Section: Key Student Services

Vermont Tech is committed to helping current and former members of the United States Armed Forces attain their educational goals. We are here to ensure that student veterans and veteran affiliated students are successful in attaining their academic goals.  Thank you for your service to our country.

Admissions

All prospective students must first speak with their Educational Services Officer or counselor within the Military Service prior to enrolling at Vermont Technical College. Questions regarding your tuition assistance approval, timeline for benefits or general requirements should be directed to your local education office.

Vermont Technical College Prohibition of high-pressure recruitment tactics

Vermont Technical College is a member of the National Association of Admissions Counselors (NACAC) and abides by the guiding principles outlined in their Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.

In accordance with the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding, Vermont Technical College specifically prohibits the following:

• Providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance
• Use of high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.
• Providing inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimis [defined as “an insignificant amount”] to any individual or entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service members or obtaining access to TA funds. Educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military students are permissible

Veterans planning to attend Vermont Technical College using the GI Bill® should indicate this on their Admissions Application. Also, please visit the GI Bill® website and complete the VA Form 22-1990 Application for Educational Benefits online or download it and mail it to:

VA Regional Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616

It takes weeks, but if eligible for benefits, the VA will send a letter of eligibility to the veteran, a copy of which should be forwarded to:

Vermont Technical College
PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061

Once veteran eligibility is established, student enrollment will automatically be certified with the VA every semester that a student is enrolled. If a student does not want to be certified or is no longer eligible for VA benefits, they must notify the Registrar prior to the start of classes.

Veterans need to be prepared to purchase books and have living expenses for the first 4-6 weeks of classes. The initial payments can be slow, but will be retroactive to the start of the term once they begin.

Veterans must notify the Registrar of any changes in tuition and fees after the initial enrollment certification is completed each semester.

MHA rate is now based on where a student physically attends the majority of their classes. To determine MHA rate, please check the GI Bill® Comparison Tool. This tool provides MHA rates for main, branch campuses, and extension campuses

The first payments from the VA normally arrive four to six weeks from the beginning of the term, so veterans are not required to pay tuition, fees, or room and board prior to receiving their VA benefits. Students may also set up payment plans to stretch out payments over the term, if that becomes necessary. The amount of the payments is dependent on eligibility and entitlements.

Vermont Tech does not require Advanced Payment requests for current veteran students or applicants.

Financial Aid & Loans

Service members who seek additional funding through federal and/or private loans to help cover expenses are encouraged to contact our Financial Aid department to discuss available options by contacting us via email finaid@vtc.edu or calling (802) 728-1248.

Guard Members

Vermont recently passed legislation stating that active duty Guard members are also eligible for free tuition. Please read the State of Vermont legislation to learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Interested in transferring credits from another institution or applying for advanced standing based on previous coursework or experience?  Here’s the information you need to get started.

Transfer Credit

If an applicant has attended another VSC school prior to the 2002 summer term or another college outside the VSC system, Vermont Tech requires official transcripts. These should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the college at the time of application.

Transcript evaluations are available upon request.

Generally, credit for applicable college courses taken may be granted for those courses completed with a grade of C- or better or C for any science course required for PN, ADN, DHY, BSN or RSP; however, the transferred grades will not be computed into a student’s Vermont Tech GPA.

Courses taken at an accredited institution on a pass/fail basis may be transferred. However, Vermont Tech may require the student to obtain a grade equivalent in the course from the institution at which the course was taken.

Examinations may be required to show competence of subject material. Vermont Tech will be the final judge as to what transfer credit it accepts. Transfer credit varies depending upon a number of factors, such as the student’s academic record, the college or university selected, and the program selected.

Credits earned within the VSC are transferable to other colleges or universities only at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Advanced Standing

Admission candidates may be granted advanced standing in a degree program by transfer of courses from other accredited post-secondary institutions, advanced placement examination, recognized equivalent military courses, credit by challenge examinations, or previous relevant experience.

Consideration of previous relevant experience for credit is initiated by a completed academic portfolio, normally through the VSC Assessment of Prior Learning Program. The Vermont Tech department chairs and/or the Academic Dean will decide whether the assessed learning is equivalent to our required courses. If approved, the portfolio will be returned to the Registrar’s office with the signatures of approval from the program’s department chair, the credit-granting department, and the Academic Dean. The college may require a challenge exam in these cases

Advanced standing in a degree program is subject to the following restrictions: no more than 50% of the total required credits may be obtained by advanced standing for an associate degree or the plus 2 portion of a bachelor’s degree and no more than 50% of the total major technical course credits in an academic program may be obtained by advanced standing.

