Vermont Armed Services Scholarship
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), on behalf of the State of Vermont
Free tuition at Vermont public colleges (or the equivalent at another Vermont school) for the children, stepchildren and spouses of Vermont National Guard, reserve and active-duty members who died on duty.
- How much
- Up to full-time tuition at a Vermont public college or university (up to 130 credits); Pell Grant is deducted
- Who qualifies
- Child, stepchild or spouse of a Vermont National Guard, U.S. reserve or active-duty member who died on duty (Gold Star family)
- Parent/spouse's service and Vermont connection as defined in 16 V.S.A. §§ 2537-2541; enrolled in an approved certificate or degree program (not postgraduate) at a Vermont institution.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school, transfer students
- When to apply
- Apply any time First-come, first-served while funds are available (no fixed deadline).
- How to apply
- Submit VSAC's Unified Scholarship Application and the FAFSA
- You may also need your birth certificate, marriage certificate and a letter from the Adjutant General
- Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served while funds last
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (vsac.org)
The details
Created by the Vermont Legislature (16 V.S.A. §§ 2537-2541). Eligible: the child, stepchild or spouse of (1) a Vermont National Guard member in good standing killed since 1955, or who died on active or inactive duty since January 1, 2001; (2) a U.S. active reserve member who died on active or inactive duty since January 1, 2001 and was a Vermont resident; or (3) a U.S. active armed forces member who died on active duty since January 1, 2001 and was a Vermont resident, or a nonresident VTNG member or Vermont-based reserve unit member mobilized to active duty. Eligibility is determined by the VTNG or the U.S. armed forces. You must be enrolled in an approved certificate or degree program (not a postgraduate degree) at a Vermont university, college or technical institute. Amount: up to full-time tuition (up to 18 credits a semester) at a Vermont public institution (UVM, Vermont State University, CCV), or up to the in-state Vermont state college tuition at another Vermont school. Usable for the credits needed to graduate, up to 130 credits. Any federal Pell Grant is subtracted.
More money from Vermont
- Governor Phil Hoff Vermont Honor Scholarship$1,000 (one-time)
- 802Opportunity (free tuition at Community College of Vermont)Full CCV tuition plus the $125 administrative fee (combined with Pell and Vermont grants)
- Freedom & Unity (free tuition at Vermont State University)Full general tuition at Vermont State University (combined with Pell, Vermont and institutional grants)
- Vermont Advancement Grant (formerly Vermont Non-Degree Grant)Varies with need, course cost and program type (annual maximum set by VSAC; not published)
- Vermont Grant (Vermont Incentive Grant and Part-Time Grant)Varies; eligible students received $1,000 to $15,350 for 2025-2026
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.