Freedom & Unity (free tuition at Vermont State University)
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) and Vermont State University; funded by the Vermont Legislature
Free general tuition at Vermont State University for full- or part-time degree students with family adjusted gross income of $85,000 or less.
- How much
- Full general tuition at Vermont State University (combined with Pell, Vermont and institutional grants)
- Who qualifies
- Vermont resident; associate or bachelor's degree program (full- or part-time) at Vermont State University; family AGI of $85,000 or less on the FAFSA; high school diploma or equivalent; no bachelor's degree; satisfactory academic progress if enrolled.
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time No separate deadline; Vermont State University has rolling admission. File the FAFSA and Vermont Grant application each year.
- How to apply
- 1) File the FAFSA
- 2) Complete the Vermont Grant application in MyVSAC (or the Vermont Grant Pathway Application)
- 3) Apply for admission to Vermont State University
- 4) Register for classes
- Part-time students get an eligibility notice from VSAC
- Full-time students should contact VTSU Financial Aid (financialaid@vermontstate.edu)
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (vsac.org) and page 2
The details
Funded by the Vermont Legislature and built on Vermont State University's Free Tuition Promise. Covers general tuition in full (for courses registered by the end of add/drop) when combined with the federal Pell Grant, the Vermont Grant and institutional grants, for fall and spring semesters. Not covered: program-specific tuition, mandatory fees, course and program fees, textbooks, computers and supplies; graduate and certificate programs aren't covered. Eligibility: Vermont resident of any age; pursuing a full- or part-time associate or bachelor's degree at Vermont State University; filed the FAFSA and Vermont Grant application (or the Vermont Grant Pathway Application); student and/or family AGI of $85,000 or less on the FAFSA; high school graduate or equivalent; no bachelor's degree; satisfactory academic progress if already enrolled. New and returning students qualify, including those in default on an education loan. No separate application.
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)
- 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
- Vermont Micro Grant (emergency micro grant)Not published (small emergency award)
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.