Support and Financial Assistance

Many adult learners qualify for funding to help with some or all of the tuition cost for training. Career centers work with VSAC, Vermont Department of Labor, HireAbility, and Vermont Adult  Education and Literacy Services.

VSAC has outreach counselors in every region in Vermont ready to help students learn about grant opportunities.

Find a VSAC Counselor in your Region

Advancement Grant

This scholarship is based on financial need and has a cap of $3000 per course and 6 courses altogether.  It can be used for any class that you are taking to advance your career.  More information is available here.

Curtis Credential of Value (COV) Training Scholarship

This scholarship has a cap of $1500 and can be used in addition to other financial aid and open to people living in Vermont. The VSAC counselor in your region can explain the nomination process.  Your class for this scholarship must lead to an industry recognized credential.

Vermont Trades Scholarship Forgivable Loan Program

This need-based scholarship currently ( August 2022) is available to both Vermont and non-Vermont residents with a family adjusted gross income less than $100,000. The maximum funding cap is up to UVM tuition and in addition to full tuition can also cover initial licensing fees and exam fees.  However, the loan must be repaid if a student fails to complete the course or pass any licensing or certification exam or does not work in their profession in Vermont for each year of funding.

Find a VSAC Counselor in your Region

Secondary Student Pilot Program

This program started in September 2022 to help high school students take adult CTE classes.  There is no cap on individual student awards, but applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis with a cap of $20,000 per CTE center.  If you are a high school student and interested in taking a class on this website or any other class through Adult CTE, contact the CTE center directly via their page on this website. More information here.

Vermont Works for Women supports women and gender nonconforming individuals with career exploration, development and advancement, including searching, applying for and interviewing for jobs, transitioning between fields, managing personal finances, and more!

Explore employment and training support services for women.

Vermont Works for Women can also connect you with a volunteer career mentor. Any woman or gender nonconforming individual can request to meet with a career mentor to get help with finding a new job or learning about a new career.

Explore career mentoring for women.

The Vermont Department of Labor is ready to help unemployed, underemployed, and displaced workers find and fund training opportunities.

Find a Vermont Department of Labor Career Resource Center in your region

HireAbility Vermont provides services to help Vermont's dealing with a disability that affects employment. They may also provide financial and academic support for adult technical training.

Find a HireAbility office in your area

Vermont Adult Basic Education assists adult learners, age 16 and older, to acquire the  reading,  writing, math, and computer skills to earn their high school diploma or GED. They also teach English Language Learners the skills needed to advance educationally or in the workplace.

Find Adult Education and Literacy Services in your area.