Mountain Locals Scholarship
Our Mountain Local Scholarship is exclusively available to families who have been full-time residents for a minimum of 5 years in Colorado ski town counties including Eagle, Summit, Pitkin, Lake, and Routt. This renewable scholarship for new students in grades K-12 provides an annual 25% tuition award, persisting throughout the student's academic division—whether Lower, Middle, or Upper. It is tailored to support local families navigating the financial challenges of living in ski towns, and expands access to a premier independent school education for their children.
Vail Mountain School provides a rigorous academic curriculum complemented by a wide range of co-curricular arts and technology offerings, experiential learning, and athletics offerings, all led by expert faculty who are rapport-driven and committed to student success. These scholarships represent VMS's commitment to fostering a rich and diverse learning community in which dedicated students can thrive and achieve their full potential.
To be considered for this scholarship, an application for admission must be submitted. Within that, parents/guardians submit an essay and request 2-3 letters of recommendation from teachers, community or faith leaders, coaches, camp counselors, or other individuals familiar with your student.
The essay will ask families to reflect on how they honor and contribute to their local community, how they and their child(ren) will benefit from receiving such a scholarship, and how Vail Mountain School will benefit from having their family and their student join the community.
Thank everyone at VMS for seeing our child. Not just his grades or test scores but who he is. The priority you place on knowing him as a human plays a vital role in unlocking his academic potential.
Upper School VMS Parent
FAQs
Who is Eligible?
Any NEW K-12 student not currently enrolled for the 2025-2026 VMS School Year is eligible.
Will this Scholarship continue through my student's VMS career?
The Scholarship Awards are renewable throughout the merit-scholars' tenure in their current division, provided the student remains in good standing.
Can Scholarship Award recipients also apply for Flexible Tuition?
Yes! Both new scholarships are compatible with Flexible Tuition rates for eligible families.
Is there a deadline to apply?
For priority consideration, we recommend completing your applications by February 1, 2025. However, we will accept completed applications through March 31, 2025.
How do I Apply?
Apply to Vail Mountain School at www.vms.edu/apply
- Complete the Parent/Guardian Essay. VMS wants to learn about your child’s potential ability to make positive contributions to their school and community.
- Request 2-3 letters of recommendation from teachers, community or faith leaders, coaches, camp counselors, or individuals outside of the family setting who know your student well.
Mountain Locals Scholarship
