Trinity campus green in the fall

green barAt UVM, we offer many options to help you finance your education which reflect our commitment to access and affordability.

Our office is here to help parents and students understand the range of financial aid offers, student loans, and scholarships available.

Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college through grants, scholarships, work study, and loans. Types of aid you should know about:

  • Need-based Aid: Awarded based on your financial need, and may come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and/or work-study. For example, a need-based grant may be awarded if you are a lower-income student.
  • Non Need-based Aid: Not based on financial need and may come in the form of loans from federal or private sources.
  • Merit-based Aid: Non-need based aid. Awarded based on your skills, abilities, or achievements. For example, you may be awarded a merit-based scholarship.

Explore the different types of Financial Aid:

Grants and Scholarships

  • Grants and scholarships are awarded from a variety of sources including UVM, federal, state and private entities. These funds are considered "gift aid" and do not have to be repaid. Eligibility for grants is based primarily on financial need; although academic merit or other criteria may also be considered for certain grant funding. Eligibility for scholarships may be based on many factors, including financial need, merit, course of study, athletic or other involvement, or other criteria.
  • Explore UVM Scholarships
  • Explore Non-UVM Scholarships

More information about UVM need-based assistance for Undergraduates

The renewal of university need-based aid (which can include grants and/or scholarships) is contingent upon the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress and continued financial need. By completing the FAFSA by the financial aid deadline you will automatically be considered for university need-based funds.

The UVM Need-Based Gift Aid in a financial aid offer is a commitment of need-based aid that will be provided to you by UVM for the academic year and will not need to be repaid. The funding source for UVM Need-Based Gift Aid may be UVM grant funds and/or a scholarship fund provided by a donor. Students who have been selected to receive some or all of their UVM Need-Based Gift Aid support from a particular scholarship fund will be notified with more details in late summer.

 

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Direct loans are offered to students to pay for education-related expenses, such as college tuition, room and board, or textbooks. Many of these loans are offered to students at a lower interest rate (a fee for borrowing the money), such as the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. In general, students are not required to pay back these loans until the end of a grace period, which usually begins after they have completed their education. However, interest accrued may have to be repaid earlier.

  • Several loan financing options exists both for students and parents of dependent students. Learn about federal loans and interest rates.
    • Subsidized Federal Direct Loan: Awarded based on financial need. With this type of loan, the federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled in college.
    • Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan: Does not have a financial need requirement. Unsubsidized loans start accruing interest (fee for borrowing the money) once the loan has disbursed (paid to the student account). You can choose to pay the interest while in school and during grace, deferment, or forbearance periods. If not paid, the interest will be capitalized (added to the principal amount of the loan). If possible, it is always a good idea to pay interest on an Unsubsidized loan while you are in school and during any grace, deferment, and/or forbearance periods since this will save you money.
    • Federal Direct PLUS Loan: This loan does not have a financial need requirement and is only available to graduate or medical students, and to parents of dependent undergraduate or eligible non-degree students. This loan is unsubsidized so it starts to accrue interest right away.

 

Institutional Loans

UVM offers loan financing options to students through several institutional loan programs. Eligibility for these programs are determined through financial need. Loan terms vary by program and the promissory note should be referenced for full loan terms.

 

Private Education Loans

Private education loans may be an option for students and families seeking to supplement other financial assistance.

 

Federal Work Study

Federal work study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money through work to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

 

What You Need to Know About Federal Aid

Federal financial aid included in your award is subject to change based upon adjustments in the Federal budget or to Federal aid programs offered.

Explore Financial Aid by Population:

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Financial aid for undergraduate students typically includes student loans, parent loans (for dependent students), and grants for students with financial need or who meet merit criteria eligibility. 

State Grants

Learn more about:

Graduate Financial Aid

Federal loans are the primary source of financial assistance. Graduate students may wish to explore funding opportunities through the UVM Graduate College and outside scholarships.

Fellowships, Assistantships, Traineeships, Stipends, and Grants
Funding opportunities may be available through the UVM Graduate College or your department. Students who wish to be considered for fellowships as well as admission must submit completed applications, with supporting materials, by March of the academic year preceding that for which application is made, or the program's application deadline, whichever is earlier.


Learn more about:

Medical School Financial Aid

Students at the UVM Larner College of Medicine generally finance their education through loans and service-based scholarship programs. Learn more about scholarships, state grants, and loans available to medical students through Medical Student Financial Services at the UVM Larner College of Medicine.

Continuing Education and Certificate Program Financial Aid

Financial aid for continuing education and certificate (non-degree) students is limited and eligibility varies by program. Determine your eligibility and review other financing options here.

Types of Federal Student Aid

By the Numbers

At UVM, 91% of undergraduates receive scholarships or financial aid.