As seasons change, it’s always a good time to think about what’s next and evaluate options. And when it comes to college, training, and career changes, there’s truly no better time than the present to go back to school, finish a degree, or start something new.
Education unlocks economic opportunity. The cost of education is also a huge factor—but did you know VSAC and our partners offer many opportunities to earn a degree, tuition free?
These programs are available to students of all ages and at all stages of their lives, for people who want to study full-time or part-time. And there are so many careers and job pathways to choose from, with classes offered in person, online, or in hybrid formats. VSAC’s pathways to a tuition free education include:
- 802Opportunity: Free tuition at Community College of Vermont
- Freedom & Unity: Free general tuition at Vermont State University
- Workforce Development Funding for Trades: Support for training in high-demand trades
- Vermont Rural Health Transformation Tuition Benefit: Free tuition in 14 healthcare careers
- Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit: Tuition assistance in skilled fields
Each of these programs has its own guidelines and eligibility requirements. Let’s dig in. And if you have questions, VSAC can help!
- For classes at Community College of Vermont, students may be eligible for 802Opportunity
Available to Vermont residents with a family income of $100,000 or less who don’t have a bachelor’s degree, 802Opportunity provides up to the full cost of tuition at Community College of Vermont (CCV).
“802Opportunity has been enormously impactful, because it has enabled me to further my professional goals in a way that I would not have been able to do without it,” said CCV student John LaLonde. “This program has helped me overcome the biggest obstacle to finishing my education: financial insecurity. It has also rekindled my love of learning.”
With opportunities for certificates and associate degrees, and with transfer agreements with many of Vermont’s colleges and universities, students can look to CCV for an affordable, accessible education in programs like education, business, and IT and cybersecurity.
- At Vermont State University, students may be able to access Freedom & Unity
Available to Vermont residents with a family income of $85,000 or less who don’t have a bachelor’s degree, Freedom & Unity offers students the opportunity to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree, tuition free.
Vermont State alumna Kaitlyn Dingman received Freedom & Unity to complete her nursing coursework and is now an RN at a long-term care and rehab facility in Brattleboro. She said, “Without Freedom & Unity, becoming a nurse would not have been possible for me. It gave me the chance to attend Vermont State University, focus on my education instead of worrying about tuition, and prepare for a career where I can give back to my community. Knowing that I am able to care for patients here in Vermont makes me proud to have been part of a program that’s helping students while supporting the future of healthcare in our state.”
Students can pursue degrees in programs like education, engineering, athletic training, and more.
- For students interested in careers in the trades, there is Workforce Development Funding
Workforce Development Funding can be applied to programs that lead to careers in building trades, mechanical or industrial careers, transportation, energy, and other high-demand sectors. It covers training for certificates or non-degree programs. Following program completion, students commit to working in Vermont for one year for each year of assistance received.
For one student, VSAC’s Vermont Trades Tuition Benefit Program covered tuition at Stafford Technical Center. “The financial aid from VSAC was what made it so I could take the class and get my Class A CDL,” Parker Hoblin shared.
- Funding for health-related careers is available via the Vermont Rural Health Transformation Tuition Benefit
The Vermont Rural Health Transformation Tuition Benefit1 provides financial support for students to pursue education in 14 eligible undergraduate or graduate health-related fields. In exchange, students commit to working as a healthcare professional in a Vermont healthcare setting that serves a rural Vermont community for five years, following the completion of their degree and licensure.
Stacy Emerson received the Vermont Rural Health Transformation Tuition Benefit. She shared, “I grew up in Newport and went to North Country Union High School. I’m planning to stay and live and work in this area. To achieve my goal and to have the support to do it means a lot to me.”
This funding is available for students to pursue careers in nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, mental health counseling, dental hygiene, and more.
- Enlist in the Vermont National Guard for tuition benefits, training, and more
The Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit Program provides tuition assistance to members pursuing training in various fields, from engineering to medical support. Support under this program is available for undergraduate, graduate, non-degree training, certificate training, or continuing education.
Students can train in key roles such as aviation maintenance, cybersecurity, combat medic, engineering and construction, logistics, and communications, while attending school. To qualify for the Vermont National Guard Tuition Benefit, members must be active and in good standing, and generally complete two years of service for each academic year the award is disbursed.
There are many other opportunities available through VSAC and our partners
Beyond these five programs, there are other opportunities to find a custom fit for your education! The Vermont Grant and the Advancement Grant, and the many scholarships available through VSAC, provide additional support for students of all ages. Whether you have just a tiny idea for a career or job, or you know exactly what you need to realize your dream, reach out to VSAC. We’ve been there—and we can help.
The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan, loan refinance, and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
- This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $195,053,740.44 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. ↩︎
