If you’re a high school senior or current college student (or a parent) looking for ways to pay for higher education in Vermont, you’re in luck. The State of Vermont has a robust list of scholarships and grants to choose from.
Vermont’s financial aid programs are administered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). Below, we offer a summary of the resources offered to Vermont residents, including links to grants and a scholarship database offered by VSAC.
In addition to grant and scholarship opportunities, VSAC offers resources to help students and families navigate the cost of college. There’s a lot of material to browse, but here’s one of the most important points to know: it’s important to read all eligibility requirements for any grant or scholarship application you submit. Various types of scholarships and grants exist and they may all have different application processes.
For example, most state-funded scholarships require the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. However, it’s also used by states to determine your eligibility for prizes based on financial need.
So, let’s get to some prizes that can help you with the cost of college.
Vermont Scholarship Programs
Vermont’s scholarship system works a little differently than most other states. This is because of the Unified Scholarship Application (USA) (a single application for all VSAC-assisted scholarships). Essentially, VSAC has a list of approximately 120 scholarships. You can download the scholarship booklet for the 2023-2024 academic year here.
Important Note About Eligibility for Vermont Scholarships
To be eligibile for a VSAC college scholarship, applicants must be Vermont residents. Students must also be United States citizens or eligible non-citizens. For military service members, Vermont must be listed as the “home of record” on the USA application.
Moreover, there can be additional eligibility criteria for specific prizes. For example, you may need to attend a specific Vermont college or vocational school or you may need to declare a particular major field of study, such as engineering, social work, or education. Furthermore, there may be prizes for specific counties or towns. Also, you may need to be a current high school student, undergraduate, or graduate student. Last, but not least, you may need to demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and/or community service.
Scholarship amounts may vary, too. This depends on each specific award and potentially your full-time or part-time status while you attend college.
What does this all mean? It means that it’s important to read all terms and conditions before applying for scholarships.
Required Materials for Vermont Financial Aid
It’s important to get an early start on scholarships. You may be required to submit necessary materials like reference letters and scholarship essays.
When asking for reference letters, you should give your selected person as much notice as possible. Remember, this person is writing in support of you and it’s good practice to give them all the time and materials they need to write a quality reference letter.
Writing a scholarship essay also takes time. In addition to flawless grammar and presentation style, you’ll want to ensure that your personal statement tells your story. The best scholarship essays are written with great care and then revised (probably more than once!).
Examples of VSAC College Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
The following two examples indicate the variety of scholarships that can be found for students attending college in Vermont. The total list is approximately 120 so be sure to do your research!
Alice C. Coapland Scholarship
Alice C. Coapland established this scholarship in 2002. Before her death in 2004, she generously bequeathed her estate to fund this scholarship for female residents of northeastern Vermont who have high financial need and who wish to pursue education after high school.
Amount: $3,000
Eligibility:
- Be a female student seeking an undergraduate degree
- Reside in a town served by the following high schools: Craftsbury Academy, Lake Region Union High School, and North Country Union High School (Albany, Barton, Brighton, Brownington, Charleston, Coventry, Craftsbury, Derby, Glover, Greensboro, Hardwick, Holland, Irasburg, Jay, Lowell, Morgan, Newport City, Newport Town, Stannard, Troy, Westfield, Westmore, Wolcott, Woodbury)
- Enroll full time
- Demonstrate academic achievement and promise of continued excellence
- Demonstrate financial need
- Demonstrate school/community involvement
- Attend an accredited school
Richard T. Gates Engineering and Technology Endowed Challenge Scholarship
This scholarship was established to help worthy and able students pursue their bachelor of science degrees in engineering or technology.
Amount: $4,000
Eligibility:
- Born in Vermont
- Have parent(s) who is legal resident of Vermont
- Be a current high school senior currently attending a Windham County high school or Springfield High School
- Seek a science bachelor degree in engineering or technology
- Demonstrate academic achievement
- Demonstrate financial need
- Attend an accredited school
Scholarship Opportunities for Vermont Students with Military Service
In addition to the scholarships above, the State of Vermont offers a specific scholarship for military service members and their family. Here are the details for this program:
Armed Services Scholarship
This Armed Services Scholarship was created by the Vermont Legislature to provide free tuition for the families of Vermont National Guard (VTNG), or U.S. active reserve or active armed services members who have died while on active or inactive duty.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be a child, stepchild, or spouse of one of the following:
- A member in good standing of the VTNG who since 1955 has been killed or who since January 1, 2001, has died while on active or inactive duty per the terms in Vermont statute, Title 16, Chapter 79, Sections 2537-2541
OR
- A member in good standing of the U.S. active reserve forces who, since January 1, 2001, has died while on active or inactive duty and who was a Vermont resident at the time of death
OR
- A member of the U.S. active armed forces who, since January 1, 2001, has died while on active duty and who, at the time of death, was either:
- A Vermont resident
- Or a nonresident active reserve force member of a Vermont-based reserve unit who was mobilized to active duty
- A nonresident member of the VTNG who was mobilized to active duty
AND
- Determined eligible by the VTNG or the U.S. armed forces
-
Enrolled in an approved program at a Vermont state university, community college, certificate program, or technical institution (including: University of Vermont, Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, Vermont Technical College, Community College of Vermont)
Vermont Grant Programs
Vermont Part-Time and Full-Time Grant
The Vermont Grant offers financial aid to students in short-term training programs. It is open to Vermont residents enrolled full-time or part-time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an accredited institution. Other eligible students include those enrolled as a medical student in the M.D. program at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont or enrolled in an accredited doctor of veterinary medicine program.
Grant amounts vary by year, ranging from $1,000 to $14,000 for full-time studies and $500 to $10,500 for part-time studies.
Short-Term Training: Advancement Grant
The Short-Term Training Advancement Grant is open to Vermont students not currently enrolled in high school. You must also be enrolled in a non-degree (non-matriculated) course or program that will improve your ability to get a job or that encourages further study.
Grant amounts vary by year and depend on financial need, cost of attendance, program type, and other factors. Students can apply to this program through the Vermont Grant Application by following the link above.
Find Private Scholarships and Grants for Vermont College Students
While the list above offers great options for scholarships and grants, there are many more prizes to consider. Private scholarships are another great way to help you pay for college. Additionally, there are tons of these opportunities in existence.
The best places to start your search for private scholarships is at the local level. For example, you may want to speak with your guidance counselor, local library, or your school’s financial aid office. These resources can connect you with school-specific or local scholarships that often have less competition. Beyond that, you can connect with even more scholarship opportunities using our free scholarship finder.
Ultimately, it’s worth the effort to apply for scholarships. Winning money for school can help you graduate debt-free. Beyond this, winning awards can elevate your student profile and open new and exciting career opportunities for you. Don’t wait another second. It’s time to apply!
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