Paying for College or Training After High School

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first and most important step on the way to paying for your education. Completing your FAFSA is the only way to qualify for free federal grant money, work-study programs, and the most competitive student loan options. You also must complete the FAFSA to qualify for many scholarships including our state programs run through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). FAFSA opens every year on October 1st for students who intend to take classes in the next academic year (July 1 – June 30). All eligible students are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible even if you think your family makes too much money for you to qualify for assistance. Additionally, a lot of available money is distributed in a first-come, first-served manner so getting it done early is absolutely in your interest. If you do not complete a FAFSA, you are essentially telling colleges and training schools that you are happy to pay the full advertised sticker price, and who really wants to do that??

Need more help completing your FAFSA?

• Watch this instructional video for step-by-step instructions on how to fill out your FAFSA.
• Contact your school counselor, either at BTC or your sending school. BTC’s counseling coordinator, Mr. Yepez, is always willing to schedule time with you and your family to work on your FAFSA.
• VSAC also has multiple ways to help:
  • To get personalized support from professionals at VSAC, FAFSA Filing Drop-In hours are available between October 2022 and January 2023 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00am–3:00 pm at the VSAC building in Winooski. Stop by to work independently on your FAFSA and ask questions to VSAC staff as they arise.
  • Schedule a 1:1 meeting with a VSAC Outreach counselor to receive personalized guidance through the FAFSA. In-person and virtual appointments available between October 2022 and January 2023. Check the Calendar of Events for more details.
  • Have a quick FAFSA question? Call VSAC’s toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).

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Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) helps Vermont students save, plan, and pay for college or career training. Click to access their book of available scholarships here. Here is a list of all VSAC scholarships by BTC program area.

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CCV and the Vermont State Colleges (VSC) are offering millions of dollars in scholarships, free tuition, and other financial aid opportunities for Vermont students in 2023.

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Other Scholarships

• The Media Factory is offering Vermont students the opportunity to apply for the Scott Campitelli Memorial Scholarship. To be eligible, applicants must reside in Vermont, be receiving their high school diploma/GED in 2022, and be pursuing further education in media, film, communications or a related field. Applicants must submit their application materials no later than May 6th, 2022.

• New England Federal Credit Union is offering scholarships for their members. The application for NEFCU’s STEM scholarship is open until April 30th; NEFCU awards three $3,000 scholarships yearly to NEFCU members applying to or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate science program.

• For students applying to or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate science program. Vermont Federal Credit Union is offering four educational scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each for the 2022-2023 school year.

• Lincoln Tech is offering a scholarship test to interested seniors, which could be worth up to $15,000. Lincoln Tech has been training America’s workforce for 75 years, and our career-focused programs will help your students learn the skills they need to put their potential to work. SENIORS: Click here to begin the 20-question/20-minute scholarship test!

• The League of Women Voters is offering the Winona Smith scholarship in the amount of $1,500 this year. These scholarships were established to honor Winona Smith, a long-time member of the League of Women Voters of Vermont, who devoted her energies to ensuring that Vermont students receive the best possible education. The awards are presented to a Vermont resident in his or her senior year of high school who has demonstrated an interest in civic participation and community service, who has a need for financial aid, and who is highly recommended by a teacher.

• For current & prospective BTC students, and for students interested in post-graduate education in the Auto Industry: If you have financial need, TechForce Foundation scholarships and grants can help you on your way to the automotive or motorcycle training program and career of your dreams! Tuition awards and cash grants can fill the gap in paying for your education and in helping you relocate to start school. Once you’ve enrolled to your postsecondary technical school, you are eligible to apply.

• For our auto students, check out this comprehensive list of scholarships related to the auto industry.

• The PB&J Scholarship is for students who have experienced personal challenges that may not have allowed them to perform well academically, but who still have the drive to succeed. Open to all current High School seniors applying to a two or four-year college next year.

• The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society to apply to their scholarships. There are multiple scholarship opportunities, and juniors are encouraged to apply.

• The New England Federal Credit Union invites recognized members who have shown scholastic excellence and who are interested in advancing their nursing education to apply for their Nursing Scholarship program for up to $3,000 in awards.

• The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship is for permanent residents of New England states, with financial need, who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. Follow the link above to read more about this excellent opportunity.

• Chairish offers a scholarship for students from diverse backgrounds, majoring in design-related fields such as architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and engineering fields. Each year, they award up to $5,000 in college scholarships to two deserving students. 

• The Friends for A_Dog Foundation and Burlington Music Dojo have announced the Learning to Fly Program. This program offers a 100% tuition-free scholarship for a music education program. To apply for this scholarship, you must complete phase 1 of the application by October 29th, 2021. More information and the application can be found at their website, linked above.  

• Honoring the legacy and character of our nation’s 40th President, the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program rewards college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with financial assistance to pursue higher education. Each year, the Program selects numerous recipients to receive a $10,000 scholarship renewable for up to an additional three years – up to $40,000 total per recipient. Awards are for undergraduate study and may be used for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, and board. In addition, Scholars are invited to participate in a special awards program and receive ongoing leadership-development support.