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
  • Northern Vermont University
  • 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
  • Northern Vermont University

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.

Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program

(Sponsored by the State of Vermont)

This program was established as an interest-free and forgivable loan program in 2018 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, the applicant must:

• attend a Vermont university, college, or eligible training institution offering certificate training or continuing education programs
• not have previously earned an undergraduate bachelor’s degree
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progress
• be an active member in good standing of the Vermont National Guard

AND

• have successfully completed basic training or commissioning
• have exhausted any post 9/11/2011 tuition benefits and other federally funded military tuition assistance, not including Montgomery GI Bill benefits, post-September 11, 2001 educational program housing allowances, federal educational entitlements, National Guard scholarship grants, loans under the National Guard Educational Assistance Program, and other nontuition benefits.
   

Required documents:

• Unified Scholarship Application
• Certification—VNGTBP form 
• VNGTBP Promissory Note

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

Amount:

• The amount of money available for this award varies depending on the applicant’s enrollment and the college the applicant is attending.
• The award is a loan that covers tuition only. If the applicant receives other grants or scholarships that cover all or part of their tuition, the award amount will be reduced and the school will be required to return the funds to VSAC.

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

• Complete 2 years of service in the VTNG for each full-time (12 credits or more) academic year paid for through this program.  
  • Service commitment is pro-rated below 12 credit hours. 
  • Certificate programs require a 6-month service commitment per certificate (up to two certificates per year).

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

For more information: Contact the Education Liaison at the Vermont National Guard.

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

Renewability: May be renewable for up to four years.

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

Renewability: May be renewable for up to four years.

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 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
• 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

Renewability: May be renewable for up to four years.

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 >