Learn more about the limited time waiver for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Learn more about the Department of Education's recent announcement about Income-Driven Repayment Account Adjustments.
Learn more about the limited time waiver for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Learn more about the Department of Education's recent announcement about Income-Driven Repayment Account Adjustments.
Grants are financial aid that you do not need to pay back. That’s why they’re often called “gift aid.” Grants are awarded based on financial need.
There are 3 kinds of grants you can use for your education or training:
You also may be able to receive grant money offered by the U.S. federal government. Below are 3 grant options that many Vermont residents receive:
All undergraduate students who:
Sometimes, students enrolled in a post baccalaureate teacher certification program can also receive Pell Grants. Visit StudentAid.edu.gov and search for “Pell Grants” to learn more about eligibility.
Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding. During the 2021–2022 academic year, eligible students received awards ranging from $650 to $6,495.
The amount you receive will depend on your:
Yes. You can receive up to 12 semesters—or the equivalent (roughly 6 years)—in Pell Grants. You'll receive a notice if you're getting close to your limit. Contact your financial aid office with questions.
Fill out the FAFSA. Remember to be in touch with your college financial aid office to find out what other forms they may require you to complete. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA >
All undergraduate students who:
Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/fseog for more information about eligibility for FSEOG.
Grants range from $100 to $4,000 per year. Not every school offers FSEOG funding. If your school offers FSEOG grants, the amount you receive will depend on your:
Before you consider a Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, you should know that it works differently than other student grants. To get this grant, you’ll need to take certain classes. And after you graduate, you’ll need to do a certain kind of job. Otherwise, the grant will turn into a loan that you’ll need to pay back with interest.
Find TEACH grant eligibility requirements at StudentAid.ed.gov.
The TEACH Grant program offers grants of up to $4,000 per year.
Find Iran and Afghanistan service grant eligibility requirements at StudentAid.ed.gov.
Grant amounts range up to $5,529 for the 2017-2018 award year. The award amount equals the year’s maximum amount of the Federal Pell Grant, but can’t be more than your total cost of attendance that year.
Visit StudentAid.ed.gov and search for “Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant” to learn more.
The federal government and nonprofit organizations offer other opportunities to get money for college to veterans, future military personnel, active duty personnel, or those related to veterans or active duty personnel—like the Vermont State Scholarships for military service members.
If you're a Vermont resident, you may be eligible to receive grant money from the state through VSAC.
Vermont residents who:
Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding. During the 2021–2022 academic year, eligible students have received awards ranging from $1,000 to $12,800.
The amount you receive will depend on your:
Yes. You can receive up to 10 semesters of full-time grants until you receive your first bachelor’s degree—unless you're enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or enroll in an accredited doctor of veterinary medicine program.
Vermont residents who:
Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding. During the 2021–2022 academic year, eligible students have received awards ranging from $500 to $9,600.
The amount you receive will depend on your:
Yes. You can receive the equivalent of 10 semesters of full-time grants until you receive your first bachelor’s degree—unless you're enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or enroll in an accredited doctor of veterinary medicine program.
(previously the Vermont Non-Degree Grant)
Vermont residents who:
Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding.
The amount you receive will depend on your:
Yes. You can receive an Advancement Grant for up to 2 courses per enrollment term—up to 2 enrollment terms per financial year (July 1–June 30) and 6 enrollment terms total.
Complete an Advancement Grant application. Get tips for applying for an Advancement Grant >
Create a MyVSAC account and apply now.
All students attending a college or career training program should ask about other grant opportunities. Your school may have its own grants to offer. College-specific grant eligibility is based on factors that differ from school to school, depending on the kinds of students the school wants to attract and the amount of money they have to give away.
To apply, check with each school’s financial aid office to ask about the grants they may offer and the forms they may require.
For students entering or continuing in college and training, we've made it easier and faster to apply for funds.
Income adjustments: Applicants may use estimated 2020 income (rather than income reported on their 2018 tax returns) to better reflect any changes to employment status as a result of COVID-19.
Auto-renewal: To reduce the paperwork burden for returning students, VSAC is offering to automatically renew the Vermont grant application as well as any renewable VSAC-assisted scholarships that students received in the prior year.
Yes, the Vermont grant and most scholarships may be used out of state at this time. Some scholarships can be used only at a Vermont college and will indicate so in the scholarship description within our scholarships booklet.
The Vermont grant can be used at a Canadian university if the school is approved for Title IV funding (Direct student loan and PLUS).
You do not need to be a high school senior to be eligible for scholarships. VSAC-assisted scholarships are also available to adult students, college students, and graduate students. Be sure to read each scholarship description carefully to determine the eligibility requirements.
If your current income is lower than the income reported on the FAFSA, be sure to contact each college financial aid office and VSAC. We may be able to consider your lower income when determining financial aid or Vermont grant eligibility.
Either form can be completed first. As long as you complete both, VSAC will match up each application with the other once both are received.
Please call us at 800-882-4166 or 802-654-3750, and we’ll verify that the change has been made.
For financial aid purposes, students are considered dependent until the age of 24. Unless the student has a legal guardian (other than their parents), or was a Ward of the Court, they'll need to provide parent information on the FAFSA and the VT grant application. Providing parent information does not require that the parent pay for college; it’s used simply to determine financial aid eligibility.
If you’re taking 2 classes as a dual enrollment program but not enrolled at CCV as an Early College student, answer “no.” If you’re unsure, give us a call at 800-882-4166 or 802-654-3750, and we'll be happy to talk with you further.
UVM is not a college that is eligible for the Early College program.
During 2022–2023, the student would indicate they are a sophomore.
We recommend the student write a new essay that covers all of the essay requirements listed in the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet. Remember, the student is competing for the scholarship, and this is their opportunity to speak to the scholarship committee.
The scholarships booklet is searchable using key words (using Ctrl-F); however, it isn’t searchable in the sense of providing a list of scholarships available, for example, to students of a specific county.
We recommend that the student provide new, specific recommendation letters that meet all of the recommendation requirements listed in the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet. Remember, the student is competing for the scholarship, and this is the opportunity for the author of the recommendation letter to speak to the scholarship committee.
Yes. Although a high school may not calculate a GPA, if the student meets all other eligibility requirements, the student's information will still be submitted to the scholarship committee.
Most high schools should be in the drop-down list. However, if a student cannot find their high school, the application has a box they can check to indicate they can't find their high school. They’ll then be able to type in the name of the high school.
The last third of the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet lists scholarships that VSAC does not assist with but are available to Vermont students. Learn more about searching for additional scholarships >
The 802 Opportunity Grant is based on the parents' income for dependent students, and student income for self-supporting students.
High schools and college financial aid offices may have a list of scholarships that are based on merit. Learn more about searching for additional scholarships >
The Unified Scholarship Application for the 2022–2023 is available now. You should complete the application as soon as possible and be sure that the USA and all required documents are submitted by the February 11, 2022, deadline.
Scholarships for the 2022–2023 academic year will be awarded in mid-April 2022.
Neither the VT grant nor scholarships can be deferred. Students should reapply in October, the year prior to when they’ll be going to school.
Neither the VT grant nor scholarships can be deferred. Students should reapply in October, the year prior to when they’ll be going to school.