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Sources of Financial Aid

When a FAFSA is filed, you are applying for the following federal, campus-based, and state aid programs and establishing eligibility for a Federal Stafford Loan.

Federal

The Federal Pell Grant Program is an entitlement program. This means that all students who are eligible will receive Pell Grant awards. Eligibility is determined by the family’s, as well as the student’s, financial resources.

Federal Stafford Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized) are available to qualified students at Vermont Tech. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. If qualified for a subsidized loan, the federal government pays interest on the loan until the student begins repayment and during authorized periods of deferment. The student pays the interest on the unsubsidized loan while enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

If you’re a dependent undergraduate student, you can borrow up to:
  • $3,500 if you’re a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year
  • $4,500 if you’ve completed your first year of study and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year
  • $5,500 a year if you’ve completed two years of study, are matriculated in a bachelor’s degree program, and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year
Additional unsubsidized Stafford loan limits may be increased by $2000 for loans first disbursed after July 1, 2008.

Independent undergraduate students may borrow an additional amount of money up to $4,000 or $5,000 a year, depending on their year of study. However, through the unsubsidized loan program students can’t borrow more than the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid for which they are eligible.

Both the subsidized and unsubsidized loan eligibility amounts will be outlined on a student’s award letter.

All Stafford and PLUS loans are processed through the William D. Ford/Federal Direct Loans Program (Direct Loans). Direct Loans provides Stafford and Parent PLUS loans to parents of dependent undergraduate students through the school, funded directly by the government. 

PLUS Loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow for each child who is enrolled at least half-time and is a dependent student. Parents who wish to apply for a PLUS Loan must fill out a PLUS Loan Request Form which is available through the financial aid office. A PLUS loan request form is automatically mailed with financial aid award notification letters. The yearly limit on a PLUS Loan is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid for which a student is eligible.

Federal Aid Programs Administered by the College

The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a gift of money to assist students with the cost of their education. It is restricted to undergraduates and does not have to be repaid. The maximum amount awarded is $4000, the amount awarded depending on a student’s need and the availability of funds at Vermont Tech. Average loans range from $600 to $1600 per year. Students who are eligible for Pell grants have first consideration for this fund.

The Federal Perkins Loan Program is a low-interest (5%) loan made directly to eligible students by the college from federal funds received for this purpose. If qualified, a student may borrow up to $15,000 during four years of college. At Vermont Tech, average loans range from $600 to $2,000 per year.

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a federal work program administered by Vermont Tech which provides jobs for students on or off campus. Average awards range from $1,200 to $1,600 for the year, which translates to approximately 10-14 hours of work per week. Students may also use FWS funds for off-campus community service placements. Federal Work-Study earnings are not credited on a student’s bill. Instead, a student worker receives a paycheck every two weeks.

State

Vermont Incentive Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need. Any full-time undergraduate Vermont resident who plans to attend or is enrolled in an approved post-secondary institution and who has not already received a bachelor’s degree is eligible to apply. 

Students are required to file supplemental information to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to be considered for a Vermont State Grant. On-line access is available at www.vsac.org

Grants from other states include Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. These states offer undergraduate grants or scholarships usable at Vermont Tech. Vermont Tech encourages all students eligible for these grants to apply for them. Contact the financial aid office or your high school guidance office to find out which states require supplemental information.

Veterans’ Education Benefits

Vermont Tech programs are approved by the Vermont State Approving Agency, Office of Veterans’ Affairs. These benefits are generally available to veterans who are separated from active duty within the past ten years; veterans with service-connected disabilities; and the sons, daughters, spouses, and widows or widowers of deceased or totally disabled veterans.

Veterans’ Benefits GI Bill: Educational benefits are available to any honorably discharged veteran who enlisted for active duty and was on active duty for at least 181 consecutive days. Students must make application to the Veterans Administration. The Department of Veterans Affairs GI bill web site, www.gibill.va.gov is the comprehensive resource for those interested in learning about and applying for these benefits.

Additional information and assistance with applying for benefits is available from the Office of the Registrar and the Business Office.

First payment from the Veterans Administration normally takes 4-6 weeks from the beginning of the first term. After that, checks are normally received monthly.

The Vermont National Guard State Educational Assistance Program provides tuition assistance to eligible members of the Vermont National Guard who are enrolled in undergraduate degree and diploma programs at public colleges in Vermont.

Other

Scholarships administered by the college, including the Vermont Tech Scholars program, are available to students who meet the criteria set for each. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for information about scholarships appropriate to your situation or go to the financial aid page on the college website at www.vtc.edu.

Vermont Tech also has institutional grants which are awarded based on financial need and/or merit. Financial need is determined by using the same criteria used for awarding campus-based aid. The maximum amount awarded depends upon the availability of funds, as well as student needs.