Scholarships

 

WHAT IS THE CLARENCE F. BIRCHORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD? The family of Clarence F. Birchmore established a scholarship in 2002 in the name of long-time Whiting, Vermont fireman and chief, Clarence Birchmore, following his death while responding to a fire call on March 16, 2002. His volunteerism and dedication to the fire department, agriculture and the community serve as an inspiration to young men and women pursuing careers or continuing their education beyond high school. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?Any graduating student of the following schools may apply: Otter Valley Union High, Mount Abraham Union High, Vergennes Union High, Middlebury Union High or Orwell student of Slate Valley Union High School. 

HOW MUCH ARE THE AWARDS? At least two awards in the amount of $1,000.00 each will be paid directly to the educational program or course of study in which the student has been accepted after successfully completing the first term. 

• Volunteer service: in school and community 
• An essay 
• Plans for the award 
• Educational or career plans 
• Academic excellence 
• Need

To qualify you must be a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2025 AND a son or daughter of a Knight of Columbus member (paternal or legally adopted) in good standing in a subordinate Council within the Vermont jurisdiction.  Sons or daughters of deceased members are also eligible if their father was in good standing at the time of his death.  An applicant may be a member of the Knights of Columbus or a member of a Columbian Squires Circle, in the jurisdiction of Vermont and a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2025. Five $1,000.00 scholarships will be given by the Vermont Knights of Columbus to assist recipients with their education at an accredited school or college of their choice. Applications must be returned to the Chairman, at the address above, by March 7, 2025 to qualify for an award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This scholarship award, sponsored by The American Legion Department of Vermont, has a challenging and noble purpose, which is broadly and aptly stated in the following program slogan: 

"AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY QUALIFIED STUDENT" 

Scholarships are plentiful. However, there are so many different scholarships offered under so many different terms of eligibility that it has become increasingly difficult to find the individual scholarship to fit the individual student. Our Scholarship Program has very few restrictions. It is an established fact that more than 50% of the best brains in our country are not trained beyond the high school level. There must be a reason for this. One is motivation - no one makes them think it is important to go on. The other is economy - they can't afford to go. 

It is good common sense that boys and girls acquire all the education possible. It is our conviction that through the combined efforts of the student, parents and others, such as the Vermont American Legion Scholarship Program, this goal can be accomplished. 

The American Legion believes that more students will continue their education if they are given a helping hand. Through the splendid cooperation and support of the entire American Legion Department of Vermont Membership, this scholarship award has been made possible. Due on or before April 1, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

The Harold J Howrigan Sr Scholarship was formed in memory of Harold J Howrigan Sr who was a lifelong dairy farmer and maple producer and was a leader in the dairy industry at the local, state, regional and national levels. 2025 is our sixteenth year in which we will award scholarship(s) based on merit through a competitive process to students pursuing higher education who reside in northern Vermont. Preference is given to those students pursuing degrees in agriculture, forestry and/or closely related fields.

We will solicit applications for our review and awarding of funds to further our goal of grooming future leaders in agriculture. Applications will be reviewed and recipients selected by the Board of Directors based on merit as shown by: 1) thorough completion of the application; 2) compliance with our stated higher education goals and/or leadership development skills; 3) academics; 4) demonstration of leadership; and 5) with preference as stated above. We anticipate awarding at least two (2) scholarships of up to $2,000 each dependent upon the quality of applicants and available funding. Due on or before April 15, 2025

 

 

 

**THE STEPHEN PHILLIPS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP**

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund offers renewable, four-year scholarships to students with financial need who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, and a strong work ethic. 

Applicants may attend college anywhere in the United States but must be from New England. 

Awards are limited to students seeking their first bachelor's degree at a four-year college in the 2025-2026 academic year. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to be considered. 

Students should be involved with sustained community service (in school, the community or at home) and have a history of part-time employment. 

Applicants must have financial need. Before beginning the application, applicants should use the financial calculator on the Phillips website to be sure they qualify financially. 

It is our intent to award students with Student Aid Indexes (SAI) of 13,000 or less, although families with special financial situations should call or email to see if they can apply. A student's financial need considers the scholarships and grants in their financial aid award offer; therefore, students need this information to calculate their need. In 2024, 86% of awarded students had parent AGIs less than $85,000, and 85% of newly awarded students had federal SAIs of less than 6,000. Applicants must either be United States citizens or noncitizens with a current lawful presence and work authorization in the U.S. Regular deadline - 12 noon, May 1, 2025. Early deadline 12 noon, April 3, 2025

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund

 

 

We’re excited to offer a scholarship opportunity for your high school seniors who live in VTel or VTel Wireless households here in Vermont.  In the coming days, I’ll be mailing you a scholarship flier that you can post and/or copy for your seniors.  I’ve also included a link here, but I understand the appropriate hesitation about clicking on an unsolicited hyperlink in this day of spoofing, spamming, phishing and scamming. 

 

https://www.vermontel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Final_FRS_Scholarships_2024.pdf

 

We’ll also be posting information about this opportunity on our social media channels next week, so please feel free to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for more information. 

 

Below is a list of the available scholarships:

One application qualifies students for several scholarships. Submitting one application is sufficient for eligibility of all available FRS scholarships for Vermont residents:

• FRS General Scholarship: $2,500 awarded for the first year of a 2-year or 4-year college or vocational school.
• V+C Trust Scholarship: $9,000 awarded to two students from rural communities pursuing studies in environmental sustainability, social justice, telecommunications, or economic development.
• Everett Kneece Scholarship: $7,000 awarded in honor of the generous philanthropist Everett Kneece, who had a passion for rural America.
• Herbert and Isabel Bitz Memorial Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to one student who exhibits a strong dedication to rural America.
• JSI Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to students interested in science, math, medicine, or engineering.
• Sarah Tyree Good Neighbor Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to students who demonstrate what it means to be a “good neighbor” through humanitarianism, inclusion, and kindness to others.
• Cronin Communications Scholarship: $2,500 awarded thanks to the generosity of the Timothy Evan Owens Foundation.
• Diana Jo Dreyer Memorial Scholarship: $2,500 awarded by INDATEL Services LLC to a woman intending to study business.
• TMS Scholarship: $1,500 awarded to students who are customers of Ardmore Telephone and/or West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative.
• Roger Cox Scholarship: $1,000 awarded to students living in rural areas of North Carolina and South Carolina.

 

 

 

 

**VSAC Scholarship Opportunities**

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) Scholarship Book is available in the counseling office and online for those who plan to attend college or a technical program.  This is an opportunity for seniors to apply for several scholarships with only one application.

The deadline to apply is February 12, 2025