USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Pre-University Vermont the USA

LGK New Early Educators Scholarship 2027

Deadline February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern 143 days left · Hosted by Let's Grow Kids (VSAC administered) · Published

The Let''s Grow Kids Scholarship for Aspiring Early Educators - New Students (LGK-NS) supports Vermont residents who are starting associate or bachelor degrees in early childhood education or related majors with an early childhood concentration. Graduating high school seniors and adults entering college for the first time in this field may apply with at least three-quarter-time enrollment at a Title IV college, FAFSA need, VTAEYC membership, and a commitment to work in Vermont early care for at least two years after graduation. Enter scholarship ID LGK-NS on the Unified Scholarship Application with essay #1, a non-relative recommendation, and a transcript before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

When funded
Up to $1,500
3/4 time min
New to ECE UG
VSAC USA deadline
Feb 11, 2027
2 yrs in child care
VT resident
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Let's Grow Kids New Early Educators Scholarship?

LGK-NS is the front door track for people who have not yet started college but already know they want to work with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers in Vermont. That includes high school seniors who swapped another major for early childhood after a strong internship, and adults leaving another field to earn their first ECE credentials.

The new-student track shares the workforce bargain with LGK-CS: VTAEYC membership, FAFSA need, at least three-quarter-time enrollment, and a honest plan to work in Vermont child care for two years after you graduate. Disbursement rules for LGK-NS focus on Title IV eligibility rather than forcing a Vermont campus, which can matter if you compare in-state community college routes with flexible online hybrids. Most winners still pick Vermont schools because of grant stacking and practicum sites.

Essay number one is where you prove this is not a random major change. Talk about the classroom, center, or family child care home that changed your path. Let's Grow Kids has promoted $1,500 awards and occasional VTAEYC membership help for strong applicants, though VSAC can only pay when sponsor dollars exist for the cycle.

Select LGK-NS on the Unified Scholarship Application, not LGK-CS. Upload your transcript, file FAFSA, and finish every MyVSAC upload before February 11, 2027.

Who can apply

Eligibility

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    Vermont residency
    Be a Vermont resident under VSAC assisted scholarship rules when you apply through MyVSAC.
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    New early childhood student
    Be entering an associate or bachelor program in early childhood education or a related field with an early childhood concentration, including high school seniors planning first-year college enrollment.
  • ✓
    Title IV college
    Attend or plan to attend an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding. LGK-NS disbursement rules do not require a Vermont campus, though many winners enroll at CCV or NVU.
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    Three-quarter time enrollment
    Enroll or plan to enroll at least three-quarter time, generally nine to eleven credits per term under VSAC definitions.
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    Academic readiness
    Show outstanding academic achievement with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale when prior college or high school grades exist.
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    VTAEYC membership and Vermont work plan
    Be a member of the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children and intend to work in Vermont early care for at least two years after college.
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    Financial need and service
    Demonstrate financial need through FAFSA and show school or community involvement related to children and education.
What you get

Benefits

  • Typical award Scholarships up to $1,500 when Let's Grow Kids funding allows
  • Program purpose Increase quality infant, toddler, and pre-K teachers
  • VTAEYC bonus Strong applicants may receive VTAEYC membership support in some cycles
  • College location Title IV required; Vermont campus not required at disbursement for LGK-NS
  • Graduate study Undergraduate associate and bachelor only
  • Renewability Not guaranteed each year
What to prepare

Document checklist

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    Unified Scholarship Application (USA)
    Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID LGK-NS for 2027-2028.
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    FAFSA for 2027-2028
    File FAFSA after October 1, 2026 because financial need is part of the selection profile.
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    Essay #1 (general essay)
    Describe why you are entering early childhood education, your Vermont work plan, financial need, and community service in at least 250 words.
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    Recommendation letter #1 (non-relative)
    Submit one non-relative recommendation from a teacher, counselor, employer, or child care director who knows your character and goals.
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    Official transcript
    Upload high school or any prior college transcripts showing cumulative GPA and coursework.
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    VTAEYC membership
    Confirm membership in the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children before you submit the USA.
Step by step

How to apply

New students entering ECE college programs should select LGK-NS. Current undergraduates already in the field should use the LGK-CS guide instead.
Confirm your degree title or concentration meets VSAC early childhood disbursement language before you list it on the USA.
Complete membership before submission so reviewers see you as part of the state early childhood association.
Link need data in MyVSAC as soon as FAFSA opens for 2027-2028.
Explain what drew you to infant, toddler, or preschool work and where in Vermont you plan to teach for two years after graduation.
Select scholarship ID LGK-NS and add other eligible VSAC funds in one submission when you qualify for multiple awards.
Upload every required document by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 11, 2027.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
143 days left
Oct 1, 2026
FAFSA and Unified Scholarship Application open for 2027-2028 aid.
Fall 2026
High school seniors and career changers request recommendations and confirm ECE college plans.
Jan 2027
Confirm LGK-NS is selected and FAFSA is linked in MyVSAC.
Feb 11, 2027
Deadline for the USA, FAFSA, essay, recommendation, and transcript.
Spring 2027
VSAC and Let's Grow Kids reviewers evaluate new early educator applications.
Fall 2027
Recipients receive MyVSAC notification and VSAC disburses to the Title IV college.
Questions

FAQ

Who should apply for LGK-NS versus LGK-CS?

LGK-NS fits high school seniors and adults who are new to college-level early childhood study. LGK-CS fits students already enrolled in an undergraduate ECE program at a Vermont college.

How much is the Let's Grow Kids new student scholarship?

Let's Grow Kids has announced $1,500 scholarships in prior cycles. VSAC can only disburse when sponsor funding is available for the aid year.

Must I attend college in Vermont for LGK-NS?

VSAC disbursement text for LGK-NS requires a Title IV eligible program but does not require a Vermont campus. Most recipients still choose Vermont colleges such as CCV or NVU.

What VSAC ID do new early educators use?

Enter LGK-NS on the Unified Scholarship Application. Do not use LGK-CS if you are only planning your first ECE college enrollment.

Do I need VTAEYC membership for LGK-NS?

Yes. Application materials list membership in the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children as a requirement.

What majors qualify for LGK-NS?

Early childhood education, early childhood special education, child development, and related fields with an early childhood concentration qualify under VSAC disbursement rules.

When is the LGK-NS deadline?

Submit through MyVSAC by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern unless VSAC publishes a different assisted scholarship deadline for 2027-2028.

Can high school seniors apply for LGK-NS?

Yes. Let's Grow Kids first awards included graduating seniors planning bachelor degrees in early childhood education alongside working educators advancing their credentials.

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