Financial Aid Monthly Timeline

Vermont Technical College will join with Castleton University and Northern Vermont University to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023.

Learn more about financial aid at Vermont State.

Learn More

Follow our monthly step-by-step guide with a timeline of expectations for the financial aid application process, billing information, and financing options below or download a printable version.

September

• Start your planning and research. Now is the best time to begin searching for outside scholarships and requesting letters of recommendation for your applications.

October

• You can complete and submit your FAFSA as early as October 1, but not before. You must complete the FAFSA in order to receive a financial aid award package from Vermont Tech.
• Get your FSA ID.  In order to complete the FAFSA, the student and one parent should individually obtain a Federal Student Aid ID online at fsaid.ed.gov. You’ll use your FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA.
• Vermont Tech’s FAFSA code is 003698

November

• Check completed FAFSA for accuracy and make corrections if necessary. 
• Follow up with any missing financial aid paperwork to complete your file. You can check the status of your financial aid application on the Vermont State Colleges System portal.

December

• Once we receive your financial aid application information and you have been admitted  to Vermont Tech, you will receive a notification of financial aid award. The award letter will be as early as December 15th. For new students, the award letter will be a hard copy and will also be accessible through the VSCS portal.
• Continue to research outside scholarships through your high school and local civic, professional, and religious organizations.

January-February

• Vermont Students: VSAC grant applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early! VSAC assisted scholarship applications are due in March. Check out their applications and scholarship opportunities.
• Reminder: Complete your FAFSA in February to meet our priority application deadline for financial aid before March 1.  If you are applying for full-time or part-time grants as a degree student, you must complete a FAFSA.
• You can also submit Vermont Tech’s General Scholarship Application anytime before March 15.

March

• Submit your FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1 in order to receive your full amount of financial aid.
• Review your processes FAFSA by checking your Student Aid Report and correct any mistakes to your FAFSA information online. You can check the status of your application and award on the Vermont State Colleges System portal.
• You will recieve a notification of financial aid award from Vermont Tech. Review it carefully and follow any instructions that pertain to you. For new students, the initial award letter will be a hard copy and is also accessible through the portal. All subsequent letters will be via email with directions to view them on the portal.

April

• Check your financial aid document status online by going to the VSCS portal. It’s important that you follow up with any requested items as soon as possible.
• Review aid and submit deposits. You are not required to accept financial aid. However it is your responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office if you wish to decline or revise (decrease) all or part of the aid offered. You may do this through the Portal or by completing and returning a declination/revision form. Submit a tuition and housing deposit by the May 1 deadline and respond if we request any additional documentation, such as tax return transcripts, W-2s, or the Veterans Affairs verification worksheet.

May

• By May 1, you can reserve your spot at Vermont Tech for the fall semester with a $200 deposit. Students planning to live on campus must also submit a housing contract and an additional $100 housing deposit. This deposit is not covered by your financial aid or any outside loans or scholarships.
• New student borrowers accepting federal loans: You must sign a Master Promissory Note and complete Entrance Counseling online.

June

• Your fall bill will be posted online beginning June 1. After that, it will be posted on the 1st and 15th of each month. Review your bill online through the VSCS portal.
• Outside scholarship recipients: You must notify the financial aid office if you receive any outside scholarships. Email us or call 800-965-8790.
• See www.vtc.edu/student-accounts for billing due dates, payment plans, refunds, and more.

July

• First-time Federal Direct Stafford Loan borrowers: Complete your entrance counseling session and sign your Master Promissory note online.
• Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) borrowers: Parents must sign their Master Promissory Notes. You can’t receive these loans without completing entrance counseling and signing promissory notes.
• Payment Options: If your awarded financial aid is less than the cost of your education, your student account will be unsettled due to an outstanding balance. You must review your student account and, if necessary, determine a funding method such as a federal Parent PLUS loan, alternative loan, or payment plan, that fulfills your financial obligation.

August

• Your fall student bill payment is due in August. Review your balance and tuition payment deadline online through the portal.
• Federal Work-Study recipients: You are encouraged to attend the Job Fair at the start of the semester.
• Questions?  Contact our office at finaid@vtc.edu or 800-965-8790 if you have questions about your financial aid. For billing questions, contact vtcstudentaccounts@vtc.edu or 800-600-9830.

September

• Meal plan changes: Your final meal plan changes must be completed by mid-September.
• Health insurance waiver deadline: If you already have health insurance, you must waive the college-provided insurance by September 30 to avoid incurring that charge.
• Financial aid funds begin disbursing in September if all requirements have been completed. Check your aid status on the VSCS portal.
• Any refunds are generated through the Student Accounts Office and sent to students via electronic funds transfer or by hard-copy check mailed to your home address.
• Your ongoing responsibilities: Check your campus email and campus mailbox regularly to receive timely communications from the administration on billing, financial aid, and academic information.