USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Vermont the USA

Nichols Family Ag & Env Science 2027

Deadline February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern 143 days left · Hosted by Nichols Family Fund (VSAC administered) · Published

The Nichols Family Scholarship for Agriculture and Environmental Science supports Vermont students who want careers tied to farms, forests, or environmental stewardship. VSAC may award two scholarships up to $6,250 each when endowment earnings allow to full-time undergraduates seeking degrees in agriculture or environmental studies with FAFSA-documented need. The fund honors Francis and Louise Nichols and their children, who valued hard work and the natural world. Enter scholarship ID NICHOLS-AG on the Unified Scholarship Application, file FAFSA, upload essay #1 and one non-relative recommendation before February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 aid.

Two VSAC awards
Up to $6,250
Full-time UG
Ag or env major
USA deadline
Feb 11, 2027
Residency required
Vermont
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Nichols Family Scholarship for Agriculture and Environmental Science?

William Nichols and Sarah Nichols Gruenig grew up watching their parents tie education to the land. The agriculture and environmental science fund, opened in 2014 through VSAC, channels that same belief into dollars for Vermont students who want degrees in farming, forestry, conservation, or related environmental fields.

NICHOLS-AG is the ID you type into MyVSAC. It is not interchangeable with NICHOLS, the sibling fund that asks for adversity stories and a 2.5 GPA transcript. Here the gate is your major and full-time enrollment at a Title IV school, plus FAFSA need and a solid essay #1.

VSAC may name two winners up to $6,250 each when the endowment allows, with renewal possible for three more years if you stay in agriculture or environmental studies. Disbursement rules later require that major, so switch programs only after talking with VSAC.

The applicant pool is smaller than the general Nichols fund, but the February 11 deadline is identical. File FAFSA early, enter NICHOLS-AG before you submit, and give your non-relative recommender enough time to write something specific about your field goals.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 5
  • ✓
    Vermont residency
    Meet VSAC assisted-scholarship residency rules as a Vermont resident when you apply for 2027-2028 funding.
  • ✓
    Agriculture or environmental studies major
    Seek an undergraduate degree in agriculture or environmental studies. VSAC requires enrollment in those fields for disbursement.
  • ✓
    Full-time enrollment
    Enroll full time at an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding such as Pell Grants or Direct Loans.
  • ✓
    Financial need through FAFSA
    File FAFSA for 2027-2028 and link results in MyVSAC because financial need drives selection alongside your essay and recommendation.
  • ✓
    U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
    Meet standard VSAC citizenship rules for federal aid programs tied to Title IV schools.
What you get

Benefits

  • Maximum amount Up to $6,250 per recipient when endowment yield allows
  • Number of awards Two scholarships (~123 applicants estimated)
  • Renewability May renew up to three additional years per VSAC rules
  • Selection factors Need, essay, recommendation
  • Major requirement Agriculture or environmental studies at disbursement
  • Full tuition Not offered
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 4
  • ✓
    Unified Scholarship Application (USA)
    Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID NICHOLS-AG for the agriculture and environmental science committee.
  • ✓
    FAFSA for 2027-2028
    Submit FAFSA after October 1, 2026 and connect it to VSAC before the February deadline.
  • ✓
    Recommendation letter #1 (non-relative)
    Provide one non-relative recommendation addressing your readiness for college and interest in ag or environmental fields.
  • ✓
    Essay #1 (general essay)
    Follow VSAC essay #1 prompts and explain your agriculture or environmental studies goals and financial situation.
Step by step

How to apply

Map your declared major to VSAC wording and be ready to stay in agriculture or environmental studies after you win.
Need data must be available before you submit the Unified Scholarship Application.
Sign in at secureacctaccess.vsac.org to start the Unified Scholarship Application for 2027-2028.
Use NICHOLS-AG, not NICHOLS, unless you also qualify for the separate adversity-focused Nichols fund.
Explain field-specific goals in the essay and ask a non-relative who knows your work ethic to write letter #1.
VSAC requires the USA, FAFSA, essay, and recommendation 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 VSAC Unified Scholarship Application open for 2027-2028 aid.
Fall 2026
Students confirm agriculture or environmental studies majors and request a non-relative recommendation.
Jan 2027
Verify NICHOLS-AG is selected in MyVSAC with FAFSA linked and essay uploaded.
Feb 11, 2027
Deadline for the USA, FAFSA, essay, and recommendation letter.
Spring 2027
VSAC reviews an estimated 123 applicants for two NICHOLS-AG awards.
Fall 2027
Recipients enroll full time in agriculture or environmental studies for disbursement.
Questions

FAQ

Who is eligible for the Nichols agriculture and environmental science scholarship?

Vermont residents pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree in agriculture or environmental studies at a Title IV school with FAFSA-documented need may apply through VSAC using ID NICHOLS-AG.

How much is the Nichols NICHOLS-AG scholarship?

VSAC lists two scholarships up to $6,250 each when endowment earnings allow. Endowment yield can affect the payout in a given year.

What VSAC ID do I use for agriculture and environmental science?

Enter NICHOLS-AG on the Unified Scholarship Application. Renewal uses NICHOLS-AG-R in later years per VSAC naming.

Is there a minimum GPA for NICHOLS-AG?

The VSAC booklet emphasizes financial need and field of study rather than a published GPA cutoff for this fund, unlike the general NICHOLS scholarship.

Can the NICHOLS-AG scholarship renew?

VSAC states the award may be renewable for up to three additional years if you continue in agriculture or environmental studies and meet renewal rules.

When is the NICHOLS-AG deadline?

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

How is NICHOLS-AG different from NICHOLS?

NICHOLS targets Vermont students who overcame adversity with a 2.5 GPA minimum. NICHOLS-AG requires agriculture or environmental studies majors and does not use the adversity essay focus.

Do I need a transcript for NICHOLS-AG?

The VSAC booklet lists the Unified Scholarship Application, FAFSA, one non-relative recommendation, and essay #1. It does not list a separate transcript requirement for NICHOLS-AG unlike the general NICHOLS fund.

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