The Vermont State Colleges (VSCS) Student Health Insurance Plan has been developed especially for VSCS students. The Plan provides coverage for sicknesses and injuries that occur on and off campus that includes special cost-saving features to keep the coverage as affordable as possible.

All full-time (12 or more credits) matriculated students are required to have health insurance and therefore will be billed UPFRONT the cost of the VSCS insurance the first semester the student becomes full-time. If you have your own health insurance, you must complete the waiver form prior to the deadlines below for the semester in which you are billed the charge. Failure to do so will result in the student being automatically enrolled in the VSCS insurance plan and will make the student responsible to pay the cost of the insurance.

To access and submit the waiver:

1. Go to the VSC portal and log in
2. Select “Finances” icon
3. Select “Student Health Insurance”
4. Complete form entirely and make sure to electronically sign

A confirmation email will be sent to your VTC email after proper completion of this form.

2022-2023 Coverage Details

• Annual cost: $1,949 for coverage period August 15, 2022 thru August 14, 2023.
• Spring only cost: $1,206 for coverage period January 1, 2023 thru August 14, 2023. Note that this is for new students and returning students entering in the spring semester as a full-time student. So if you are just entering Vermont Tech as a new student or were part-time in the fall term but become full-time in the spring term, you will be required to complete the waiver form if you have other coverage or require now the school’s insurance.

Waiver Deadlines

• Fall term: September 30, 2022
• Spring term: February 15, 2023

A complete description of benefits can be found at the insurance company’s website. A list of preferred providers can be found here.

Financial Literacy is having the knowledge and skills required to make informed and effective financial decisions.  Check out the resources below for a variety of financial counseling tools to help you on your way to financial happiness! 

7 Steps on How to Create a Budget

Cash Course Your Real-Life Money Guide

How can you get on the right path to a great financial future while making your money count today?

360 degrees of Financial Literacy 
A free effort of the nation’s certified public accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances through every stage of life.

FinAid The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
The custom calculators can help you figure out how much school will cost, how much you need to save and how much aid you’ll need.

iGrad Your Future…Our Focus
iGrad was borne of a desire to provide young adults the opportunity to thrive financially by providing a community with intuitive tools, resources, and content to help them succeed financially.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) 
The U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) central database for student aid. NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and Pell grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or Pell grant data.

MyMoney.gov
Strengthen your financial capability and increase access to financial services.

Love Your Money
This site will take you through a step-by-step plan covering topics like building wealth, budgets, setting goals, credit cards, debt, 401k programs, identity theft, and more.

Get Financially Fit on Nelnet.com
Develop healthy habits for a secure financial future with resources from Nelnet. Get savvy about finances, build a budget, and protect yourself and your financial future.

Strategies for Saving Money

Helpful Cheat Sheets & Quick Guides

• Financial Literacy 101
• Ten Things You Should Know about Student Loans
• Know Where to Go
• Before You Go

Policies

• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)
• SAP Appeal Form
• 150% Loan Limit Rule
• 150% Loan Limit Fact Sheet
• Return Of Title IV Funds (R2T4)
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Code of Conduct
• VTC Consumer Default Rate Disclosure

Resources

• Myths About Financial Aid
  Don’t fall for these myths about federal student aid and the application
  process!
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  Explore the eligibility requirements here.
• Net Price Calculator
  Estimate your Financial Aid Award at Vermont Tech.
• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
  Not just for Vermont residents!
• GI Bill Website
  Explore the Department of Veterans Affairs site.
• View Your Loan History
  Keep up to date on your aggregate loan debt!
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Resource Center
  NASFAA resource center for students and parents.

