Grants—VT State, Federal & College Grants

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.

IMPORTANT: Has your financial situation changed due to pressures caused by COVID-19 or other reasons? You may be able to receive more aid for college or training from your school and from VSAC. If you received a Vermont state grant — OR financial aid from the institutions you plan to attend — you can ask for reconsideration of your aid package. Students who successfully appealed Vermont state grants last year received, on average, an additional $3,000 in state grant aid. And if you haven't yet applied for a Vermont grant, there's still time to do so.

View the webinar from June 24, 2020, explaining how to successfully appeal your financial aid offer.

There are 3 kinds of grants you can use for your education or training:

  • Vermont need-based grants that VSAC administers on behalf of the State of Vermont—the Incentive Grant (full-time enrollment), the Part-Time Grant (part-time enrollment), and the Advancement Grant (for shorter non-degree programs to improve your ability to get a job or to explore college). Eligible students received from $1,000 to $12,300 during the 2019–2020 academic year. Don't miss out!

    Learn more & apply >

  • Federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education—Pell grants, FSEOG grants, TEACH grants, Iraq & Afghanistan service grants
  • College grants from your school

And learn more about how financial aid works. Attend our virtual Managing College Costs event to learn about financial aid for college or career training after high school. Watch the video and find resources >

More COVID-19 Support

For students entering or continuing in college and training, we've made it easier and faster to apply for funds to help pay the costs.

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.

  • If you have a Vermont grant application on file from the current academic year and were eligible for a grant, VSAC will automatically use the information on that application to consider you for a grant for next year. 
  • All students should monitor their myVSAC accounts for requests for additional information.
  • Important: All students must still complete the FAFSA each year. Find details and apply here.
  • Please call us at 800-882-4166 or email grants@vsac.org if you have questions.

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 the current crisis. Watch the video above for more details, and contact VSAC.

  • If you've applied for a grant and have experienced a change in financial circumstances, please call us at 800-882-4166 or email grants@vsac.org. 

If you're a Vermont resident, you may be eligible to receive grant money from the state through VSAC.

Vermont Incentive Grant

Who should apply?

Vermont residents who:

  • Are accepted or enrolled full-time (> 12 credits per term) in an undergraduate degree or certificate program that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Federal Title IV aid programs
  • Do not already have a bachelor's degree, unless you're:
    • 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
How much grant money will I receive?

Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding. During the 2019-2020 academic year, eligible students received awards ranging from $1,000 to $12,300.

The amount you receive will depend on your:

  • Financial need
  • Total cost of attendance at your college of choice
  • Timing (applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available)
Is there a limit to the number of grants that I can receive?

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.

How do I apply?
  1. First, fill out the FAFSA. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA > 
  2. Then, complete a Vermont Grant application. Get tips for applying for a Vermont Grant > 

    Vermont Part-Time Grant

    Who should apply?

    Vermont residents who:

    • Are accepted or enrolled part-time (< 12 credits per term) in an undergraduate degree or certificate program that's approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Federal Title IV aid programs
    • Do not already have a bachelor's degree, unless you're:
      • Enrolled as a medical student in the M.D. program at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or
      • Enrolled in an accredited doctor of veterinary medicine program
    How much grant money will I receive?

    Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding. During the 2019-2020 academic year, eligible students received awards ranging from $500 to $9,230.

    The amount you receive will depend on your:

    • Financial need
    • Total cost of attendance at your college of choice
    • Total number of credit hours in which you enroll each semester/trimester/etc.
    • Timing (applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available)
    Is there a limit to the number of grants that I can receive?

    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.

    How do I apply?
    1. First, fill out the FAFSA. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA > 
    2. Then, complete a Vermont Grant application. Get tips for applying for a Vermont Grant >

      Advancement Grant

      (previously the Vermont Non-Degree Grant)

      Who should apply?

      Vermont residents who:

      • Are not enrolled in high school
      • Are enrolled in a non-degree (non-matriculated) course or program that will improve your ability to get a job or that encourages further study
      How much grant money will I receive?

      Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding.

      The amount you receive will depend on your:

      • Financial need
      • Total course cost
      • Program type
      • Timing (applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available)
      Is there a limit to the number of grants that I can receive?

      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. 

      How do I apply?

      Complete an Advancement Grant application. Get tips for applying for an Advancement Grant > 

      Ready to apply?

      Create a MyVSAC account and apply now.

      APPLY NOW

      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:

      Federal Pell grants

      Who should apply?

      All undergraduate students who:

      • Are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in eligible degree programs
      • Do not yet have a bachelor’s or professional degree
      • Are not currently incarcerated (in jail or prison) or subjected to an involuntary post-incarceration commitment (like probation)

      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.

      How much grant money will I receive?

      Grant amounts vary by student and by year, depending on available funding. During the 2019-2020 academic year, eligible students received awards ranging from $623 to $6,195.

      The amount you receive will depend on your:

      • Financial need
      • Total cost of attendance at your college of choice
      • Student status (full-time or part-time)
      • Commitment to attending school for a full academic year or less
      Is there a limit to the number of grants that I can receive?

      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.

      How do I apply?

      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 > 

      The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

      Who should apply?

      All undergraduate students who:

      • Are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in eligible degree programs
      • Do not yet have a bachelor’s or professional degree
      • Are not currently incarcerated (in jail or prison) or subjected to an involuntary post-incarceration commitment (like probation) 

       Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/fseog for more information about eligibility for FSEOG.

      How much grant money will I receive?

      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:

      • Financial need (FSEOG grants are reserved for those with the greatest financial need)
      • Other forms of financial aid (priority is given to Pell Grant recipients)
      • School’s total available FSEOG funds (apply early; funding is often limited!)
      How do I apply?
      1. Fill out the FAFSA. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA >
      2. Ask the college’s financial aid counselor or look on the school’s website to see if the school offers the FSEOG. If yes, look for financial aid deadlines and forms that may be required in addition to the FAFSA.

      The TEACH grant program

      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.

      Who should apply?

      Find TEACH grant eligibility requirements at StudentAid.ed.gov.

      How much grant money will I receive?

      The TEACH Grant program offers grants of up to $3,736 per year.

      How do I apply?
      1. Fill out the FAFSA. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA >
      2. Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website for more information on the TEACH Grant program.
      3. Contact your school’s financial aid office to ask if the school participates in the TEACH Grant program.

      Iraq and Afghanistan service grant

      Who should apply?

      Find Iran and Afghanistan service grant eligibility requirements at StudentAid.ed.gov.

      How much grant money will I receive?

      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.  

      Get more information for members of the military >

      How do I apply?
      1. Fill out the FAFSA. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA >  

       

      College-specific grants

      Who should apply?

      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.

      How do I apply?

      To apply, check with each school’s financial aid office to ask about the grants they may offer and the forms they may require.

      1. Fill out the FAFSA. Get tips for filling out the FAFSA >
      2. Ask the school’s financial aid counselor or look on the school’s website to see what grants may be offered. Be sure to look for financial aid deadlines and additional forms that may be required. 

       

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