Extension Master Gardener Course Scholarships

2024 Extension Master Gardener Course Scholarships

For the 2024 Extension Master Gardener (EMG) course, we offer a limited number of partial scholarships, thanks to the fundraising efforts of our volunteer-led local EMG Chapters. Chapter scholarships are available to those Vermont residents who would like to successfully pursue Track 1 (volunteer certification) of the course and commit to volunteering in their community following the course. We are not able to provide Chapter scholarships to Track 2 students at this time. 

All scholarship applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on Friday, December 15, 2023. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified if they have received a scholarship by January 5, 2024.

The number of scholarships and application materials vary by Chapter, see below for the scholarships offered in your area.

Other Course Funding Options

Should you need a full scholarship to participate in the course, we highly recommend that you pursue a grant from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). VSAC provides Short-term Training Advancement Grants (previously known as the Vermont Non-Degree Grant program) that provides funding for non-degree courses and training for income-eligible Vermonters. Read more about VSAC below. There is also funding available for qualifying individuals from Americorps, see below for details.

Extension Master Gardener Manual Accessibility

The course requires students to access the PennState Extension Master Gardener Manual . The manual is available for $75 plus shipping. See accessibility options below.

2024 Scholarships -- Look for Your Chapter / Location Below

Bennington County

Ten (10) partial scholarships of $250 per person are open to Bennington County residents interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer track) of the 2024 Extension Master Gardener course. Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on Friday, December 15, 2023.

This scholarship program is funded and organized by volunteers of the Bennington County Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program. 

Apply for a Bennington County Chapter Course Scholarship Here

Central-Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties)

Six (6) partial scholarships of $150 per student are open to Vermont residents in Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties who are interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer certification track) of the 2024 Extension Master Gardener course.  Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on Friday, December 15, 2023.

This scholarship program is funded and organized by volunteers of the Central-NEK Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program.

Apply for a Central-NEK Chapter Course Scholarship Here

Rutland County

Four (4) partial scholarships of $250 per person are open to Rutland County residents interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer track) of the 2024 Extension Master Gardener course. Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on Friday, December 15, 2023.

This scholarship program has been funded and organized by volunteers of the Rutland County Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program.

Apply for a Rutland County Chapter Course Scholarship Here

Southeast (Windham and Windsor Counties)

One (1) partial scholarship of $200 is open to Vermont residents in Windham and Windsor Counties who are interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer track) of the 2024 Extension Master Gardener course. Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on Friday, December 15, 2023.

This scholarship program has been funded and organized by volunteers of the Southeast Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program.

Apply for a Southeast Chapter Course Scholarship Here

Other Course Funding Options

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) offers Short-term Training--Advancement Grants for Vermont residents who are not enrolled in high school and are pursuing a non-degree (non-matriculated) course or program that will improve their ability to get a job or that encourages further study (this includes the EMG course). There are financial eligibility considerations. Visit www.vsac.org.

Please note: VSAC Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available. Applicants will be notified of their eligibility approximately 2-3 weeks after the application is complete -- so be sure to apply well in advance, no later than December 15, 2023. We cannot guarantee a spot in the course for you if you apply to VSAC after December 15. 

Step-By-Step Procedures

If you are a Vermont resident, you may apply to VSAC to cover the EMG course 400 registration fee of $400 and the cost of the manual, $90 (book plus shipping). Please follow the steps below.

  • Create a MyVSAC account at https://secureacctaccess.vsac.org/myvsac/
  • Log into your account and click on the "Work with Grants" button. Click Apply for a Grant. Submit a 2023-2024 Advancement Grant Application. Follow the instructions and complete all fields. See below for specific information to enter (copy and paste).
    • Field 24. Enrollment Terms: Select Winter (Jan.-April) for this course.
    • Field 25. Course Name: UVM Extension Master Gardener Course
    • Field 26. Start Date: January 20, 2023
    • To cover registration, enter -- Field 28. Mandatory Fees: $400
    • To cover the cost of the Manual (includes shipping), enter -- Field 29. Books:  $90
    • Field 40. School or program's full name: UVM Professional Career Course No Academic Credit
    • Field 41. School or program's address: 109 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05405
    • Field 42. School or program's phone number: 802-656-8407
    • Field 43. School or program's e-mail address: noncredit@uvm.edu
  • VSAC will process your application and notify you about your award.
  • Notify debra.heleba@uvm.edu with your award and she will send you a special link to register for the EMG course. Please do NOT use the standard registration link on the course website.

Americorps

Contact the National Service Hotline at: 1-800-942-2677 or submit a question to AmeriCorps via webform.

Students may use their AmeriCorps educational stipend to cover the course fee ($400-VT residents) and the cost for materials ($90).

Be sure to apply well in advance, no later than December 15, 2023. We cannot guarantee a spot in the course for you if you apply to AmeriCorps after December 15.

Notify debra.heleba@uvm.edu when you receive approval from AmeriCorps with your award and she will send you a special link to register for the EMG course. Please do NOT use the standard registration link on the course website.

Middlebury Garden Club Scholarship (Addison County Residents Only)

The Middlebury Garden Club is offering two scholarships for the 2024 UVM Extension Master Gardener course.

To be eligible for the scholarship you must be a resident of Addison County.

This is how the scholarship works:  If you are awarded the scholarship, you will be responsible for paying for tuition and materials up front.  You must complete Track 1 of the course (volunteer certification track), and then complete the requisite 40 volunteer hours (over a two-year period) in order to become certified.  The Club will then reimburse the cost of tuition and materials.

To apply for the scholarship, please fill out the application form available on the Club’s website at middleburygardenclub.org and submit it as directed in the form.

The two scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis.

Extension Master Gardener Course Manual

Our program uses the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Manual -- this 880-page book is comprehensive and covers topics beyond the scope of the course. It is available for $75 plus shipping. 

If you are unable to purchase the manual, we have placed copies in multiple libraries around the state, see list below.

You may lend the book from one of these libraries directly or through an interlibrary loan. Talk to your local librarian for details about how to make an interlibrary loan request. Please keep in mind that the library loan period will likely be shorter then the duration of the course, so you may need to renew the book several times. This period varies by library, so be sure to ask your librarian about their loan period policies. Some libraries will offer an extended loan period, so be sure to ask your local library if this is possible.

One copy of the Penn State Master Gardener Manual, are available at the following locations: