Vermont has a vast array of higher education opportunities. Although the state is characterized by harsh and snowy winters, Vermont students attending school there has the opportunity to see and experience the mountains, trails, lakes, and rivers that make the state an incredible place of natural beauty.
The college education that students can receive in Vermont is top-notch, filled with nature, and perfectly situated within the heart of New England. However, the mounting tuition costs of higher education are still especially present in the beautiful state of Vermont.
10 Scholarships for Vermont Students
- John D. Sherman Scholarship
- This scholarship is for Vermont students experiencing a physical disability or multiple sclerosis. Applicants must also be from a low-income background and apply by August 1. The winning applicant will receive $4,150.
- Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship
- Students in the Northeast, including Vermont, may apply for this $1,500 scholarship by July 20. Applicants should be in their senior year of high school, belong to the BIPOC community, and be the first in their families to attend college.
- Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship
- This scholarship is for high school students in Vermont who are passionate about the fine arts. It awards $1,000 to a student who demonstrates exceptional talent and commitment in their artistic endeavors.
- International Studies Scholarship
- High school students in Vermont interested in international studies can apply for this $2,000 scholarship. Applicants must write an essay about their aspirations in the field of international relations.
- Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship
- This scholarship provides $1,500 to Vermont high school students planning to pursue a career in nursing. Applicants must submit an essay detailing their motivation for entering the nursing field.
- Verto Semester Abroad Scholarship
- Vermont high school seniors planning to study abroad can apply for this $3,000 scholarship. Applicants must describe how studying abroad will enhance their educational experience.
- Taylor Ibarrondo Memorial Scholarship
- This $1,200 scholarship is available to Vermont high school seniors who have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. An essay on overcoming personal challenges is required.
- Abby’s First-Generation College Student Scholarship
- This scholarship awards $1,000 to Vermont high school seniors who are the first in their families to attend college. Applicants must submit an essay on the significance of being a first-generation college student.
- WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
- Vermont college students studying music or art can apply for this $2,500 scholarship. Applicants must provide a portfolio of their work along with a personal statement about their artistic journey.
- LiveYourDash Entrepreneurs Scholarship
- This scholarship offers $1,500 to Vermont college students who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit. Applicants must write an essay about their business ideas and how they plan to bring them to life.
Vermont Students and Student Debt
Vermont is ranked as the third most expensive state to attend college in the US. In the state, tuition can cost up to $30,000, while private higher education can cost as much as $60,000 per year.
The average amount of student loan debt in Vermont per student is $37,516, making the state the 11th highest for student loan debt in the United States, totaling $2.9 billion in Vermont student loan debt.
The mounting college costs for Vermont students have led to rising student loan debt within the state, and a higher number of students in need of scholarship money, scholarship opportunities, and other forms of financial assistance to receive the higher education they desire.
Colleges in Vermont
Vermont has a plethora of incredible college and career training institutions. Within the state, there are 17 institutions attracting students seeking higher education, such as college or career training programs, and these institutions serve a total of over 38,000 students.
There are four public state colleges in Vermont (Vermont Technical College, Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, and Northern Vermont University), twelve independently chartered colleges, and the University of Vermont to choose from.
The largest undergraduate program among them is the University of Vermont (UVM), which has a student population of over 11,000. UVM is moderately selective with an acceptance rate of 71% and has scholarship and need-based aid options. For in-state students, tuition and fees average around $19,000, but for out-of-state students, fees can be as high as $44,000 before aid and room and board are factored in.
Vermont College Demographics
Among the 38,000 students studying in the state of Vermont, 53% of them are women, while the remaining 47% are men.
The majority of college students attend college full-time in the state (73%), while the remaining students attend part-time and mainly attend the Vermont State Colleges for their higher education studies. At the University of Vermont, only 17% of the students study part-time.
Around 40% of Vermont students attending school in Vermont’s higher education institutions are Vermont residents, while the rest come from other US states, territories, and other countries entirely.
In terms of racial and ethnic diversity in Vermont colleges, 76% of students are White, 6% are Hispanic/Latino, 3% are Asian, 3% are Black/African American, and 4% are two or more races. The number of White students studying significantly increased in 2020 (from 62% to 76%), as the pandemic severely limited international students planning to choose Vermont for their place of higher education.
Whether you’re looking to attend a college, university, career training program, community college, or technical school in Vermont, it’s important to know your financial need and the options available to you when planning to be in Vermont for your college experience.
Vermont’s State Assistance Programs
Despite the rising costs of a Vermont higher education, there are multiple opportunities for students to receive federal assistance to pay for their college costs.
One such opportunity is the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), a public nonprofit agency dedicated to financial counseling, financial help, and grants to eligible applicants who demonstrate financial need and academic achievement within the state.
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is an incredible resource for Vermont students. However, it also has more extensive eligibility requirements than those required by other scholarship platforms, so make sure you apply to a mix of VSAC and other scholarships to ensure you receive the most financial aid that you can.
Additionally, the state of Vermont assists students by offering state-specific grants. These include the Vermont Incentive Grant (available for full-time students), the Vermont Part-Time Grant, and the Vermont Advancement Grant (for short-term training and non-degree programs).
Offering grants in addition to state-wide Vermont scholarships takes some of the financial burden off of college students, but college costs are rising faster than state and federal aid can keep up with.
Best Scholarships for Vermont Students
There is an abundance of scholarships available for Vermont students who may demonstrate financial need and/or academic achievement. No matter your background or goals, you’ll be eligible for financial assistance through scholarships.
Additional Scholarships Students in Vermont Should Consider
Students can find scholarships that match their needs even if they are not state-specific opportunities. Below are some scholarships that have a more general applicant pool. Vermont students can apply to these as well to increase their odds of winning a scholarship. Some scholarships are based on financial need, academic interest, and other factors.
Scholarships for High School Students in Vermont
High school students can get a head start on securing financial aid by applying early. As soon as you’re in high school and at least fourteen years old, you can start applying for scholarships. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to earn funding for your college education. The scholarships below are great ways to get started!
- Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship
- International Studies Scholarship
- Wieland Nurse Appreciation Scholarship
Vermont Scholarships for High School Seniors
High school seniors can benefit from the many scholarships available for high school seniors. Since underclassmen aren’t eligible to apply for senior scholarships, there will be less competition for senior-exclusive scholarships.
- Verto Semester Abroad Scholarship
- Taylor Ibarrondo Memorial Scholarship
- Abby’s First-Generation College Student Scholarship
Vermont Scholarships for College Students
A common misconception among college students is that scholarship money is only available to high school seniors. This could not be farther from the truth; there are thousands of college scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students that are open and readily accepting applications.
Vermont students seeking these scholarships should check out the links below. In addition, college students, no matter what year they are in, should be eligible for any scholarships that list ‘undergraduate’ as the target grade level.
- WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
- Toluna Influencers No-Essay Scholarship
- LiveYourDash Entrepreneurs Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Vermont
How to apply for scholarships in Vermont?
Applying for Vermont scholarships might be simpler than you think. There are several ways students can apply for scholarships. Students should choose the best method for them or try as many strategies as they like to find relevant scholarships.
High school students, for example, can reach out to their guidance office to find scholarship opportunities specific to their school or region. College students can get similar assistance from their financial aid office. In both cases, the instructions for applying for these scholarships will likely depend on your specific school. The financial aid officers or guidance counselors should be able to walk students through the steps for applying for the scholarships they suggest. Typically, the application will consist of a form detailing the student’s personal information, and a short essay if required.
Online platforms can also prove useful in finding relevant scholarships and saving time. Creating a profile with a scholarship platform is free of charge and can help match students to appropriate scholarship opportunities. In addition, online platforms have hundreds of scholarships available to students, with more created each day. Platforms like these have the added benefit of consolidating students’ efforts into one place. Students can find a wide variety of scholarships and apply for them on the same site, saving time and energy.
Most scholarships will only need students to provide some personal information to apply. This information is used to verify the student’s eligibility and help the donors get to know the applicants. Some scholarships will also require an essay, so make sure to read the instructions for the application to see if this is required.
When can I start applying?
High school students and college students alike can apply at any time during their academic careers. While scholarships are most often marketed toward high school seniors looking to go to college, scholarships are available to students of all grade levels. Recent college graduates who have student loans are even eligible to apply for certain scholarships!
High school freshmen and sophomores will likely have a bit more difficulty finding scholarships they can apply to, but opportunities for these students still exist. High school underclassmen should look for scholarships that don’t list specific grade levels or ages. More general scholarships will likely accept underclassmen applicants.
There are abundant opportunities for high school juniors and seniors. Many scholarships are made specifically with high school upperclassmen in mind. Undergraduate and graduate college students will also likely be able to find many scholarships they can apply to.
Students can begin applying for scholarships at any time. Continuing to apply for scholarships throughout the years can help students save more money for educational opportunities.
How do I know if I’m eligible for a scholarship?
The eligibility requirements for each scholarship will let you know which students can apply and which cannot.
It’s common for scholarships to restrict the applicant pool by grade level, major or academic interest, personal background, and several other factors. For example, a scholarship might only be open to Asian American college students with an interest in art. To apply, students must match all three categories.
Make sure you match all the requirements listed for each scholarship you apply for. Students that only meet some of the requirements will not be considered.
What do I have to do to apply?
First, choose some scholarships that are relevant to your interests and needs. Once you have found the scholarships you want to apply for, the application process will depend on where you found those scholarships.
Most scholarships will come with clear instructions on how to apply. In many cases, applicants will need to fill out an online form or mail a form detailing their personal information to the donor.
If the scholarship you intend to apply for was found through a parent, family friend, or school advisor, ask them for clarification. Scholarships found through online platforms may be slightly easier to apply for since online platforms will usually help students apply.
In most cases, students will have made an online profile already with these websites. When applying, the website will typically send the information needed to the donor on the student’s behalf, making the process quick and easy!
If there is an essay question required for the scholarship, students will need to prepare a short personal statement as well. This will be submitted along with your personal information to the donor. The application process will depend mostly on the method students use to find relevant scholarships.
Are scholarships counted as income?
Scholarships do not count as income. However, this is only if the scholarship money is used for qualified educational expenses. Using your scholarship money for other expenses may mean that the scholarship money is now taxable.
Qualified educational expenses are all the expenses students must pay to graduate with a degree. If not paying a certain fee would make students ineligible to graduate with a degree, then that payment is a qualified educational expense.
Qualified educational expenses are mandatory course enrollment and tuition fees, as well as textbook and supplies fees. However, remember that housing and travel expenses do not count as qualified educational expenses.
In addition, if the total amount of scholarship money earned is greater than the cost of your college, the extra scholarship money can be taxed. However, this situation is rare and can generally be avoided by using scholarship money for remaining qualified costs, such as book expenses.
When a student wins a scholarship, the money will be sent directly to the student’s school. As a result, the money will automatically be spent on any outstanding charges the student has, which would all qualify for necessary educational expenses.
As long as all scholarship money is spent only on necessary educational expenses, your scholarship money will not be taxed.