The New Year gives us a chance to reflect upon what we love about our lives, and perhaps, what we would like to change. 802Opportunity, a grant program administered by VSAC in partnership with Community College of Vermont (CCV), is a powerful tool available to Vermonters who are seeking something new.
The 802Opportunity grant pays for up to two years of free tuition to the Community College of Vermont (CCV). Any Vermonter with a family Adjusted Gross Income of $75,000 or less per year, who does not already have a bachelor’s degree, can qualify for free tuition—which, according to the latest Census, is about half of all Vermont families.
Thousands of students, who may have otherwise been discouraged by the cost of education or training, have walked through CCV’s open doors. For example, Halley Riley-Elliott, the Vehicle Maintenance Manager at Killington Resort, “was that kid who never wanted to go to college. I thought it was too expensive.” Now she oversees anything on the mountain that has a motor: snowcats, ATVs, side-by-sides. Halley decided to work as a mechanic when she bought a Jeep Wrangler, and graduated with her associate degree in Diesel Power Tech from Vermont State University, Randolph. Halley notes that an associate degree was a milestone in her journey. Once she was introduced to the possibility of going to technical school, rather than four years of college, the wheels on her Jeep turned along with her perspective—and she started to reconsider.
What does your future look like? With 802Opportunity, you’ll find the space to figure it out.
When most people think about community college, they think about a traditional two-year associate degree. At CCV, you could earn an associate degree in fields related to art & design, business, education, healthcare, human services, information technology, liberal studies, manufacturing, and STEM.
But you may be surprised to find out that CCV courses can also lead to digital badges, credentials, and certificates, via flexible pathways where credits add up while working toward a degree. And, after earning an associate degree, nearly half of all CCV graduates choose to continue their education: CCV makes it easy with ready-to-use transfer agreements with schools like the University of Vermont, and within the Vermont State University system. So if you have some college credits but haven’t completed your degree, now is the perfect time to finish what you started, tuition-free.
CCV’s stackable credits unlock a world of opportunity (802Opportunity, that is!) to try new things. Love kids but not sure if teaching is for you? Take classes to earn a certificate in After School and Youth Work. Are you everyone’s go-to when they are having internet or computer issues? Try out a credential in Cybersecurity or a certificate in IT Support before you decide to go for a full associate degree in Information Technology.
What subject would you like to try before you jump in? At a recent Vermont Career Connect panel discussion, Stephane Katende described his journey: his middle school goal of being a superstar singer, to discovering a love for computers (along with gaming) in high school. Now a software engineer, Stephane recommends, “try a bunch of different things and be comfortable with what drives you—if you find something you love, you know it’s what you want to do.”
Flexible programming makes it even easier to pursue your dreams
Most people need a regular paycheck so they can keep paying their bills while taking classes. Even if you aren’t currently employed, chances are you have commitments that fill (or overfill!) your life. When you leverage 802Opportunity at CCV, not only is your tuition free, the program’s flexibility makes education manageable so you can otherwise live your life.
Classes at CCV are offered in person or online, part-time or full-time, during the day or in the evening. Flexible programming makes it easier to:
- Work and stay out of debt.
- Reskill at your current job with an eye toward a new role or promotion.
- Be present for your children or family while preparing for future employment or keeping your skills current.
For instance, Business programs at CCV include three degrees (Accounting, Business and Professional Studies) and six certificates (Bookkeeping, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Funeral Director, Human Resources Management, and Leadership Skills) that can be completed 100% online.
CCV and 802Opportunity make it easy to discover a new journey, whatever your path. This past year, more than 2,600 Vermonters, from all 14 counties, enrolled at the 12 CCV academic sites using 802Opportunity, up 24% since its first year of existence. The two-year program is open to new or returning students of any age. Last year, students ranged in age from 17–79, with an average age of 30. And more than 270 students completed their degree or certification. Read about some of the past 802Opportunity participants.
How will I know that making this change will make a difference in my life?
Education is the greatest equalizer when it comes to economic opportunity. Studies show the high-demand, high-pay jobs in Vermont require college or training, and education is the key to, well … nearly everything. An associate degree, certificate, or credential from CCV can provide the knowledge and skills you’ll need to pursue a higher-paying job, advance in the job you have, or build a foundation for further study. Students can choose from more than 30 flexible programs in highly sought-after career fields at CCV.
Connecting with a mentor or someone who is working in the field can help you understand the possibilities of how a degree translates to real world work. For instance:
- An Early Childhood Education associate of arts degree helps students develop knowledge, skills, and experience to work effectively with young children and families.
- An Information Technology associate of science degree prepares students to provide support to systems and troubleshoot issues encountered by users.
- A Pharmacy Technician certificate prepares students to locate, dispense, pack, and label prescribed medication under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
- A Workplace Skills certificate provides students with the skills necessary to be successful in today’s workplace: good communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision making.
802Opportunity exists because Vermont has decided to invest in you.
Funding for 802Opportunity was first approved by the Vermont Legislature and Governor Scott in 2021. Recognizing the success of the program, the Legislature and Governor Scott included 802Opportunity in the state’s base budget in 2023, providing permanent funding for the program.
Why does Vermont want to invest 802Opportunity? Because offering opportunities to raise skills and lower debt for all Vermonters is critical to making our state more affordable, and cultivating Vermont’s workforce is foundational to the future of all Vermonters. “Investing in workforce development will create huge dividends for Vermont families and for the Vermont economy. This means that Vermonters can count on this successful and life-changing opportunity to train and educate themselves for high-demand and high-wage,” notes Scott Giles, VSAC president & CEO.
And it also means: Great jobs with Vermont employers are waiting. For you.
Ready to invest in yourself? Classes start January 22, 2024.
We hope you’re ready to invest in your future because Vermont is ready to invest in you! CCV Class registration runs from January 15–19, and 802Opportunity Grants are available now for the Spring 2024 semester. Classes begin on January 22, 2024. You can explore all CCV associate, credential, and certificate programs here.
Start by applying for an 802Opportunity grant. The grant, in combination with state and federal grant aid, covers tuition for all credits in a degree program of the student’s choice, as well as the $100 administrative fee. The grant does not cover lab and studio fees, books, or other supplies. For more information on 802Opportunity details and how to apply, visit vsac.org/802Opportunity. You can also give us a call at 800-642-3177, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and contact us online at info@vsac.org.
This story is produced by Vermont Student Assistance Corp., created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency, to advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they achieve their education goals. Our vision is to create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to higher education are closed to them. We begin by helping families save for education with Vermont’s state-sponsored 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or career training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and again as adults. Our grant and scholarship programs attract national recognition, and our loan programs and loan forgiveness programs are saving Vermont families thousands of dollars in interest. Visit vsac.org to learn more.
