Secure your future with scholarships: Application deadline ahead for VSAC 2026-27 scholarships

Do you need help paying for college or career training in fall 2026? Scholarships can be a great way to fund your future. It’s worth it to review VSAC’s Scholarships & Forgivable Loans 2026–2027 booklet—so you don’t miss out on the chance to receive free money.  

If you’re a high school senior or a returning college or training student, now is the time to apply for any of the 150+ VSAC-administered scholarships and forgivable loans. The VSAC scholarships booklet contains information about funding opportunities available whether you continue your education in Vermont or somewhere else. Application materials are due February 11, 2026.

VSAC-administered scholarships are managed by VSAC on behalf of other organizations. Scholarships—like grants—are financial aid that you don’t need to pay back. Scholarships are offered by many different groups, organizations, and even individuals. They’re offered for all kinds of achievements—and to diverse student populations.  

They’re also usually competitive, with eligible applicants vying for a limited number of awards—but Vermont’s smaller communities may offer you a higher chance of winning a scholarship than if you were competing nationwide.  

What you’ll find inside: scholarships and forgivable loans

VSAC’s 2026-27 scholarship booklet includes information on over 150 scholarships, interest-free forgivable loans administered by VSAC, and an additional 41 scholarships run by outside organizations. Here’s a peek at what’s inside.

Some scholarships offer one-time awards, while others are renewable, meaning the student can receive additional financial awards for each subsequent year of study. The annual award amounts generally range from $500 to $6,500, though there are some exceptions. In addition to achieving extraordinary academic and community service goals, many scholarship applicants are motivated to grow into careers that will help others—paying it forward with a lifetime goal that spans generations.

The scholarships booklet also covers VSAC's workforce development funding, which are forgivable loan programs available for students studying in some trades, or to be a nurse, nurse faculty, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. These forgivable loan programs are structured as interest-free loans, but with a big difference: complete your program or service and work in Vermont in your field for a set amount of time, and your loan is fully forgiven. No repayment. No interest. Just the support to launch your future.  

In addition, the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program pays for some or all the tuition for a student who enrolls in Guard service while in school. 

How to find the right VSAC scholarships for you—and what to expect next

Even if you've used VSAC's scholarship booklet in prior years, you may want to take note of the VSAC-administered scholarships and loan programs that would be a good fit for you now.

Here’s a quick trick: Use Control + F (for Windows) or Command + F (for Mac) on the Scholarships Booklet PDF to search for keywords that apply to you. Consider searching by keywords that may describe your Identity (BIPOC, LGBTQA+, First Gen, etc.), Interest (agriculture, STEM, nursing, arts, etc.), Location (high school, town), and Institution type (4-year, 2-year, community college, trade school, etc.).

The timeline:

• On or before February 11, 2026: Submission postmark deadline
• Mid-April, 2026: The scholarship applications are reviewed and awarded by the full VSAC staff, on an otherwise routine workday that is set aside for a full day of focus on scholarships. VSAC employees across all departments, and some board members, organize into teams to review—and dive deeply into student stories. Participating in the scholarship award process provides a powerful and compelling window into the bright, resilient, students we serve.
• May 1, 2026: VSAC will begin to notify you about which scholarships you were chosen for
• June 1, 2026: Beginning on this date, schools can view the scholarships and forgivable loans awarded to you

Scholarships for a broad variety of fields of study, different interests, and financial circumstances 

There are scholarship opportunities for a wide range of academic interests. Some of the more common fields include:

• Business
• Technical industries
• Public safety
• Agriculture
• Health care
• Education

Here are a few of the new scholarships designed for students pursuing specific interests:

• The Michael E Bingham Vocational Scholarship was established by “Vermont Mike,” who had an exciting career that began in the Peace Corps and included seismic oil exploration and land surveying. The Bingham Scholarship offers $1000 to a student who lives in Addison County and wants to pursue a career in the trades.
• The Alex Williams Culinary Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Alex Williams and his passion for cooking. Alex was a 2020 graduate of the culinary arts program at the Central Vermont Career Center. Alex was a free-spirit, avid “foodie,” and emerging chef who always aspired to help others. The Alex Williams Culinary Scholarship offers one or more students who are seeking a degree or certification in the culinary arts up to $1000 annually.
• The Brian R. Searles Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Essex High School alumni Brian R. Searles who died in 2024. Brian was a recognized role model epitomizing what it means to be a true public servant. He was a talented and humble leader who spent 40+ years serving the State of Vermont in many different positions. The Brian R. Searles Memorial Scholarship provides $1000 to a current high school senior graduating from a Vermont high school who has shown a commitment to public service, leadership qualities, academic achievement, strong work ethic, and financial need.

There may even be specific scholarships for your town, county, or high school. Here are a few scholarships that benefit students living in particular communities:

• The Newbury Alumni Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of all Newbury High School alumni, and supports a graduate from Oxbow High School who is pursuing college after high school.
• The Early Childhood Educators Scholarship supports students who have a commitment to the education of young children, who reside in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle or Lamoille County.

Also check for scholarships to help members of traditionally disadvantaged groups. For example, students who are single parents may want to check out the Bernice Murray Scholarship, which covers up to $4,000 in child-care expenses for single parents who continue their education.

There are many choices, all directed by the donors to honor the legacy of someone important to them, a cause or passion, or a business or organization. If you’re interested in funding your own scholarship, let’s connect!

VSAC scholarship deadlines and requirements: apply now!

The application deadline for all VSAC-assisted scholarships is February 11, 2026. The application and all required documents must be submitted or postmarked on or before this date.

Please note that the U.S. Postal Service has changed its postmark policy. Mail is now postmarked on the date it is processed at a regional facility, not the date it is dropped off. If needed, you may visit a post office during normal business hours to request a manual postmark. Keep this in mind if you plan to submit your application or required documents by mail. For the fastest and most reliable submission, we encourage you to use our simple web interface to upload documents electronically.

Most scholarships and forgivable loans require a completed FAFSA and Unified Scholarship Application, plus a general essay. VSAC’s scholarships booklet covers any additional application requirements, such as recommendation letters or transcripts, for each individual scholarship. For a step-by-step application guide, visit VSAC’s scholarship page and download VSAC's free Scholarships Booklet. Start now so you can beat the deadline and finish early! 

Download or order VsaC's Free Booklet

Questions? Talk with the VSAC outreach counselor at their school, visit the VSAC scholarships student aid overview, or call 888-253-4819.

Unlocking opportunities with the Power of scholarships: Free Money!