfee award at an out-of-state college?

Yes, if the school is Title IV eligible and you are pursuing an undergraduate degree. Windham County residency at application time matters, not where you enroll.

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