Top 5 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Vermont

A college degree greatly increases the range of professional opportunities available to students.

Many employers prefer applicants with college degrees and the training received during a college program is irreplaceable in many cases.

Even though a college education can be worth upwards of half a million dollars in lifetime earnings, tuition can be cost-prohibitive for many students and their families.

Discovering programs that offer free college in Vermont can make degrees accessible to a broader range of individuals.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

Free college in Vermont can become a reality through these great opportunities listed below.

1. University of Vermont

The University of Vermont (UVM) presents an exciting opportunity for free college in Vermont.

Students from households that earn less than $60,000 per year are eligible for four years of free tuition. No application is necessary to receive the funding aside from the FAFSA form.

UVM is committed to affordability and has frozen tuition costs for the fifth year in a row.

2. Vermont Technical College

Vermont Technical College offers free tuition for a range of programs that are considered critical occupations.

Degrees included in the free tuition program are:

• nursing
• radiology
• respiratory therapy
• dental hygiene

Several non-degree certificate programs are also offered free of charge:

• computer software development
• paramedicine
• practical nursing
• web development

Electrical and plumbing apprenticeships are also available.

The only criteria is that applicants are residents of Vermont and enrolled in an eligible program.

3. Castleton University

Students enrolling in select programs at Castleton University may be eligible for a free tuition program.

To qualify, students must come from a household with an annual income of less than $150,000 and live in the state of Vermont.

Eligible programs include bachelor's degree programs in nursing, as well as early childhood and special education.

4. Northern Vermont University

Northern Vermont University's free tuition program can enable students to earn bachelor's and even master's degrees at no out-of-pocket cost.

To be eligible, students must come from a family with an income of less than $150,000.

Degrees participating in the free tuition program are:

• early childhood education
• nursing
• accounting
• small business management

The master's in clinical mental health counseling can also be completed at no cost.

5. Community College of Vermont

The Community College of Vermont is tuition-free for students with a family income of less than $75,000.

The college offers 30 high-quality associate degree programs in flexible day, night, and online formats.

A free associate degree can be a springboard to further educational or professional opportunities and has little downside or financial risk.

How To Make College Free

Free college in Vermont may require a combination of funding sources to chip away at tuition expenses.

Students should explore a number of options such as employer tuition reimbursement, tuition waiver, scholarships, and grants to find all the possible funds available to them.

Apply for Grants

Grants are an excellent source of financial aid for college students. Except in rare cases, grants do not need to be repaid like loans.

Many grants are awarded through state or federal programs aimed at increasing the affordability of higher education.

For example, the Pell Grant is awarded to students who have a low expected family income entered on the FAFSA form.

Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are another form of financial aid associated with educational contexts.

There are many different types of scholarships ranging from merit scholarships awarded for academic excellence to random-selection general scholarships.

Vermont students can apply for the Choose Vermont scholarship which awards $5,000 to students committing to a university in Vermont.

Other Vermont scholarships offered by Vermont state schools include the Degree Completion Scholarship and the Welcome Home Scholarship.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

In order to appeal to and retain employees, many employers now offer attractive tuition reimbursement programs.

These programs will partially or fully reimburse the college costs of students who remain employed at the corporation.

Many state or public occupations also participate in tuition reimbursement programs. Check with your employer to see if they offer a similar program.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Tuition waivers eliminate or reduce the cost of a college degree for certain groups who qualify.

Senior citizens, military members, and veterans may be eligible for tuition waivers granting free college in Vermont.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Vermont Today

Finding free college in Vermont can be a real possibility due to new programs offered by the state. Earning a college degree at little or no cost can give students a tremendous advantage in their career.