Grants—Free aid that doesn't need to be paid back

If you're a Vermont resident considering a college program or short-term training, you may be eligible to receive grant money from the state through VSAC.

Vermont Grant

Who should apply?

Vermont residents who:

• Are accepted or enrolled in a full-time or part-time undergraduate degree or certificate program that's approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Federal Title IV aid programs
• Don't 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. 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)

During the 2022–2023 academic year:

• eligible students enrolled full time (>12 credits per term) received awards ranging from $1,000 to $14,000.
• eligible students enrolled part time (<12 credits per term received awards ranging from $500 to $10,500.

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?

Follow these 3 steps to apply for a Vermont grant:

1. Log into your MyVSAC account.

If you don’t have a MyVSAC account, click on “Register now” in the box labeled “New to MyVSAC?” and follow the directions to create one.

2. Fill out the Vermont Grant Application.

Once logged into MyVSAC, click on “Work with Grants” and then choose "Apply for a Vermont Grant" under the left menu.

3. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

   If you're applying for the Vermont Grant, make sure you submit your FAFSA every school year.

Information you'll need for your application

Before you start your Vermont grant application, be sure to gather what you need:

• Your Social Security number
• Information on whether you’re enrolling in an early college program 
• Financial information (yours, and your spouse if applicable, or your parents’—depending on your responses to specific questions in the application), including the value and any debt of your or your parents’ current assets (home, farm, and/or business)
• If you are prompted for financial information on your parents:
  • you'll also need their Social Security number
  • 1 parent will need to sign the online application before you submit it

Short-term Training: Advancement 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?

Follow these steps to apply for the Advancement Grant (non-degree courses):

1. Log into your MyVSAC account.

If you don’t have a MyVSAC account, click on “Register now” in the box labeled “New to MyVSAC?” and follow the directions to create one.

2. Fill out the Advancement Grant application (for non-degree courses).

Once logged into MyVSAC, click on “Work with Grants” and then choose "Apply for a Vermont Grant" under the left menu.

Information you'll need for your application

Before you start your Advancement Grant application, be sure to gather what you need:

• Your Social Security number
• Your school or program and enrollment term (summer, fall, winter, spring)
• The name of the course you're taking plus course cost information and course start date
• The source and amount of other aid you're receiving
• Financial information (yours, your spouse if applicable, or your parents’) depending on your responses to specific questions in the application, including:
  • Yearly amount of child support (only the amount paid)
  • Federal Income tax return (if filed)
  • Untaxed income (income not included on tax return, such as child support received)
  • Assets—including savings and checking accounts, value and any debt for your current assets (home, farm, and/or business), and other real estate/investment equity

 

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.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.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/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.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.