>

General Forms, Worksheets, Applications, and Cost Sheets

General Forms

• Your Next Steps — Month by Month Guide
• Activate Your Account
• A Guide to Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Package
• Change Form
• Outside Aid Form and Certification Statements
• Monthly Expense Form

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Forms

• SAP Appeal Form
• SAP Policy

Scholarship Applications

• Vermont Tech General Scholarship Application
• Craig A. Rogers Scholarship Application
• GW Plastics Scholars Program Application

2022-2023 Forms & Worksheets

Verification Forms

• Verification of Tax Transcript Retrieval
• Dependent Verification Worksheet
• Independent Verification Worksheet
• Non-Tax Filer Statement – Independent & Parent
• Non-Tax Filer Statement – Dependent
• Statement of Educational Purpose
• Form 4506-T

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application Form

• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application 2022

 

Federal Work Study is an employment program funded by the federal government. The program allows students to earn money to help with the costs of attending Vermont Tech. The jobs are on-campus or at certain off-campus, non-profit organizations which contract with the College.    

• Federal Work Study is offered to students with financial need as part of the financial aid offer letter.
• Students are eligible to earn wages up to the amount listed on the offer letter.
• The amount of each student’s work study varies based on financial need and availability of funds.
• On average, students work 5-10 hours a week.
• Students are paid an hourly rate and receive paychecks every two weeks for the hours worked.
• Eligibility for the program is reviewed annually.

This funding does NOT credit the student’s bill, so it should not be counted towards paying the bill when determining the balance due after financial aid. The earnings are paid directly to the student based on hours worked.  Our Campus Employment Brochure is a guide to acquaint you with policies, procedures, and general rules surrounding employment on campus.

Students are responsible for researching the jobs and finding employment. Vermont Tech does not place students into jobs and cannot guarantee that every student who receives an offer of Federal Work Study as part of their financial aid will find a job. It is the student’s responsibility to actively search and apply for open positions. Vermont Tech emphasizes career preparation, and the employment experience is valued by faculty, staff, and students. Teaching students to search for and secure a Federal Work Study job can be an important step towards career success.

• Students interested in community service placement should contact the Financial Aid Office and will be given priority for work study funds.  Positions include off-campus, non-profit organizations in a range of settings such as education, senior services, health care, America Reads, and Math Counts.
• Visit the Online Job Board and create an account to view job opportunities.
• Students can also visit, call, or email any department supervisor directly to inquire about available job positions.

Student Application & Employment Process

Students should be contacting the Office of Financial Aid or department supervisor to initiate their work study.

• Students will be provided a Work Study Contract which they will need to complete with the department supervisor and submit back to the Office of Financial Aid.
• The student will then be entered into the UKG time and HR management system for onboarding and receive notification of further instructions.
• The department supervisor is responsible for completing all onboarding with their workers, however the Financial Aid Office is available for troubleshooting.
• U.S. immigration laws require that all new employees complete an I-9 Form within three days of the date of hire. The required documentation must be reviewed and verified before the student can begin work. The student will need two forms of identification to complete this form, preferably a driver’s license and social security card.
• Before students can begin working, all tasks must be completed through UKG.

Time sheets and Payment

All time sheets must be submitted electronically through the Portal in UKG every other Friday by noon. Direct deposit of your payroll check is available by completing and submitting the Direct Deposit Authorization Form.  If direct deposit is not initiated, payroll checks are automatically mailed home to your permanent address. We recognize that a deadline date might be missed once in awhile. However, if we do not receive a time sheet after a month has lapsed, we will assume that you are not working and funds awarded may be reassigned. It is against regulation to hold time sheets for payment beyond the immediate payroll date. Once an award has been cancelled, it cannot be reinstated to honor late time sheets.

Pay Rates

The current rate as of 8/19/2022 is $13.50 per hour.

Vermont Tech strongly recommends that students and families exhaust all other sources of funding, including federal student and parent loans before borrowing private/alternative loans.

Federal student and parent loans carry benefits including deferment and cancellation clauses which may not be available on private/alternative student loans. Federal loans typically carry lower fixed interest rates and offer more flexible repayment options.

Private loans are non-federal, credit-based education loans, borrowed from a private lending institution that must be repaid. The loans are typically issued in the student’s name with a required co-signer. The maximum amount a student may borrow is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid or the maximum limit established by the lender. Families are encouraged to fully explore federal loan options, (e.g. Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Direct PLUS Loans), before securing a private loan due to the benefits and consistencies that the federal loan programs provide.

Comparing Federal and Private Loans

In determining which loan is best for your needs, it is important to research and compare loan interest rates and fees, repayment options, and eligibility requirements.

Private Student Loans

• Many private student loans require payments while you are still in school.
• Private student loans can have a variable interest rate, some greater than 18%.
• Private student loans are not subsidized and eligibility for other Federal financial aid assistance cannot be determined without submitting a FAFSA.
• Private student loans may require an established credit record. The cost of a private student loan depends on your credit score.
• You may need a co-signer to get the best possible deal.
• Interest may not be tax deductible.
• Private student loans cannot be consolidated with the federal loan consolidation program.
• You need to make sure there are no prepayment penalty fees.

Federal Student Loans

• Repayment begins after you graduate, leave school or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.
• The interest rate is fixed and in many cases lower than private student loans. View current interest rates.
• Students with greater financial need might qualify for additional financial aid assistance, including subsidized loans (in which the government pays interest).
• No credit check required (except for Parent PLUS loans).
• No co-signer required.
• Some interest is tax deductible.
• Loans can be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan.
• No prepayment penalty fee.

Questions to Ask When Shopping For an Alternative Loan

It’s important to ask questions and compare lenders to make the choice that’s best for you.

• What is the interest rate and is it fixed or variable?
• What is the maximum interest rate?
• If the interest rate is variable, how often will it change and how high could it go?
• When is accrued interest capitalized (added to principal balance)?
• Is a co-signer required? Will having a co-signer lower my interest rate?
• Is there any application, origination, disbursement or repayment fees?
• What will the minimum payment be?
• How long will I have to repay the loan? Are there any prepayment penalties?
• Are payments required while I am in school?
• What options are available if I can’t make my payments due to a job loss or economic hardship?

When a Private Loan is a Good Option

A private loan may be an appropriate choice for you, if:

• You understand and have compared the terms of the Federal Parent PLUS loan and the terms of a private loan offered to you, and have determined that the private loan is a better choice for your family.
• You have applied for the maximum amount of all federal loans suggested to you and still have a difference between the cost of attendance and the total financial aid you have received.
• You are a dependent undergraduate student and your parents will not borrow (or have been denied) a Federal PLUS Loan.
• You owe a balance from a previous semester. You may be able to receive a private loan for an earlier loan period.
• You are an international student with limited borrowing alternatives.

Researching Alternative Loan Lender Options

We encourage students to carefully research and compare private loan options before borrowing. Please keep the following in mind while researching your options.

• Terms and conditions vary widely among lenders.
• Consider contacting lenders or other financial institutions (such as banks, credit unions, or higher education authorities) with whom you already have a working relationship.
• Many states have a higher education agency that offers financial assistance (grants and/or loans), and/or offers services to assist students in finding and comparing private student loans.

Vermont Tech cannot recommend a lender or lenders for you to use for your private loan.  You can use the tools on this page as a way to compare lenders and the loan products they offer. You are not limited to any of the lenders you find through our resources and may borrow with any lender of your choice.

We are happy to help you understand the private loan process, especially how it relates to your other financial aid, so please contact us if you have questions.

TIP: To avoid deceptive student loan offers, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Facts for Consumers.

Listing of Alternative Loan Lenders:

Credit Unions

• North Country Federal Credit Union
• Digital Federal Credit Union
• UMassFive College Federal Credit Union
• Vermont Federal Credit Union
• Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union

Banks

• College Ave Student Loans
• Citizens Bank
  • Loan Application and Solicitation Disclosure
• Sallie Mae Student Loans
  • Loan Application and Solicitation Disclosures
• Discover
  • Loan Application and Solicitation Disclosure

Loan Authorities

• Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA)
• Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA)
• EDvestinU
• LendKey
• MEFA
  • Loan Application and Solicitation Disclosure
• VSAC
  • Vermont Advantage Student Loan Application/Solicitation Disclosure
  • Vermont Advantage Parent Loan Application/Solicitation Disclosure 
  • Vermont Choice Loan Application/Solicitation Disclosure

Student loans are designed to help you pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. Loans must be paid back, and they accrue interest over time. 

Federal Direct Loans

Through the Federal Direct Lending Program, borrowers receive federal loan funds directly from the U.S. Department of Education. There are two types of Federal Direct Loans:

1. Subsidized: The federal government pays the interest on this loan while the student is enrolled at least half-time or during times of authorized deferment. Direct Subsidized Loans are awarded based on federal financial need and grade level. .
2. Unsubsidized: Students are responsible for paying the interest that accumulates after the loan has disbursed. The interest can be paid while in school or the accrued interest will be capitalized (added to the principal balance). Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are awarded based on grade level, and financial need is not considered.

• Effective on July 1, 2022 the interest rate for both Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans is fixed at 4.99%.
• A fee of 1.057% is deducted from the loan amount at every disbursement.
• Repayment begins six months from the date of graduation, full withdrawal or enrollment less than half-time.
• There is no pre-payment penalty.
• 150% Loan Limit Rule –Beginning July 1st, 2013, any first time borrower, (which is defined as someone who has either never borrowed a federal student loan previously, or has borrowed previously but currently has a zero balance), will only be able to borrow federal direct subsidized loans for a maximum of 150% of the published program length in which he/she is enrolled. Once a student reaches the 150% mark, he/she will not be able to borrow further subsidized loans, however he/she may be eligible for unsubsidized loans. Additionally, those subsidized loans that had been borrowed up to the 150% point will lose further government subsidy and interest on these loans will begin to accrue. From the 150% point forward, these subsidized loans will become unsubsidized loans. For example, if the published length of a program is the equivalent of four years, a student may borrow subsidized loans for the equivalent of six years while in the same program, if all other eligibility requirements are met.
• New Direct Loan Borrowers at Vermont Tech must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling online at www.studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Program provides a borrowing option for parents of dependent undergraduate students to help finance their student’s education. The maximum amount a parent can borrow is the cost of attendance less other sources of financial aid. The student’s award letter will indicate the maximum amount eligible. This amount can be reduced or declined; no parent is required to borrow a Federal Direct PLUS Loan.

The funds are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. This is a credit based loan. As of 07/01/2022, the interest rate is fixed at 7.54%, and there is a 4.228% fee deducted from every disbursement. Interest accrues from the first date of disbursement. Repayment begins after the loan is fully disbursed; however, deferment options are available to delay repayment. There is no pre-payment penalty.

To borrow through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program the parent must pass a credit check, which is valid for 90 days. Parents without adverse credit will be approved for the loan. Adverse credit is defined by regulation as: 90 days or more delinquent on any debt or having a credit report that shows a default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off of a Title IV debt, during the five years preceding the date of the credit report. Parents denied a Federal Direct PLUS Loan will be offered the option to appeal or apply with a credit-approved endorser.  Please see below for upcoming changes to the regulations on adverse credit history.

On March 29, 2015, the new Direct PLUS Loan regulations on adverse credit history will be implemented.  The new regulations provide that a PLUS loan applicant has an adverse credit history if, in addition to other conditions (e.g. bankruptcy, foreclosure, tax lien, or a default determination), the applicant has one or more debts that are 90 or more days delinquent or that are in collection or have been charged off during the two years preceding the date of the applicant’s credit report, but only if the total combined outstanding balance of those debts is greater than $2,085.  Special loan counseling will also be required for any PLUS Loan applicant who has an adverse credit history but who qualifies for a PLUS Loan through the process for reconsideration due to extenuating circumstances or by obtaining an endorser for the loan.  While the counseling is mandatory only for these borrowers, the Department of Education will offer voluntary counseling for all PLUS Loan borrowers.

NOTE: If parents are denied the PLUS, students may opt to borrow additional unsubsidized loan eligibility between $4000 and $5000 depending on grade level.

Parents intending to borrow a PLUS Loan will need to complete a paper application available on the Forms page; then submit it by either mail or fax to the Financial Aid Office.  The parent will also need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at www.studentaid.gov.  In subsequent years, only the PLUS Application will need to be completed. The MPN is valid for 10 years after a loan has been issued from it.

Federal Perkins Loan

This loan program has been discontinued by the Federal Government.

Federal Perkins Loans borrowed by VTC students are serviced by ECSI.

VTC is contracted with ECSI to assist in the administration and billing of VTC and Federal Perkins Loans. ECSI acts on behalf of the Vermont Technical College for the billing and repayment of your student loans. As an agent for VTC, ECSI will assist you in meeting your repayment obligation for your student loan(s).

Payments, correspondence and questions may be directed to:

ECSI
100 Global View Drive, Suite 800
Warrendale, PA 15086
Phone: (888)-549-3274