USA Scholarships
Karen Quill Scholarship 2027 - Up to $1,000
The Karen Quill Scholarship remembers a dedicated union nurse who died in 2012. VSAC administers two awards up to $1,000 for Vermont students who are active union members or the children of active members and who study nursing at least half time at a Title IV college inside Vermont. Selection weighs essay #1, a non-relative recommendation, a community service recommendation, and FAFSA need. Enter scholarship ID QUILL on the Unified Scholarship Application and upload membership details before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
What is the Karen Quill Scholarship?
Karen Quill worked as a union nurse until her death in 2012, and this VSAC fund keeps her name tied to the next generation of caregivers. The scholarship is small in dollars, often two checks up to $1,000, but the audience is narrow: union households studying nursing inside Vermont borders.
That union gate is easy to misread. You do not need a specific local on a short list if you are an active member or the child of one. Upload the union name, the member name, and the relationship so reviewers can verify the file in seconds. Nursing means registered nursing tracks at associate, bachelor, or graduate level, and the college must sit in Vermont with Title IV approval even if you live near the New Hampshire line.
Community service is not a footnote here. VSAC asks for a dedicated community service recommendation in addition to a standard non-relative letter, so plan two writers early. FAFSA drives the need score that sits beside your essay in selection. VSAC estimated roughly fifty-four applicants for two awards in recent booklets, which means strong letters and a clear clinical plan matter more than padding the resume.
Everything runs through MyVSAC with ID QUILL on the Unified Scholarship Application. Treat February 11, 2027 like a hard stop. One missing upload and the committee never sees your nursing story.
Eligibility
-
✓Union member or union childBe an active union member or the child of an active union member. List the union name, the member's name, and your relationship on the USA membership upload.
-
✓Nursing degree in VermontSeek an undergraduate or graduate degree in nursing and attend an accredited college located in Vermont that is approved for federal Title IV funding.
-
✓Half-time enrollmentEnroll at least half time in the academic year you request aid. Full-time schedules also qualify.
-
✓Financial needDemonstrate financial need through the FAFSA because need is a stated selection factor in the VSAC booklet.
-
✓Community involvementShow community involvement or service through your activities and the required community service recommendation letter.
-
✓VSAC citizenship rulesMeet standard VSAC assisted scholarship citizenship and residency requirements on the Unified Scholarship Application.
Benefits
- Maximum amount Two scholarships up to $1,000 each
- Program focus Undergraduate or graduate nursing in Vermont
- Selection factors Essay, letters, and financial need
- Typical pool About 54 applicants for two awards
- Renewability Not described as renewable in VSAC materials
- Out-of-state tuition Not covered; college must be in Vermont
Document checklist
-
✓Unified Scholarship Application (USA)Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID QUILL for the 2027-2028 aid year.
-
✓FAFSA for 2027-2028File FAFSA after October 1, 2026 and link results in MyVSAC before the February deadline.
-
✓Essay #1 (general essay)Write VSAC essay #1 on your nursing goals, union connection, and community service record.
-
✓Recommendation letter #1 (non-relative)Submit one non-relative recommendation from a teacher, professor, employer, or mentor who knows your academic work.
-
✓Recommendation letter #2 (community service)Submit a community service letter, preferably from a service organization leader who is not related to you.
-
✓Union membership documentationProvide the union name, the name of the qualifying member, and their relationship to you as the booklet specifies.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
Who qualifies for the Karen Quill Scholarship?
Active union members or their children who pursue undergraduate or graduate nursing at least half time at a Vermont Title IV college may apply if they show financial need and community service.
How much is the Karen Quill Scholarship?
VSAC lists two scholarships up to $1,000 each. Recent booklets estimated about fifty-four applicants competing for both seats.
What VSAC ID do I use for the Karen Quill Scholarship?
Enter QUILL on the Unified Scholarship Application. The code appears above the description in the VSAC Scholarships and Forgivable Loans booklet.
Must I attend nursing school in Vermont?
Yes. The booklet requires an accredited school located within Vermont that is approved for federal Title IV funding.
Which unions count for the Karen Quill Scholarship?
The booklet refers to active membership in a union, not one named local only. The fund was established with the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, but eligibility wording covers union members generally.
Does the Karen Quill Scholarship require two recommendation letters?
Yes. VSAC requires recommendation letter number one from a non-relative and recommendation letter number two focused on community service.
When is the Karen Quill Scholarship deadline?
Submit the USA and all required documents by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, matching the standard VSAC-assisted deadline for 2027-2028.
Can graduate nursing students apply for the Karen Quill Scholarship?
Yes. The VSAC description includes graduate nursing degrees as long as you meet union, enrollment, and Vermont school rules.
Scholarship Union
More in-depth scholarship guides curated by experts.
Related guides
Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.
Visit official website