Under the UVM Promise, admitted dependent undergraduate students from Vermont who start in the Fall 2025 semester or later, and whose parents' adjusted gross income (AGI) is $100,000 or less with typical assets, can have their Federal, state, and other secured grants and scholarships supplemented by UVM to cover their tuition and comprehensive fee. Beginning in Fall 2027, UVM is expanding eligibility for the UVM Promise by increasing the income threshold from $100,000 to $125,000 for qualifying students. UVM Promise students also receive a waiver for the University acceptance fee.
No separate application is needed for the UVM Promise. Students need simply apply to UVM and apply for financial aid and the VSAC grant.
The UVM Promise is designed to close the financial gap between federal, state, and other available aid and UVM tuition. That's our promise: zero tuition paid by eligible families.
Eligibility
UVM Promise students must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be admitted and enroll at UVM as a dependent undergraduate student (new first year or transfer) beginning in Fall 2024 or later
- File for financial aid by UVM's published priority financial aid deadline
- Parents adjusted gross income (AGI) as reported on the FAFSA for the applicable academic year
- 2024-2025: $75,000 or less with typical assets
- 2025-2026 through 2026-2027: $100,000 or less with typical assets
- 2027-2028 and later: $125,000 or less with typical assets
- Be a Vermont resident
- Apply each academic year for the Vermont State Grant through VSAC
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours during each fall and spring term)
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress towards a degree
Eligibility for the UVM Promise is re-evaluated annually based on parents' Adjusted Gross Income as reported on each year's FAFSA. The FAFSA and the Vermont State Grant application must be submitted annually by UVM's priority financial aid deadline. 4 year tuition and comprehensive fee coverage is not guaranteed.
Students who qualify for UVM's Catamount Commitment Program are not eligible for additional funding under the UVM Promise Program.
Award Details
Federal, State, Institutional Grants & Scholarships, employer tuition benefits, and VA education benefits will all be applied to the UVM Promise.
Tuition and comprehensive fee coverage applies only to fall and spring semesters if eligible, and not to the summer session.
Food and housing charges are not covered under the UVM Promise.
FAQs
Why doesn't the new income threshold apply this year?
Financial aid offers and institutional aid budgets for the current academic year have already been finalized. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the UVM Promise program, the expanded income threshold will take effect beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year.
I currently have a family income above $100,000 but below $125,000. When can I become eligible?
Students whose families have an adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less with typical assets may be eligible for the UVM Promise beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, provided all other program requirements are met.
Will current UVM Promise students lose their benefits?
No. Students currently eligible for the UVM Promise will continue to have their eligibility reviewed annually under the program's updated requirements.
Are there any changes to the UVM Promise besides the income threshold?
No. At this time, the only change being considered is an increase in the household income eligibility threshold to $125,000 beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year.
Disclaimer
Should the availability of federal or state aid be materially altered due to no fault of UVM, the UVM Promise Program may need similarly to be altered. If this occurs, UVM is committed to working with students and families to explore all available options and resources to address any shortfall.