Paying for college is never easy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of scholarships/financial aid opportunities for Vermont students. Hopefully this list will help you to feel more secure about your financial future, leaving you free to focus on academic success.
Scholarships are often based on location and/or personal interests/attributes. So a good way to start looking is to search for key words related to your life (e.g. sports, music, your city, county, or school of interest, etc.). Good luck!
1. Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students who have participated in varsity sports while in high school. You must display a high degree of sportsmanship as well as plan to attend an accredited college full-time in the fall after graduation.
You must have also performed volunteer work in the community/have a minimum 3.0 GPA. There are 3 awards available in Vermont (18 total in the 6 New England states). This award is non-renewable.
There are two phases of selection. The first is a public voting phase, from which 10 finalists from each state will emerge. In the second phase, the finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges. All finalists will have to be available for interviews in late April or May.
2. Lee A. Lyman Memorial Music Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking a degree in music (e.g. musical performing arts, musical recording arts, instrumentation, sound engineering, studio recording, or music history).
You must be an incoming or current undergraduate student. You also must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and participation in music-related activities, performances/groups. Approximately 60 students apply each year; there are 4 awards available annually.
3. Don and Peg Arnold Scholarship
This scholarship is for students residing in one of the eight towns served by the Shoreham Telephone Company (Benson, Castleton, Cornwall, Hubbardton, Orwell, Shoreham, Sudbury, Whiting).
To get this scholarship you must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement/promise of continued excellence, as well as financial need/community involvement. Approximately 24 students apply each year. Only one award is available. The award can be renewed for up to 3 additional years.
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4. AIWF Culinary Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking a degree in culinary arts. You must plan to enroll in a Vermont college on a three-quarter basis (9 credit hours) or more. You also must be a Vermont resident for at least ten years and demonstrate financial need. Selection is based on essays, a recommendation letter, financial need, personal interview. Approximately 20 students apply each year.
5. Vermont Space Grant Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors or current undergraduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA. You must be a U.S. citizen planning to pursue a career with relevance to NASA. For example, you may choose to focus on Astronomy, Biology, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Aeronautical Engineering, earth sciences, Medicine. Cross-disciplinary and other areas of study may also apply.
6. Don Vickers Scholarship
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA, financial need, community involvement. The award may be renewed for up to 4 years. Selection for this award is based on financial need, academic achievement. You must plan to enroll in a certificate, postsecondary non-degree, or undergraduate program in Vermont.
7. Burlington Veterans’ Club Scholarship
This scholarship is for students graduating from any accredited Chittenden County high school. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA as well as demonstrate financial need. Approximately 10 awards are offered annually. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, recommendation letter, essay.
8. Upper Valley Scholarship
This scholarship is for incoming or current undergraduate students in the Upper Valley of Vermont (Ascutney, Baltimore, Barnard, Bethel, Bradford, Bridgewater, Cavendish, Chelsea, Corinth, East Corinth, East Ryegate, Fairlee, Groton, Hartford, Hartland, Newbury, North Hartford, North Hartland, North Springfield, North Thetford, Norwich, Pomfret, Randolph, Randolph Center, Reading, Royalton, Ryegate, Sharon, South Royalton, South Ryegate, Springfield, Strafford, Thetford, Thetford Center, Topsham, Tunbridge, Vershire, Weathersfield, Wells River, West Fairlee, West Hartford, West Newbury, West Topsham, West Windsor, Windsor, or Woodstock).
To get this award, you must demonstrate financial need/community involvement. Preference will be given to students who are among the first generation in their families to go to college. An average of 5 awards are offered annually. The award may be renewable for up to 4 years. Approximately 4 scholarships are available.
9. Helen K. and Robert T. Stafford Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students interested in pursuing a degree in environmental studies or special education. You must demonstrate financial need/community involvement. The award is renewable for up to 4 years.
Please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered. Approximately 80 students apply each year. Selection is based on financial need/application documents.
10. Samara Fund Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students who have demonstrated dedication to the interests of the LGBTQ+ community through personal growth, public commitment, activism. You must plan to continue with formal education, though this can be in any area (e.g. academic, vocational, technical, or the arts). Approximately 50 students apply each year. There are 4 awards available.
11. Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking a four-year degree who also demonstrate community involvement/service related to preserving the environment.
To apply, you must reside in one of the following counties: Andover, Ascutney, Athens, Baltimore, Bellows Falls, Bridgewater, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Hartland, Londonderry, Ludlow, Perkinsville, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, Rockingham, Saxton’s River, Springfield, Weathersfield, Westminster, Westminster West, Weston, West Windsor, Windsor, or Woodstock.
12. VSAC-Freeman Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (Caledonia, Essex, or Orleans County). You must be among the first generation in your family to attend college, OR face significant barriers that limit your access to a college education. You must also demonstrate school/community involvement, have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Up to 10 scholarships are available.
13. Richard T. Gates Engineering and Technology Endowed Challenge Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont high school students who were born in Vermont, as well as intend to pursue a degree in engineering or technology. You must currently attend a Windham County or Springfield high school to apply. Approximately 16 students apply each year. One award is offered. The award is renewable for up to 3 additional years.
Please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
14. Carol A. Hurley Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students graduating from one of the following high schools: Randolph Area Technical Career Center, Randolph Union High School, Rochester School, Whitcomb High School, Windsor High School, or Woodstock Union High School. Preference will be given to those who are the first generation in their families to attend college. Non-renewable.
15. Students with Disabilities Endowed Scholarship Honoring Elizabeth Daley Jeffords
This scholarship is for Vermont students with documented disabilities (based on a 504 plan or IEP from school, or a statement from Vocational Rehabilitation). You must also demonstrate financial need, an education/work ethic, and plan to enroll in a Vermont college on at least a half-time basis.
