Vermont Grants FAQs
Who is eligible for Vermont grants?
Am I eligible for a Vermont grant if I go to school outside Vermont?
When and how do I apply for a Vermont Degree Grant?
How can I access the Vermont Grant Renewal Application?
When will I hear about my Vermont Grant eligibility?
Where did you get the income and asset information listed on the award letter?
What is included in the total income figure?
What is included in the asset figure?
What will my Federal Pell Grant be?
How will my school know about my Vermont Grant?
When will my Vermont Grant be disbursed to my school?
When will my Vermont Non-Degree Grant be disbursed to my school?
What if there is incorrect information on my grant account, or what if my circumstances change?
I would like to speak to someone in the grant program. How can I do that?
Who is eligible for Vermont grants?
Vermont residents who are pursuing their first undergraduate degrees may apply for Vermont grant. Graduate students are not eligible for Vermont grants unless they are enrolled at the UVM College of Medicine or in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Vermont residents who are taking non-degree classes to improve their employability or to gain job skills may be eligible to apply for the Vermont non-degree grant.
I’m a Vermont resident. Am I eligible to apply for a Vermont grant if I go to school outside of Vermont?
Yes. Vermont grants are “portable," meaning they can be used at any approved school within Vermont or out of state. However, the maximum amount of a Vermont grant to attend an out-of-state school is equivalent to the maximum amount to attend a Vermont state college, even if the cost of attendance at the out-of-state school is higher.
When and how do I apply for a Vermont grant?
Apply in January for enrollment that begins in August/September. Vermont grants are awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available - so apply early! Learn how to apply.
How can I access the Vermont grant renewal application?
There is no renewal application. Complete the Vermont grant application. If you applied in the past, your demographic information will pre-populate in some fields. Learn how to apply.
When will I be notified about my Vermont grant eligibility?
Each year, the first Vermont grant eligibility notices are sent in mid-May (mid-July for non-degree) and on a rolling basis thereafter.
We will review your grant request after we receive a complete application and all requested additional documentation. When your file is reviewed, we may request additional documentation or information. Once no other information is necessary, we will send you a grant eligibility notice, provided funding is still available.
Where did you get the income and asset information listed on the award letter?
VSAC receives income and asset information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Vermont grant application, and from other documentation that you may have sent to VSAC directly.
What is included in the total income figure?
Total income is a combination of taxable and untaxed income. In general, the taxable income figure is the adjusted gross income (AGI) on the federal tax return. Untaxed sources of income include: payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans, deductible IRA or KEOGH payments, and child support received.
What is included in the asset figure?
Assets include: cash on hand, plus any balance in checking and savings accounts; real estate equity, including the equity in your home; and investment and business equity. Equity is the current resale value of the asset, minus any debt held against it.
What will my Federal Pell Grant be?
The financial aid office at your school determines your actual Pell grant award. VSAC estimates the amount of your federal Pell grant. Our estimate is for the entire school year, based on the school you indicated you will most likely attend and your enrollment for term one. If your actual Pell grant is different from our estimate, your Vermont grant amount may change. Any changes to the Pell grant award must be reported directly from your school or the Department of Education.
How will my school know about my Vermont grant?
Your school’s financial aid office is notified of your grant eligibility online through their myVSAC school account. You can also provide your financial aid office or bursar’s office a print screen of your "View Awards" screen or a paper notification if you received one for your Vermont grant eligibility.
When will my Vermont grant be disbursed to my school?
If eligible, VSAC will disburse your Vermont grant directly to your school after your classes begin each term. VSAC verifies your enrollment status with your school, after the start of every term, and before disbursing your Vermont grant. On average, fall semester Vermont grants are disbursed by mid-November, and spring semester Vermont grants are disbursed by mid-March.
Your college or university tuition bill may be due before your Vermont grant is disbursed. Please plan accordingly and, if needed, contact your school.
When will my Vermont non-degree grant be disbursed to my school?
After your class starts, we will request that your school or program verify your enrollment. We will disburse your non-degree grant directly to your school or program after we have received enrollment verification from your school.
What if there is incorrect information on my grant account, or what if my circumstances change?
Corrections to financial information must be submitted to the VSAC Grant Program in writing. If your circumstances have changed, please contact VSAC to discuss your situation in more detail.
I have a question about my Vermont grant eligibility and would like to speak with someone in the grant program. How can I do that?
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