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Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program

An interest-free, forgivable loan which pays up to 100% of tuition

workforce development funding iconEstablished by the Vermont General Assembly in 2018, the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program covers tuition (amount varies depending on the institution and/or program in which the student enrolls) for active members (Vermont residents or non-residents), in good standing, of the Vermont National Guard when they complete specific Vermont National Guard (VTNG) service obligations outlined by the program. Must attend a Vermont, university, college (unless the degree program is not available in Vermont), or an eligible training institution for a non-degree, certificate training, or continuing education program. (The training program does not have to be in Vermont.)

The goal is to recruit and retain high-quality VTNG members.

Funding is awarded to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been depleted. 

Awards are in the form of an interest-free loan which is forgiven when the recipient signs a promissory note and has completed the following work obligations:

  • Complete 2 years of service in the VTNG for each full-time (12 credits or more) academic year paid for through this program
    • If you're enrolled in a graduate degree program in addition to the above service commitment, you must also work full time in Vermont (or be looking for work in Vermont) until Vermont National Guard service commitment is satisfied.
    • 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)


WHO IS ELIGIBLE?  

Active members in good standing of the Vermont National Guard that:

  • Have successfully completed basic training
  • 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
  • Are not in default on a federal education loan
  • Attend a Vermont university, college (unless the degree program is not available in Vermont), or an eligible training institution for a non-degree, certificate training, or continuing education program
  • Demonstrate satisfactory academic progress

If you already have a bachelor’s degree and are pursuing another bachelor’s degree, your prior bachelor’s degree must not have been funded by the VNGTBP or NGEAP (National Guard Education Assistance Program).


HOW MUCH IS THE AWARD?

  • Up to full tuition at eligible schools. The amount of money available for this award varies depending on your enrollment and the college you're attending.
  • The award is a loan that covers tuition only. If you receive other grants or scholarships that cover all or part of your tuition, the award amount will be reduced, and the school will be required to return the funds to VSAC.


HOW DO I APPLY?

  1. For detailed information about the forgivable loan and the application process, review the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet.
  2. Complete the Unified Scholarship Application online through your MyVSAC account, , click on Work with VSAC-Assisted Scholarships, look for “Submit Application” and “Unified Scholarship Application (USA)” and follow the instructions.
  3. VNGTBP Certification Form. Guard members work with their Guard Education Office to complete and submit the VNGTBP Certification Form.


WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Funding is awarded to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been depleted. 


WHAT IS AN INTEREST-FREE FORGIVABLE LOAN?

The state of Vermont offers several forgivable loan programs to encourage students to enter the Vermont 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
  • Do not require payment while the student is enrolled in the applicable degree or training 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 THERE OTHER FUNDING AVAILABLE?

VSAC, the Veterans Administration and other organizations offer scholarships for Vermont military service members. 


QUESTIONS: