Planning for college or training next year? Apply for the Vermont Grant and explore VSAC’s free scholarship booklet to help you cover costs.
Pursue a career in skilled trades — tuition free
An interest-free, forgivable loan which pays up to 100% of tuition
A program for training and certification in select high-demand sectors
Are you looking for a career that's hands-on, rewarding, and in high demand? The trades offer a unique opportunity to build skills that last a lifetime.
Whether you're interested in construction, electrical work, plumbing, energy efficiency, emergency services, and more, this program can help you get the training you need to get on a path to a stable, well-paying job. With many job sectors facing a shortage of skilled workers, your skills will be in high demand.
Some popular and qualifying trades are:
- Construction
- Environmental HVAC Technician
- Plumbing
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Energy Efficiency Specialist
- Solar Panel Installer
- Robotics
Vermont Trades Scholarship Forgivable Loan
Funded by the Vermont Legislature, the Vermont Trades Forgivable Loan Program covers up to full tuition, initial licensing fees and exam fees for qualified students enrolled in an industry-recognized training and certification program that leads to a career in select high-demand trades sectors.
Funding for this program is limited and is awarded to qualifying students with financial need on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds are awarded.
Awards are provided as an interest-free loan, which is forgiven when you sign a promissory note and fulfill the following work obligation following licensure or certification completion:
- Agree to work full-time in Vermont in your profession for a minimum of one year for each year of funding received
Note: Vermont residency is not required but preference will be given to students enrolled in a Vermont-based training program.
Vermont Trades Scholarship FAQ
- Who is eligible?
Students who are:
- Vermont or non-Vermont residents who plan to work in Vermont in their profession after completion of their training program
- Able to demonstrate financial need
- Enrolled in industry-recognized training and certification program that leads to initial employment or career advancement in:
- building, mechanical, industrial or medical trade emergency services, including paramedics
- energy, including clean energy, energy efficiency, or weatherization
- transportation, including clean transportation
- broadband
- robotics
- Select other high demand sectors
- Enrolled in certificate or non-degree program
- Unemployed must register with the Vermont Department of Labor for the purpose of receiving relevant job referrals
Note: Preference will be given to students enrolled in a Vermont-based training program.
- How much is the award?
The award covers full tuition (excluding fees, books, and supplies) up to $23,000. This award can be used to pay for your tuition, initial licensing fees, and exam fees.
- What period does this cover?
Funding awarded will cover the costs of programs you attend that begin after July 1, 2024.
- When should I apply?
Funding is limited. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds have been awarded.
- How do I apply?
- For detailed information about this forgivable loan program and the application process, review the Scholarships & Forgivable Loans for Vermonters booklet.
- Complete the Unified Scholarship Application online through your MyVSAC account, click on "Work with Scholarships & Forgivable Loans", look for “Submit Application” and “Unified Scholarship Application (USA)” and follow the instructions.
- Provide family income information as specified in the application instructions.
- If you're selected to receive funding by the selection committee, you must sign a promissory note. The note will be sent to you along with your award notification and will outline the conditions and specific work obligations of the program. The loan will be forgiven when the work obligation is met:
- Agree to work full-time in your profession in Vermont for a minimum of one year following licensure or certification completion for each year of funding received.
- How will I know the status of my application?
Log into your MyVSAC account and click on "Work with Scholarships & Forgivable Loans" to check the status of your application.
- If I'm unemployed, why do I have to register with the Vermont Department of Labor?
In addition to funding for tuition, exams, and licensing, you also qualify for additional help from the State of Vermont. A career counselor from the Department of Labor will help you with job search and placement with an employer upon completing your training program. If you don't have a Vermont Job Link account, someone from the Vermont Department of Labor will reach out to you to get started.
- What is an interest-free forgivable loan?
The State of Vermont offers several forgivable loan programs to encourage students to enter Vermont's workforce in specific high-demand fields. These unique loans:
- Are interest-free
- Require awarded students to
- sign a promissory note committing to specific work obligations when they accept the funding
- complete annual verification with the VSAC Scholarship Program each year
- Do not require payment while the student is enrolled in the applicable program
- Are “forgiven” — which means that the loan does not have to be paid back — when the student meets the work obligations outlined in the promissory note they signed
- Must be repaid if the student doesn't complete the program, doesn't receive their license, or doesn't work in the field in Vermont following licensure
For example: Mary received $16,000 in a nursing forgivable loan program to study nursing at Vermont Tech for her senior year. Upon completion of the program, Mary took her nursing exams and received her license and began working as a nurse in Vermont. One year later her employment was verified, and the loan was forgiven.
- Is other education funding available?
Vermont residents may also qualify for the Advancement Grant or the Vermont Grant.
Additional questions?
If you have additional questions about your application or status, Contact VSAC or call 888-253-4819.