Approximately 95 students apply each year. An average of 2 awards are offered. This award is on-renewable. Please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
16. Senator James M. Jeffords Endowed Scholarship to Honor Marion Hausman Jeffords
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors residing in Rutland County or attending a Rutland County high school. You must also plan to pursue a degree in the arts (e.g. music, visual arts, dance, or theater).
Approximately 13 students apply each year. A minimum of two awards are offered annually. In 2016, three awards were offered. Also, please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
17. Senator James M. Jeffords Endowed Scholarship to Honor Mary Jeffords Mills
This scholarship is for Vermont seniors residing in Rutland County or attending a Rutland County high school. Preference given to Rutland High School seniors. You must also be planning to pursue a degree in education. The award is non-renewable.
Approximately 15 students apply for this scholarship each year. Selection is based on financial need, academic achievement, application documents. Also, please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
18. Kilbourn-Sawyer Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking a degree in construction or engineering. Selection is based on two personal essays, academic achievement, a recommendation letter, financial need. You must demonstrate an education/work ethic, as well as plan to enroll full-time in a Vermont college. The award is non-renewable.
Also, please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
19. Hunter Dandridge Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students graduating from Burlington High School who plan on attending the Community College of Vermont in the summer or fall after graduation. Applications are located on the CCV website. You will need a valid CCV login to apply.
20. Cecile Leduc Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors planning to attend an accredited Vermont college in the fall. To apply for this award you must be the child or grandchild of a member in good standing of the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA), Court of Saint Mary’s, in St. Albans, Vermont.
21. Presidential Scholarship
This is a merit scholarship for students attending Southern Vermont College. Scholarships will be awarded to incoming freshman with a 3.3+ GPA, 1,100+ SAT, 21+ ACT. The award is renewable for up to four years.
22. Norman Leduc Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors residing in Franklin or Grand Isle County who demonstrate community involvement, leadership, financial need. Preference will be given to students who are actively involved in a formal community service or religious group.
Approximately 75 students apply for this award each year. The award is non-renewable. Also, please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
23. Emily Lester Vermont Opportunity Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students attending or planning to attend a Vermont college. To apply, you must be currently under the custody of the Vermont Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families, OR be between the ages of 18 – 24 and have been under the custody of the DCF for at least six months between the ages of 16 – 18.
The award amount offered cannot exceed the student’s total costs (tuition, fees, board) minus the family’s contribution/other sources of student aid. The number of awards offered varies each year depending on the number of qualified applicants. In 2014, 17 awards were given.
24. Amy Lowenstein Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students who reside in Addison County who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement/promise of continued excellence, as well as school or community involvement. Also you must be planning to enroll full-time in a four-year Vermont college.
Please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
25. Edgar May Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students who reside in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, or Windsor County who face significant obstacles that limit access to education after high school. You also must plan to enroll full-time in a Vermont college.
Selection is based on financial need. Approximately 160 students apply each year. Also, please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered.
26. NorthCountry Federal Credit Union Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students who reside or attend high school in Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, or Washington County. You must also have overcome a significant challenge, have a minimum 3.25 GPA in order to apply. In addition, you must demonstrate community involvement/must plan to enroll in an undergraduate program at least part-time. Approximately 280 students apply each year. Up to 15 awards are offered.
27. People’s United Bank Scholarship
This scholarship is for students planning to attend a Vermont college who have a minimum 3.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need/community involvement. You must plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate degree program. The award is renewable for up to 3 additional years. Approximately 400 students apply each year; 2 awards are offered.
28. Ludlow VFW Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students who reside in Cavendish, Ludlow, Mount Holly, or Plymouth. Preference is given to students who have a parent or grandparent that served in any branch of the armed forces. A minimum of one award is offered annually, meaning that more than one could be available.
29. Vermont State Grange Agricultural Scholarship
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors seeking a degree in agriculture who also demonstrate community service, academic achievement, financial need.
Please note: This scholarship is funded by an endowment subject to laws that might restrict disbursement. This means that there is no guarantee that the scholarship will continue to be offered. Approximately 34 students apply for this award each year.
30. Vermont Police Association: Raymond R. Mooney Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking education or training in a field related to public safety (e.g. emergency services, law enforcement, criminal justice). Approximately 60 students apply for this award each year. Selection is based on financial need, application documents.
31. Vermont DAR Good Citizenship Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking a degree in the social sciences (e.g. anthropology, archaeology, criminology, economics, geography, history, international relations, philosophy, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, or urban studies). Preference will be given to students who demonstrate dependability, community service, leadership, religious awareness, and/or patriotism.
32. Vermont Dental Hygiene Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited dental hygiene program. There are approximately 18 applicants for this award each year; 7 awards of varying amounts are offered from the pool of total funds. The typical award amount is $1,700.
33. Vermont Lakes and Ponds Scholarship
This scholarship is for Vermont students seeking a degree in environmental studies. To apply, you must be an incoming or current undergraduate or graduate student. Preference will be given to students interested in aquatic environmental studies (e.g. watershed management, water resources education, or limnology).
34. Horatio Alger Vermont Scholarship
This scholarship is for graduating Vermont seniors who show integrity/perseverance in overcoming personal adversity, as well as hope to continue their education after high school. To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, have a minimum 2.0 GPA. Every year, 5 awards are available. Once you receive the award, you are allowed to begin your studies at a two-year institution but must eventually transfer to a four-year institution to remain eligible. The award will be paid out in installments over the course of 5 years ($1,750 each year).
We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.
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