Time to invest in yourself with VSAC’s 802Opportunity

Longer days give you a chance to reflect on what you love about life, and what you want to change in the future. Education has always been a powerful tool for enhancing life choices and goals. If you see college education as a gateway to a new life, consider 802Opportunity. 802Opportunity is administered by VSAC in partnership with the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and is available to Vermonters looking to earn an associate degree, take a class to try on a new career, re-skill, or finish a degree.

802Opportunity pays for up to two years of free tuition at CCV. The program is available to Vermont students who fit these two criteria:

• have a family Adjusted Gross Income of $100,000 or less per year
• don't already have a bachelor’s degree

According to the latest Census, about three out of four Vermont families qualify for this free college tuition grant.

Thousands of students who may have otherwise been discouraged by the cost of education or career training, have walked through CCV’s open doors. For example, Halley Riley-Elliott, the Vehicle Maintenance Manager at Killington Resort, “...was that kid who never wanted to go to college. I thought it was too expensive.” Now she oversees anything on the mountain that has a motor: snowcats, ATVs, side-by-sides.

Halley decided to work as a mechanic when she bought a Jeep Wrangler, and graduated with her associate degree in Diesel Power Tech from Vermont State University, Randolph. Halley notes that an associate degree was a milestone in her journey. Once she was introduced to the possibility of going to technical school, rather than four years of college, the wheels on her Jeep turned along with her perspective—and she started to reconsider.

Vermont Career Connect: Meet Halley Riley-Elliot, Vehicle Maintenance Manager, Killington Resort

What does your future look like? With 802Opportunity, you’ll find the space to figure it out.

When most people think about community college, they think about a traditional two-year associate degree. At CCV, you could earn an associate degree in business, education, healthcare, behavioral science, information technology, manufacturing, and STEM fields. But you may be surprised to find out that CCV courses can also lead to digital badges, credentials, and certificates, via flexible pathways where credits add up while working toward a degree. 

After earning an associate degree, nearly half of all CCV graduates choose to continue their education. CCV makes this easy with ready-to-use transfer agreements with schools within the Vermont State University system. So if you have some college credits but haven't completed your degree, now is the perfect time to finish what you started, tuition-free. CCV’s stackable credits also unlock a world of opportunity (802Opportunity, that is!) to try new things.

Love kids but not sure if teaching is for you? Take classes to earn a certificate in After School and Youth Work. 

Are you everyone’s go-to when they are having internet or computer issues? Try out a credential in Cybersecurity or a certificate in IT Support before you decide to go for a full associate degree in Information Technology. 

What subject would you like to try before you jump in? At a recent Vermont Career Connect panel discussion, Stephane Katende described his education journey. What started as his middle school goal of being a superstar singer, led to discovering a love for computers (along with gaming) in high school. Now a software engineer, Stephane recommends, "Try a bunch of different things and be comfortable with what drives you—if you find something you love, you know it's what you want to do."

Vermont Career Connect: Stephane Katende, Software Engineer, Control Technologies

Flexible programming makes it even easier to pursue your dreams

Most people need a regular paycheck so they can keep paying their bills while taking classes. Even if you aren’t currently employed, chances are you have commitments that fill (or overfill!) your life. When you leverage 802Opportunity at CCV, not only is your tuition free, but the program’s flexibility makes education manageable so you can manage your time and responsibilities.

Classes at CCV are offered in person or online, part-time or full-time, during the day or in the evening. Flexible programming makes it easier to:

• Work and stay out of debt.
• Upskill at your current job with an eye toward a new role or promotion.
• Be present for your children or family while preparing for future employment or keeping your skills current. 

For instance, Business programs at CCV include three degrees:

1. Accounting
2. Business, and
3. Professional Studies

And six certificates that can be completed 100% online:

1. Bookkeeping
2. Digital Marketing
3. Entrepreneurship
4. Funeral Director
5. Human Resources Management, and
6. Leadership Skills

VSAC and CCV's 802Opportunity make it easy to discover and create a new journey. Here are a few takeaways from last year:

• More than 2,800 Vermonters, from all 14 counties, enrolled at the 12 CCV academic sites using 802Opportunity, up 34% since its first year of existence.
• The two-year program is open to new or returning students of any age. Last year, students ranged in age from 17–79, with an average age of 30.
• And more than 379 students completed their degree or certification. Read how 802Opportunity is reducing barriers and providing opportunities to Vermonters.

How will education make a difference in my life?

Education increases economic opportunity. Studies show the high-demand, high-pay jobs in Vermont require college or training, and education is the key to, well … nearly everything in life. An associate degree, certificate, or credential from CCV can provide the knowledge and skills you’ll need to pursue a higher-paying job, advance in the job you have, or build a bridge into advanced programs and courses. You can choose from more than 30 flexible programs in highly sought-after career fields at CCV.

Connecting with a mentor or someone who is working in the field can also be a good start. They'll help you understand the possibilities of how a degree translates to real world work. For instance:

• An Early Childhood Education associate of arts degree helps students develop knowledge, skills, and experience to work effectively with young children and families.
• An Information Technology associate of science degree prepares students to provide support to systems and troubleshoot issues encountered by users.
• A Pharmacy Technician certificate prepares students to locate, dispense, pack, and label prescribed medication under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• A Workplace Skills certificate provides students with the skills necessary to be successful in today's workplace: good communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision making.

802Opportunity exists because Vermont has decided to invest in you.

Funding for 802Opportunity was first approved by the Vermont Legislature and Governor Scott in 2021. Recognizing the success of the program, the Legislature and Governor Scott included 802Opportunity in the state’s base budget in 2023, providing permanent funding for the program. Now in its fifth year, the 802Opportunity income eligibility threshold has doubled to $100,000 from its original threshold of $50,000.

Why does Vermont want to invest in the 802Opportunity? Because offering opportunities to raise skills and lower debt for all Vermonters is critical to making our state more affordable, and cultivating Vermont’s workforce is foundational to the future of all Vermonters.

“Education is key to economic opportunity,” notes Scott Giles, President and CEO of VSAC.

802Opportunity—a nationally recognized breakthrough in higher education—removes financial barriers so students can obtain the education they need to pursue Vermont’s high-demand, high-wage jobs. We are thankful that Vermont’s leaders have expanded 802Opportunity to empower more students to take the next step toward a brighter future for themselves, their families, and our communities.

And it also means: Great jobs with Vermont employers are waiting. For you. 

Ready to jumpstart your future? Spring, summer, and fall start dates

We hope you’re ready to invest in your future because Vermont is ready to invest in you! View CCV's academic calendar to see registration and class start dates for the annual spring, summer, and fall semesters. You can explore all CCV associate, credential, and certificate programs to find the perfect one for you.

Start by applying for an 802Opportunity grant and looking through our FAQ. The grant, in combination with state and federal grant aid, covers tuition for all credits in a degree program of the student’s choice, as well as the $100 administrative fee. The grant does not cover lab and studio fees, books, or other supplies. You can also give us a call at 800-642-3177, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and contact us online at info@vsac.org.