Grants—VT State, Federal & College Grants

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

Full-time Students: 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 2021–2022 academic year, eligible students have received awards ranging from $1,000 to $12,800.

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 > 

Part-time Students: 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 2021–2022 academic year, eligible students have received awards ranging from $500 to $9,600.

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 >

Short-term Training: 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 > 

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 2021–2022 academic year, eligible students received awards ranging from $650 to $6,495.

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 $4,000 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. 

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. 

• 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. 

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.

Eligibility

If a student is a resident of Vermont but plans to go to school out of state, can the grants and scholarships be used at an out-of-state school?

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.

Can I use a Vermont grant at a university in Canada?

The Vermont grant can be used at a Canadian university if the school is approved for Title IV funding (Direct student loan and PLUS).

Do you need to be a high school student to be eligible for scholarships?

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.

FAFSA & the Grant Application

What if your income has changed dramatically, since the FAFSA information is from the prior year?

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.

Which form should be filled out first — the FAFSA or VSAC grant application? And if we fill out FAFSA, do we still need to fill out VT grant application with VSAC?

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.

VT Grant Applications

When I first submitted my VT grant application with VSAC, I thought that I was looking at graduate school, but I'm now doing another year of my undergrad. I believe that I emailed and corrected this status, but how can I ensure that I’m listed as an undergraduate student?

Please call us at 800-882-4166 or 802-654-3750, and we’ll verify that the change has been made.

If a student is over 18 and is their own guardian, and parent or parents are unable to help pay for college, should the student check "dependency override" on the VT grant application?

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.

What if I’m taking 2 classes at CCV during senior year of high school, do I still type "no" to the Early College question on the VT grant application? How about if you’re unsure?

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.

Can I apply for the Early College program if I’m taking class at UVM next year?

UVM is not a college that is eligible for the Early College program.

If a student is currently in an Early College year now, will they enter a freshman or sophomore for the 2022–2023 year.

During 2022–2023, the student would indicate they are a sophomore.

VSAC-Assisted Scholarship Applications

Can the essay written for the Common App be used for the scholarship application?

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.

Is the scholarship list searchable online?

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.

If you already have letters of recommendation from teachers for the college applications, can you reuse one for the USA application?

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.

Is there any way for students who don't have a GPA to apply for scholarships with a GPA requirement?

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.

On the scholarship application, what should applicants do if their high school is not on the list on the?

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.

Other Scholarships

Are there additional scholarships available that a student may be eligible for that aren't in the booklet?

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 >

For the 802 Opportunity Grant, is the $50,000 household income based on student's income (if they’re 18 or older) or based on the parents' income?

The 802 Opportunity Grant is based on the parents' income for dependent students, and student income for self-supporting students.

Where can we find more info on merit-based scholarships?

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 >

Scholarship Application Dates & Deadlines

When should I start applying for scholarships, and when is the deadline for applying?

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.

When are scholarships generally awarded to students?

Scholarships for the 2022–2023 academic year will be awarded in mid-April 2022.

Gap Year & Deferment

If the student decides to take a gap year, can their grant be deferred?

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.

Can scholarships be deferred if the student takes a gap year?

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.