Understanding the Henderson Scholarship at the University of Vermont

Scholarships play a crucial role in making higher education accessible. At the University of Vermont (UVM), a variety of scholarships are available to help students finance their education. This article provides a detailed overview of scholarships at UVM, including general policies, specific scholarships, and the Henderson Scholarship, with a focus on eligibility and requirements.

General Scholarship Policies at UVM

UVM defines a scholarship as any form of award, payment, reimbursement, or other transaction intended to aid a student's study, training, or research. This includes payments towards tuition, fees, living expenses, and travel expenses. All scholarships are processed through Student Financial Services to ensure proper financial aid considerations.

GPA Requirements

Maintaining a good academic standing is crucial for scholarship renewal. Unless otherwise stated in the scholarship award, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). This GPA is evaluated at the end of each spring semester, following the Registrar's Policy on Grades and GPA Calculation.

Failure to meet the GPA requirement by the end of the spring semester results in non-renewal of the scholarship for the following academic year. However, the student's cumulative GPA will be reviewed at the end of each subsequent spring semester. If the minimum cumulative GPA is achieved in a future spring semester, the scholarship will be reinstated for the next academic year, provided the student continues to be enrolled as an undergraduate and meets all other scholarship criteria.

Enrollment Requirements

Continuous full-time enrollment is generally required to maintain scholarship eligibility. Full-time enrollment is defined as enrolling in 12 or more credits each fall and spring semester as an undergraduate student. Enrolling at less than full-time in a fall or spring semester typically leads to withdrawal of the scholarship for that semester. However, if all other scholarship criteria are met, the scholarship will be reinstated for the next full-time fall or spring semester.

Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Rule:

If a student will complete their program of study in fewer than 8 full-time semesters, they may enroll in fewer than 12 credits during their final fall or spring semester, provided they are graduating after that semester and the credits are required for their degree.
For programs of study completed in fewer than 6 full-time semesters, a student may enroll in fewer than 12 credits during their final semester, provided they are graduating that semester and the credits are required for their degree.

Most scholarships at UVM are awarded for a maximum of 8 semesters, unless otherwise specified in the scholarship notification. If a student completes all degree requirements in less than 8 semesters, they will not receive a refund of unused scholarship monies or an increase in their award amount for the enrolled semesters. For Pathway Scholarships, the maximum duration is 6 semesters.

Additional Considerations

Residency Reclassification: If a student receives a residency reclassification (Vermont versus out-of-state), their scholarship eligibility will be re-evaluated.
Merit vs. Need-Based Scholarships: Merit scholarships are not based on need or financial aid eligibility. Students who apply for need-based financial aid will receive more information on their total financial aid offer directly from Student Financial Services.
NEBHE Tuition Break: Students receiving the NEBHE tuition break who were admitted for Fall 2019 or later will have their scholarship reduced by 30%. This reduction reflects a proration of the scholarship based on the discounted tuition rate with the NEBHE tuition credit. The full merit scholarship amount will be reinstated if the student is determined ineligible for the tuition break due to course enrollment or a change to a non-eligible major. The reduced amount of the scholarship for the NEBHE-applicable semesters will not be available for use in any other semester.
Reduced Tuition Rates: If a student is charged a reduced rate of tuition for any other reason, including partnerships between the University and their employer, their merit scholarship will be prorated by the same percentage as any tuition reduction. This applies for any semester in which the tuition reduction is received.
Summer Courses: Scholarships are not available for courses taken during the summer term.
Accelerated Master's Pathways (AMP): Students accepted into an Accelerated Master's Pathways (AMP) program will no longer be eligible for their scholarship once they have completed their undergraduate degree. However, if the student begins their graduate-level coursework while still completing their undergraduate degree, the scholarship may still apply, provided they meet all other applicable terms and conditions, including the 8-term maximum, minimum GPA requirement, and full-time enrollment (including graduate-level coursework).
Exchange Programs: Students who enroll in a UVM exchange program, including bilateral or ISEP, or a UVM Semester program, may use their scholarship for that semester.
Leave of Absence: An approved leave of absence may be taken for up to 2 consecutive semesters without losing the scholarship, provided all other scholarship criteria continue to be met upon re-enrollment.
Withdrawal or Inactivity: Students who withdraw or become inactive will retain their scholarship as long as they return to school with no more than 2 full, consecutive semesters away (not including summer session) and continue to meet all other scholarship criteria.
Suspension or Dismissal: If a student is suspended or dismissed from the University, they will lose their scholarship eligibility for all future semesters.
Gift Aid: Scholarships are considered "gift aid" and do not need to be repaid.

UVM Merit-Based Scholarships

UVM awards scholarships based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, leadership, geographic location, and field of study. Many of these scholarships have the opportunity to be renewed (based on eligibility) for each academic year. Prospective first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for certain scholarships when applying for admission.

