USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Vermont the USA

RehabGYM Scholarship 2027 - Up to $1,000

Deadline February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern 142 days left · Hosted by RehabGYM fund (VSAC administered) · Published

The RehabGYM Scholarship backs Vermont residents who pushed through a serious physical challenge or illness and still chose college or certificate training. VSAC administers one award up to $1,000 each cycle for students enrolled at least three-quarter time in a Title IV-eligible program. Health-adjacent majors such as nursing, public health, fitness, or healthcare administration may receive priority, though the booklet does not restrict other fields. You apply through MyVSAC with scholarship ID REHABGYM, FAFSA, and the standard general essay. Selection weighs your essay and financial need among roughly 160 applicants for a single seat.

One award typical
Up to $1,000
3/4-time min
Cert or UG
VSAC USA deadline
Feb 11, 2027
VSAC residency rules
Vermont
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the RehabGYM Scholarship?

RehabGYM exists because some students rebuild their lives after injury or illness and still choose demanding certificate or college programs. VSAC does not ask you to perform inspiration on command, but essay #1 is your chance to show reviewers what perseverance looked like in real weeks and months, not in slogans.

The money is modest. One award up to $1,000 against roughly 160 applicants in recent VSAC estimates means you should stack REHABGYM with Vermont grants, Pell, and other USA funds you qualify for in the same MyVSAC session. Three-quarter time enrollment is enough to qualify, which helps if you are balancing treatment follow-ups with a nine-credit schedule.

If your major sits in health, wellness, or public health, say so plainly and tie it to the experience that shaped you. If your major is elsewhere, you still fit when you hit the challenge and enrollment gates. File FAFSA on time. Need is half the selection equation alongside the essay.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Vermont residency for VSAC scholarships
    Meet VSAC standard residency rules for assisted scholarships unless the booklet lists a narrower geographic limit for REHABGYM.
  • ✓
    Overcome a significant physical challenge or illness
    Explain in essay #1 how you met a major physical challenge or illness with courage and perseverance. Be specific about recovery, treatment, or adaptation.
  • ✓
    Certificate or undergraduate degree
    Seek a certificate or bachelor's degree at an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding such as Pell Grants or Direct Loans.
  • ✓
    At least three-quarter time enrollment
    Plan to enroll at least three-quarter time (generally nine to eleven credits per term under VSAC definitions) for the award year.
  • ✓
    Demonstrate financial need
    File FAFSA so VSAC can evaluate need. Need is a published selection factor alongside your essay.
  • ✓
    Health or wellness career priority (optional edge)
    The booklet notes priority may go to students pursuing physical or mental health, fitness, wellness, public health, population health, healthcare administration, or adjacent fields.
What you get

Benefits

  • Maximum award Up to $1,000
  • Typical recipients One scholarship per cycle
  • Selection factors Essay and financial need
  • Endowment caveat VSAC cannot guarantee amount every year
  • Full tuition Not offered
  • Graduate study Certificate or UG only
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 4
  • ✓
    Unified Scholarship Application (USA)
    Complete the USA in MyVSAC and enter scholarship ID REHABGYM for 2027-2028.
  • ✓
    FAFSA
    Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the award year. REHABGYM requires FAFSA on the required documents list.
  • ✓
    Essay #1 (general essay)
    Use VSAC essay #1 to tell your recovery story and connect it to your education plans. This essay drives selection.
  • ✓
    Enrollment plan documentation
    Keep acceptance letters or class schedules ready to prove three-quarter time enrollment at a Title IV school if reviewers ask.
Step by step

How to apply

Download the Scholarships and Forgivable Loans booklet at vsac.org and confirm you meet residency, enrollment, and challenge criteria before you write.
Complete FAFSA at studentaid.gov so need data is available when VSAC reviews REHABGYM files.
Name the challenge, what perseverance looked like day to day, and how college training fits the person you became through recovery.
Log into secureacctaccess.vsac.org/myvsac/, open the Unified Scholarship Application, and add ID REHABGYM plus any other eligible funds.
List a Title IV college and credit load that meets at least nine credits per term if that is how your school maps to VSAC enrollment bands.
Upload the USA, FAFSA confirmation, and essay 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
142 days left
Oct 1, 2026
Unified Scholarship Application opens for 2027-2028 VSAC-assisted scholarships.
Fall 2026
Draft recovery essay and file FAFSA for the award year.
Jan 2027
Verify REHABGYM appears on your USA and every required upload shows complete in MyVSAC.
Feb 11, 2027
Deadline for USA, FAFSA, and essay #1.
Spring 2027
VSAC routes applications to the RehabGYM committee.
Fall 2027
Recipient notified and funds disbursed toward enrollment per VSAC rules.
Questions

FAQ

What is the RehabGYM Scholarship?

It is a VSAC-assisted fund for Vermont students who overcame a significant physical challenge or illness and pursue certificate or undergraduate study at least three-quarter time at Title IV schools.

What VSAC ID do I use for RehabGYM?

Enter REHABGYM on the Unified Scholarship Application. The ID appears in the VSAC Scholarships booklet above the RehabGYM description.

How much is the RehabGYM Scholarship worth?

VSAC lists one scholarship up to $1,000. Endowment rules mean VSAC cannot guarantee an award or exact amount every year.

Does RehabGYM require FAFSA?

Yes. FAFSA is on the required documents list because financial need is part of selection.

Do health majors get priority for RehabGYM?

The booklet says priority may go to students seeking careers in physical or mental health, fitness, wellness, public health, or related fields. Other majors may still apply if they meet all gates.

When is the RehabGYM Scholarship deadline?

Submit the USA and required documents by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, the standard VSAC assisted scholarship deadline.

Can part-time students apply for RehabGYM?

You must enroll at least three-quarter time. Less than that does not meet the published enrollment rule.

How competitive is the RehabGYM Scholarship?

VSAC estimated about 160 applicants for one award in recent booklets. A strong, specific essay and clear need documentation matter.

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