The College of Education and Social Services (CESS) provides the Graduate Impact Scholarship on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Tuition awards are meant to attract and retain exceptional students and to reward meritorious achievement by current students.

Eligibility

Preference will be given to students who meet both of the following criteria:

1. Those whose presence will positively impact the academic integrity, culture and quality of the CESS graduate student community, as indicated by faculty evaluation of the candidate’s application to and/or performance in graduate school.
2. Those with demonstrated financial need, as indicated by a statement of purpose for financial need and a FAFSA form.*

To apply for a tuition award based on these criteria, students complete the CESS General Application Form for Scholarship Assistance, and submit a FAFSA form.* Applicants who are offered financial support are typically notified soon after admission and generally must accept or decline the offer by a stated deadline. Financial assistance is typically offered as one package to be used in the 1st year of study, aimed at reducing the total cost of the program.

Applicants for the CESS Impact Award may concurrently apply for a Inclusive Excellence Award and/or Bridge to Vermont Award. Scholarship awards cannot be combined with Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs).

*Please see detailed instructions in the Scholarship Application

Please note that the 2026-27 FAFSA form for fall 2026 applicants will open October 1. Spring 2026 applicants can use the 2025-26 FAFSA form.

Our Graduate Tuition Scholarship for Inclusive Excellence supports CESS graduate students whose presence will advance the inclusive excellence of CESS Graduate Programs. We are a community that values work across difference and celebrates the unique perspective of every student, and in particular, those that can clearly articulate how their lived experience will be relevant to their graduate program of study and also enhance the program of study for others. Applicants for the CESS Inclusive Excellence Scholarship are strongly encouraged to share their unique lived experience with us as part of the application process.

Eligibility

Preference will be given to students that meet both of the following criteria:

1. We are a community that values work across difference and celebrates the unique perspective of every student, and in particular, those who can clearly articulate how their lived experience will be relevant to their graduate program of study and also enhance the program of study for others.
2. Those with demonstrated financial need, as indicated by a statement of purpose for financial need and a FAFSA form.*

To apply for a tuition award based on the criteria above, students complete the CESS General Application Form for Scholarship Assistance. Applicants who are offered financial support are typically notified at the time of admission and generally must accept or decline the offer by a stated deadline. Financial assistance is typically offered a period of one year, with chances to re-apply yearly through the duration of the program based on satisfactory performance and available funding.

Applicants for the Inclusive Excellence Award may concurrently apply for a CESS Impact Award and/or Bridge to Vermont Award. Scholarship awards cannot be combined with Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs).

*Please see detailed instructions in the Scholarship Application

Please note that the 2026-27 FAFSA form for fall 2026 applicants will open October 1. Spring 2026 applicants can use the 2025-26 FAFSA form.

The College of Education and Social Services (CESS) provides the Bridge to Vermont Tuition Scholarship specifically to attract students living outside of the state of Vermont, including international students. The purpose of this scholarship is to attract a geographically diverse study body, one that represents an expansive range of regional, cultural, and ideological identities. 

Eligibility

Students are eligible to apply if they do not have Vermont residency when they begin their graduate studies at UVM.

Applicants for the Bridge to Vermont Award may concurrently apply for a CESS Impact Award and/or Inclusive Excellence Award. Scholarship awards cannot be combined with Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs).

To apply for a tuition award based on the criteria above, students complete the CESS General Application Form for Scholarship Assistance. Applicants who are offered financial support are typically notified at the time of admission and generally must accept or decline the offer by a stated deadline. Financial assistance is typically offered a period of one year, with chances to re-apply yearly through the duration of the program based on satisfactory performance and available funding.

Each year, the Rowland Foundation offers up to four Diversifying the Educator Workforce (DEW) Grants for aspiring educators of color who live in Vermont. Each grantee may receive up to $20,000 in financial assistance to cover costs associated with obtaining their Vermont teacher’s license, including: exams, graduate courses, licensing fees, certification and internship programs, and other costs incurred while student teaching. In addition, grantees will be paired with a licensed Vermont educator of color. This mentor will provide support and guidance throughout the grant cycle. Applicants must be able to demonstrate completion of a Bachelor’s Degree; current Vermont residency; and either employment in a Vermont school or concrete steps already taken towards teacher licensure.

Even as a growing body of educational research demonstrates the positive impacts of teachers of color on the short- and long-term outcomes for all students, Vermont’s educator workforce does not reflect the increasing diversity of the state’s overall population. In recognition of this disparity, The Rowland Foundation is pleased to offer this new grant program, intended to remove some of the obstacles to teaching licensure that prevent some educators of color from entering the profession in Vermont.

For more information about the program, please contact us at info@therowlandfoundation.org or call us at (802) 230-7879.