How do I pay for it?

Funding for education and training programs can come in the form of:

• Grants (based on financial need, do not need to be repaid)
• Scholarships (based on need, achievement or other factors, do not need to be repaid)
• Loans (which must be repaid)
• Work-study jobs (a student earns wages in part-time work while in school)

Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs as an employee benefit. (For example, see UVM Medical Center Training Programs.) A health care employer may also offer scholarships to encourage its employees to continue their education for a critically-needed position in health care.

If you are a Vermont resident and have not already received a bachelor’s degree, you can also apply for a Vermont Grant by contacting VSAC.

Study Health Sciences in New England

Colleges may participate in the New England Board of Higher Education’s (NEBHE) Tuition Break program, formerly known as the New England Regional Student Program (RSP), enables thousands of New England residents to enroll at out-of-state New England public colleges and universities at a discount. Students are eligible for the Tuition Break when they enroll in an approved major that is not offered by the public colleges and universities in their home state.

Grants, Scholarships, Loans, & Work Study Programs

Vermont Resources

*NEBHE’s Tuition Break

The New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break (formerly known as the Regional Student Program) provides New England residents with a tuition break when they study certain majors – not available at public colleges in their home state – at public colleges and universities in other New England states.

*Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program

The Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program is funded by the State of Vermont, through the Department of Health. It is administered by the University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. The goal of the program is to ensure a stable and adequate supply of primary care practitioners, nurses (LPNs and RNs), and dentists to meet the health care needs of Vermont. Applicants must be Vermont residents and must serve Vermont patients, as defined by the Program. The practice site or region must have a need for nurses, or be an underserved area, as defined by the Program. Recipients must meet a one-year service commitment.

VT529

How to prepare for a child’s education by saving early in the VT 529 College Savings Plan (formerly known as the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan), and other financial fitness tools.

Vermont Jump$tart

An affiliate of the National Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Finance Literacy – aims to improve the financial literacy of America’s youth.

Vermont State Treasurer’s Financial Education Site

Offers tools for financial literacy and know-how in managing money.

*Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)

A public, nonprofit corporation created to help Vermonters plan and pay for education and training beyond high school.

National Resources

*Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, our 1,200 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 15 million students paying for college or career school. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)

G.I. Bill Website

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs site on benefits for veterans and dependents.

Health Professions Student Loans Program

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services site on financial aid resources for the health professions.

National Health Service Corps

Scholarships for current and prospective health careers students.

Nursing Scholarship Search

Search on nurse.org for available nursing scholarships.

Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project

The Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project (SLBA) is a program of the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). SLBA is focused on providing information about student loan rights and responsibilities for borrowers and advocates. SLBA also seeks to increase public understanding of student lending issues and to identify policy solutions to promote access to education, lessen student debt burdens and make loan repayment more manageable.  Learn more about us in the advocacy section, including SLBA reports, comments and testimony.  We also represent a limited number of low-income clients in Massachusetts only and consult with advocates nationwide. Includes FAQs for those with loans or who want to borrow.

The Go-to Guide for College Financial Aid

A comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice, and tools.

The Project on Student Debt

The Project on Student Debt works to increase public understanding of this trend and the implications for our families, economy, and society. Recognizing that loans play a critical role in making college possible, the Project’s goal is to identify cost-effective solutions that expand educational opportunity, protect family financial security, and advance economic competitiveness. The Project on Student Debt is an initiative of the Institute for College Access & Success, a nonprofit independent research and policy organization dedicated to making college more available and affordable to people of all backgrounds.