Specific Merit-Based Scholarships

Akol Aguek Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for new admitted first-year and transfer Vermont residents who left their home country as a refugee and have demonstrated academic talent. Recipients receive a merit-based scholarship of $1,000 annually for 4 years (8 semesters). The Akol Aguek Scholarship is awarded in addition to any previous UVM merit scholarships. Recipients must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Dean's Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to the most academically talented transfer students admitted to UVM. Recipients typically have completed 21 college credits earning at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average in all prior college work. For students who earned less than 21 college credits, both the college and high school records are reviewed to determine eligibility. Dean’s Merit Scholars are awarded a merit scholarship of $5,000 annually for Vermont residents and $7,000 - $10,000 annually for out-of-state residents. The scholarship may be renewed for up to 4 years (8 semesters) or until the student graduates, whichever comes first, provided all terms and conditions are met each semester. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Green and Gold Scholars: This full in-state tuition, 4-year merit scholarship is awarded to select seniors attending eligible Vermont high schools. As a Green and Gold Scholar, an invitation to UVM's prestigious Honors College is included. The most academically talented Vermont resident in each eligible high school at the end of the junior year may be considered. Selection criteria are determined by each eligible high school. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Morrill Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for admitted Vermont first-year students who demonstrate strong academic performance. Recipients are awarded a 4-year (8 semester) merit scholarship for $5,000 annually. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Pathway Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for new transfer applicants admitted to UVM through a Pathway articulation agreement. Recipients must have earned at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average in all prior college work. The scholarship amount awarded is $6,000 for Vermont residents and $12,000 for out-of-state residents annually for 3 years (6 semesters), or until the student graduates, whichever comes first, provided all terms and conditions are met each semester. The Pathway Scholarship cannot be combined with the Dean's Merit Scholarship; a student will receive the more beneficial of the two if they are eligible for both scholarships.
Patrick Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for admitted Vermont first-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance. Recipients are awarded a 4-year (8 semester) merit scholarship of $7,000 annually. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for new admitted out-of-state residents who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and have transferred into UVM from a community college. Recipients are awarded a merit-based scholarship of $2,000 annually for up to 4 years (8 semesters), or until the student graduates, whichever comes first, provided all terms and conditions are met each semester. The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is awarded in addition to any previous UVM merit scholarships. The recipients must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Presidential Scholarship: Admitted out-of-state first-year students who demonstrate the highest academic performance are eligible for consideration for the Presidential Scholarship. Presidential Scholars are awarded a 4-year (8 semester) merit scholarship, which ranges from $18,000 to $25,000 annually. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Trustees Scholarship: Admitted out-of-state first-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance are eligible for consideration for the Trustees Scholarship. Trustees scholars are awarded a 4-year (8 semester) merit scholarship, which ranges from $10,000 to $14,000 annually. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Vermont Scholarship: This scholarship is designated for admitted Vermont first-year students who demonstrate the highest academic performance. Vermont scholars are awarded a 4-year (8 semester) merit scholarship, which ranges from $8,000 to $10,000 annually. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Application Process for UVM Merit-Based Scholarships

There is no separate application process for most UVM merit-based scholarships. First-year and transfer applicants are automatically considered for most UVM merit-based scholarships simply by submitting the UVM application for admission. UVM awards scholarships based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, leadership, geographic location, and field of study.

The Henderson-Harris Fellowship Program

The Henderson-Harris Fellowship Program honors the memory of George Washington Henderson and Andrew Harris. George Washington Henderson was one of the first African American students elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to graduate from the University of Vermont (class of 1877). Andrew Harris was not only the very first African American graduate of the University of Vermont (class of 1838), but he was also the first African American college graduate in the United States to champion the abolition of slavery and to demand full equality for people of color.

The Henderson-Harris Fellowship Program supports postdoctoral fellows who are making significant contributions to their fields. Recent fellows include:

Lamont Stanley Bryant: Their research explores how cultural, social, and ecological factors shape positive identity development among youth and young adults of color, within the context of their social support networks, with a focus on queered, gendered, and racialized socialization.
Yujin "Rebecca" Choi: Her research investigates whether and how liberal political theory can be disentangled from its imperial tendencies, focusing on individual autonomy.
Michael Baysa: He explores questions around race and religion through the histories of media technologies.
Nicolei Buendia Gupit: A Filipina-American multidisciplinary artist who works across sculpture, video, installation, and drawing to investigate how the American dream, meritocracy, and global capitalism shape migrant and diasporic experiences.
Elís Miller Larsen: Their research interests include Caribbean identity (especially Afro-Latinx identity), epistemic structures of injustice, social psychology, technology ethics, and individual and social cognition.
Marlaina H. Martin: She explores how Black women and nonbinary media-makers go about envisioning, creating, and sharing projects that challenge if not wholly reimagine normalized production models in media production.

Additional Scholarship Resources

Need-Based Aid: Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based scholarships.
VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation): VSAC offers a guide to scholarships for Vermont students.
ROTC Programs: The Army ROTC Program and the Air Force ROTC (through a dual enrollment agreement with Norwich University) offer opportunities for students to earn a degree and potentially qualify for an officer’s commission.
Veterans Affairs (VA): The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers Bill® benefits for education, including the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Outside Sources: Many organizations offer scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

External Scholarship Examples (LMSA)

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) National offers several scholarship opportunities for medical students, including:

LMSA National Scholarship: Awarded based on personal qualities, financial need, academic excellence, and extracurricular achievement.
LMSA National - Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group Scholarship: Recognizes medical students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, advocacy, and a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities.
LMSA Step/COMLEX Scholarship: Alleviates the financial burden faced by medical students registering for major board examinations.
LMSA Research & Community Impact Grants: Supports medical students leading initiatives that advance health equity and serve Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities.

These scholarships often require specific documentation, such as applications, CVs, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and proof of enrollment.

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