A New Scholarship, Powered by Phish Fans, for Music Students Attending College in Vermont

Mockingbird & VSAC logos lockup

The Mockingbird Foundation Music Scholarship, funded entirely by fans, will give students a boost in perpetuity, outlasting the band, fans, & Mockingbird itself

WINOOSKI, VT, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A new scholarship is giving students a boost—funded entirely by Phish fans. The Mockingbird Foundation, a nonprofit created by fans of the band, has partnered with the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) to launch The Mockingbird Foundation Music Scholarship. The Scholarship is funded in perpetuity to outlast the band, Phish fans, and even The Mockingbird Foundation itself.

Supported by “phans” of Phish, The Mockingbird Foundation Music Scholarship was established to help undergraduate students, attending an accredited school located within Vermont, who are seeking an undergraduate degree in music or music education.

"Phish has always been about community—the way a gathering of strangers becomes something bigger through music," said Ellis Godard of The Mockingbird Foundation. "This scholarship lets that community give something back that is bigger than all of us: support for Vermont students to pursue music education and carry that spirit forward into classrooms and communities of their own—forever."

The iconic band was formed by four University of Vermont students in 1983. The Mockingbird Foundation was created in 1996 by devoted Phish fans, independent of the band and their management, to channel their shared passion for music into funding innovative, inclusive music education programs for children nationwide.

Scott Giles, VSAC President and CEO, noted, “Phish fans will now be able to directly help students in Vermont who share a passion for music. VSAC is delighted to help support generations of learners who share fans’ enthusiasm for the power of song.”

Applications for The Mockingbird Foundation Music Scholarship are now open. Successful applicants will demonstrate commitment to excellence, innovation, academic achievement, and service to others. Current students who show financial need and are in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college, enrolled at least three-quarter time, are eligible to apply.

Required application documents include VSAC’s Unified Scholarship Application, FAFSA, an essay, a letter of recommendation from a person who is not a relative, a letter of recommendation detailing community service, and a transcript. Students will be selected based on their essays, financial need, recommendation letters, and academic achievement. The number of scholarships and award amount will be determined annually.

For more information on The Mockingbird Foundation Music Scholarship, please see the 2027-2028 VSAC Scholarship Booklet.

The Mockingbird Foundation is an all-volunteer, fan-founded and -managed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting music education for children. In addition to the new Mockingbird Foundation Music Scholarship managed in partnership with VSAC, the Foundation is a leading grantmaker in music education for children. The Foundation has now made 805 grants in all 50 states, totaling more than $3M. Funds for grants are generated through donations from a loyal base of fans, as well as through books, recordings, artwork, merchandise, and special events. Mockingbird is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through phish.net (and three associated books, so far) since 1994. The Foundation has been operated entirely by volunteer fans of the band, without any salaries or paid staff, since its inception in 1996.

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12 as well as adults returning to school by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC awards millions of dollars in grants and scholarships for Vermont students and administers Vermont’s VT529 college savings plan. Learn more at www.vsac.org, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Contact:
Ellis Godard, The Mockingbird Foundation: ellis@mbird.org, 805-276-0817
Vicky Tebbetts, VSAC: tebbetts@vsac.org, 802-793-9729

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Ellis Godard
The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc.
+1 805-276-0817
ellis@mbird.org
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