Scholarships for Vermont Military Service Members

ARMED SERVICES SCHOLARSHIP

(Sponsored by the State of Vermont)

This program was created by the Vermont Legislature to provide free tuition for the families of Vermont National Guard (VTNG), or U.S. active reserve or active armed services members who have died while on active or inactive duty.

Eligibility —To receive this award, you must be:

A child, stepchild, or spouse of:

• A member in good standing of the VTNG who since 1955 has been killed or who since January 1, 2001, has died while on active or inactive duty per the terms in Vermont statute, Title 16, Chapter 79, Sections 2537-2541

OR

• A member in good standing of the U.S. active reserve forces who, since January 1, 2001, has died while on active or inactive duty and who was a Vermont resident at the time of death

OR

• A member of the U.S. active armed forces who, since January 1, 2001, has died while on active duty and who, at the time of death, was either:
  • A Vermont resident
  • A nonresident member of the VTNG who was mobilized to active duty
  • Or a nonresident active reserve force member of a Vermont-based reserve unit who was mobilized to active duty

AND

• Determined eligible by the VTNG or the U.S. armed forces
  
  AND
• Enrolled in an approved program at a Vermont university, college, post-secondary institution, or technical institute leading to a certificate or degree (other than a postgraduate degree)

Required documents:

• Unified Scholarship Application (USA) 
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
• The following documents may also be required:
   
  • Your birth certificate
  • Your marriage certificate
  • A letter from the Adjutant General

Selection: Applicants are reviewed by VSAC. Selection is based on eligibility and available funds.

Amount: The maximum Armed Services Scholarship will not exceed:

• Full-time (up to 18 credits per semester) tuition at a public Vermont university, college, or technical institution, including:
   
  • University of Vermont
  • Castleton University
  • Johnson State College
  • Lyndon State College
  • Vermont Technical College
  • Community College of Vermont

OR

• Full-time (up to 18 credits per semester) tuition up to an amount equal to the in-state tuition for that year at a Vermont state college, including:
  • Castleton University
  • Johnson State College
  • Lyndon State College

An Armed Services Scholarship may be used for the number of academic credits needed to graduate, up to a maximum of 130 credits. If you receive a federal Pell Grant, the amount of the grant will be deducted from the amount you can receive under the Armed Services Scholarship.

Deadline: Completed applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

(Sponsored by the State of Vermont)

This program was established as an interest-free and forgivable loan program in 1998 by the Vermont General Assembly. Loan forgiveness means that you no longer have to pay part, or all, of the loan. The goal is to recruit and retain high-quality VTNG members.

Eligibility—To receive this award, you must:

• Attend a Vermont university, college, or regional technical center
• Seek a degree or diploma, or be studying relevant continuing education
• Be an active member in good standing of a federally recognized unit of the Vermont Army or Air National Guard

AND

• Have successfully completed basic training or commissioning

Required documents:

• Unified Scholarship Application
• Certification—NGEAP form 

Selection: Applicants are reviewed by VSAC. Selection is based on eligibility and available funds.

Amount:

• The amount of money available for this award varies from year to year.
• The award is a loan that covers tuition and fees only. If you receive other grants or scholarships that cover all or part of your tuition and fees, the award amount will be reduced and your school will be required to return the funds to VSAC.
• The award amount is for the entire academic year and is based on being a full-time student (12 or more credits per term). If you’re enrolled less than full-time, the amount will be adjusted accordingly.

Loan cancellation: To be eligible for partial or complete forgiveness of this interest-free loan, you must:

• Successfully complete/pass the course(s) for which the funds are paying

AND

• Complete 2 years of service in the VTNG for each full academic year paid for through this program

Each year, VSAC decides how much of the interest-free loan will be forgiven for each completed year of VTNG service. By law, the amount forgiven for each year of service cannot exceed 50% of the interest-free loan.

Deadline: Completed applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SERVICE GRANT OR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL PELL GRANT FUNDS

(Administered and paid by Federal Student Aid)

If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, you may be eligible for additional aid. To learn more visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/military

VERMONT AIR NATIONAL GUARD MONTGOMERY GI BILL CHAPTER 1606

(Administered and paid by the Veterans Administration)

Eligibility- To receive this award you must:

• Be a high school graduate or GED recipient
• Be a member of the Vermont Air National Guard with a six-year commitment
• Enroll in a VA-approved course of study or training program.

Required Documents: N/A

Amount: Contact your Vermont National Guard recruiter for information regarding amount of payments.

Selection:  Six-year service commitment and completion of basic and technical training.

Application: Obtain additional information and details from:

• Vermont Air National Guard recruiter 800-242-4055
• Vermont Air National Guard retention office manager 802-660-5211

VERMONT AIR NATIONAL GUARD MONTGOMERY GI BILL KICKER PROGRAM

(Administered and paid by the Veterans Administration)

Eligibility- To receive this award you must:

• Meet eligibility criteria for the Montgomery GI Bill benefit
• Be a high school graduate or GED recipient
• Enroll in a VA-approved course of study or training program
• Enlist for six years in an incentive-eligible career field in the Vermont Air National Guard

Required Documents: N/A

Amount: Contact your Vermont National Guard recruiter for information regarding amount of payments.

Selection:  Six-year service commitment and completion of basic and technical training.

Application: Obtain additional information and details from:

• Vermont Air National Guard recruiter 800-242-4055
• Vermont Air National Guard retention office manager 802-660-5211

VERMONT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MONTGOMERY CHAPTER 1606 GI BILL

(Administered and paid by the Veterans Administration)

Eligibility- To receive this award you must:

• Be a high school graduate or GED recipient
• Have become a member of the Selected Reserve or National Guard since July 1, 1985, with a six-year commitment
• Enroll in a VA-approved course of study or training program

Required Documents: N/A

Amount: Contact your Vermont National Guard recruiter for information regarding amount of payments.

Effective October 1, 2015, federal tuition assistance and Chapter 1606 GI Bill cannot be utilized for the same course.

Selection:  Six-year service commitment and completion of basic and technical training.

Application: Obtain additional information and details from:

• Local Vermont Army National Guard recruiter
• Local Guard unit
• Vermont Army National Guard Education Office 802-338-3378

For more information on federal aid for military families, visit StudentAid.edu.gov >