Course Scholarships and Grant Awards
The deadline to apply for Chapter scholarships and VSAC and Americorps grants for the 2027 UVM Extension Master Gardener course is December 14, 2026. We are unable to accept scholarship requests after the deadline.
VSAC & Americorps Awards
We accept grants from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) and Americorps. 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. Please be sure to follow all steps outlined below carefully.
Extension Master Gardener Course Scholarships
Our volunteers offer a limited number of partial scholarships, thanks to their fundraising efforts of volunteer-led local EMG Chapters. Chapter scholarships are only available to those Vermont residents who would like to successfully pursue the course's Track 1 (volunteer certification) 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.
The number of scholarships and application materials vary by Chapter. Scholarships offered in your area are included below when the course registration is open. If you don't see your county listed, no scholarships are available in your area at this time; please check back or refer to other course funding options.
Other Course Funding Options
Some Garden Clubs provide scholarships to participants within their communities.
Extension Master Gardener Manual Accessibility
The course requires students to access the PennState Extension Master Gardener Manual. The manual is accessible through several local libraries, see below.
VSAC & Americorps Awards
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)
The 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 by VSAC of their eligibility approximately 2-3 weeks after the application is completed -- be sure to apply well in advance of the December 14, 2026 deadline. We cannot hold a spot in the course for you if you notify our office about your VSAC award after January .
Step-By-Step Procedures
If you are a Vermont resident, you may apply to VSAC to cover the EMG course 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 2026-2027 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 15, 2027
- 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 (do not select Master Gardener)
- 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.
- IMPORTANT: Notify debra.heleba@uvm.edu once you are approved for your VSAC award before the deadline 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 for VT residents) and the cost for materials ($90).
Be sure to apply well in advance of the December 14, 2026 deadline. We cannot guarantee a spot in the course for you notify our office after the December 14.
Notify debra.heleba@uvm.edu when you receive approval from AmeriCorps before Dec 14 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.
Chapter Scholarships
Bennington Chapter (Open to residents of Bennington County)
Partial scholarships of $250 per person are open to Bennington County residents interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer track) of the 2027 Extension Master Gardener course. Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on December 14, 2026.
This scholarship program is funded and organized by volunteers of the Bennington County Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program.
Northwest Chapter (Open to residents in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties)
Partial scholarship of $250 per person is open to residents of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer track) of the 2027 Extension Master Gardener course. Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on December 14, 2026.
This scholarship program has been funded and organized by volunteers of the Northwest Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program.
Rutland Chapter (Open to residents in Rutland County)
Partial scholarships of $250 per person are open to Rutland County residents interested in pursuing Track 1 (volunteer track) of the 2027 Extension Master Gardener course. Applications are due by no later than 5:00 pm E.T. on December 14, 2026.
This scholarship program has been funded and organized by volunteers of the Rutland County Chapter of the Extension Master Gardener Program.