USA Scholarships
Scholarships in Vermont - AHEC and VSAC Awards
Scholarships in Vermont
Vermont routes much of its private and regional scholarship money through VSAC, while Area Health Education Centers and community foundations add awards tied to county residency and health workforce goals. The guides below spell out who qualifies, what documents MyVSAC requires, and when the Unified Scholarship Application closes each winter.
Emily Lester Vermont Opportunity Scholarship 2027
The Emily Lester Vermont Opportunity Scholarship is a state-funded VSAC award for Vermonters who are in Department for Children and Families custody or who aged out of foster care after meaningful DCF custody between ages 16 and 18. You must pursue an undergraduate degree at an in-state Title IV college and show financial need. Apply with the Unified Scholarship Application (ID LESTER), FAFSA, and Vermont Grant application. Awards generally run $1,000 to $2,000 and may reach $3,000. Submit materials by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 aid.
Edgar May Scholarship 2027 - Up to $1,000
The Edgar May Scholarship, administered by VSAC, honors a longtime advocate for Vermonters outside the circle of financial and social success. High school seniors who live in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, or Windsor County may compete for one award up to $1,000 when the endowment allows. You need FAFSA, essay #1 on barriers to education after high school, and one non-relative recommendation on the Unified Scholarship Application with ID MAY. File everything by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 enrollment at a Title IV college.
David A. Hicks Memorial Scholarship 2027 - $2,000
The David A. Hicks Memorial Scholarship, administered by VSAC, offers up to $2,000 for students who graduated from Mount Anthony Union High School or West Rutland High School and pursue a full-time bachelor's degree at a Title IV college. The fund favors applicants who overcame hardship or illness, or who face barriers to education after high school. You need FAFSA, essay #1 describing those experiences, and one non-relative recommendation. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with ID HICKS by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 aid.
Denton and Ann Lyon Scholarship 2027 - $2,000
The Denton and Ann Lyon Scholarship, administered by VSAC, offers up to three awards of $2,000 each for Addison County high school seniors with strong grades and financial need who plan full-time undergraduate study at a Vermont Title IV college. Home-schooled or GED students who would have graduated from an Addison County high school may also qualify. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with ID LYON-DA, FAFSA, essay #1, one non-relative recommendation, and an official transcript by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Awards may renew for one additional year when you remain eligible.
Don Vickers Scholarship 2027 - $1,000
The Don Vickers Scholarship honors the longtime VSAC president and CEO through an endowment that funds up to $1,000 for Vermont residents pursuing certificates, undergraduate degrees, or non-degree programs at Title IV schools. You need a 3.5 cumulative GPA, financial need on FAFSA, community service, and a stated intent to work in public service. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with ID VICKERS, FAFSA, essay #1, two recommendations, and a transcript by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The award may renew for up to three additional years when you remain eligible.
Dr. Marc Hull Special Ed Scholarship 2027 - $1,500
The Dr. Marc Hull Special Education Leadership Scholarship, sponsored by the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators and administered by VSAC, honors a former Vermont education commissioner with up to $1,500 for students seeking a special education certificate or license. Vermont residents enroll at least half time at a Title IV school, hold a 3.0 GPA, and show service related to individuals with disabilities. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with ID HULL, essay #1, two recommendations, and a transcript by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. FAFSA is not listed among required documents for this fund.
Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary Scholarship 2027
The Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary Scholarship rewards Vermont residents of Charlotte, Shelburne, or Hinesburg who show uncommon commitment to community service. The Rotary club funds one $2,000 award each cycle through VSAC, with a possible second award when fundraising allows, including memorial designations for former members Denny Bowen and Alan Bates. Enroll at least half time at a Title IV college, certificate program, or skilled trade school. VSAC selects on two recommendation letters and essay #1; FAFSA is not listed as required. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with ID ROTARY-CS by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 study.
Charles E. Leonard Memorial Scholarship 2027
The Charles E. Leonard Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI), honors a blind engineer who led VABVI in the late 1970s. Vermont residents who are blind or visually impaired, children of blind or visually impaired parents, or students preparing for careers serving blind and visually impaired communities may apply through VSAC for one of about four $500 awards. You need financial need on FAFSA, academic achievement, essay #1, a transcript, and certification-Leonard when blindness applies to you or a parent. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with ID LEONARD by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 enrollment at any Title IV college or training program.
Dale A. Boutin Scholarship 2027 - $1,500
The Dale A. Boutin Scholarship, administered by VSAC, offers two $1,500 awards for full-time undergraduate students who live in Burlington, Barton, Glover, West Glover, Orleans, Irasburg, or Newport, Vermont. You must be first-generation in college or an independent student, or a dependent from a single-parent household, and demonstrate financial need on the FAFSA. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application, FAFSA, essay #1, and one non-relative recommendation by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 aid.
Carol A. Hurley Memorial Scholarship 2027 - $1,000
The Carol A. Hurley Memorial Scholarship honors a VSAC outreach counselor who guided first-generation college students in central Vermont. Friends, family, and colleagues fund awards for high school seniors graduating from Randolph Technical Career Center, Randolph Union, White River Valley, Windsor, or Woodstock Union who plan full-time undergraduate study at a Title IV college. VSAC gives preference to first-generation applicants, requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA, financial need on FAFSA, and school or community involvement. Submit the Unified Scholarship Application with scholarship ID HURLEY, FAFSA, essay #1, one non-relative recommendation, and an official transcript by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 aid. Expect one or more scholarships up to $1,000 each when endowment earnings allow.
CVSR Scholarship 2027 - Vermont Automotive - $500
The Champlain Valley Street Rodders (CVSR) Scholarship helps Vermont residents train for careers in automotive technology, mechanics, or repair. The club established the fund through VSAC, which administers one $500 award per cycle for students seeking a certificate or undergraduate degree at a Title IV-eligible school with any enrollment level. Applicants need demonstrated academic achievement, financial need on FAFSA, essay #1, one non-relative recommendation, and an official transcript. Enter scholarship ID CVSR on the Unified Scholarship Application and submit all materials by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for 2027-2028 aid. VSAC estimated about twenty-three applicants for one award in recent booklets.
Bernice Murray Scholarship 2027 - Vermont
The Bernice Murray Scholarship helps Vermont single parents pay for child care while they earn an undergraduate degree. Former U.S. Senator James Jeffords and the Federal Executives'' Association sponsor the fund to honor Bernice Murray, longtime aide to Senator Jeffords. VSAC administers awards through the Unified Scholarship Application with FAFSA, essay #1, one non-relative recommendation, and detailed child care information. You must have primary custody of at least one child age twelve or younger, enroll at least half time at a Title IV-eligible college, and show financial need. VSAC may grant one or more scholarships up to $4,000 each for child care costs. For 2027-2028 aid, submit the USA and all documents by February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, with applications opening October 1, 2026.