Special Programs

Vermont State Colleges Statewide Dual Enrollment Program

The VSC Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to earn college credit while still in high school or the summer after they graduate. Successful high school students have earned anywhere from 3 to 18 college credits—reducing the time it takes to get a college degree, reducing the costs associated with college, and challenging themselves through college-level curriculum.

There are many pathways for high school students to get a head start on college…

Introduction to College Studies is a 26-hour course designed to help students develop strategies for college success. Introduction to College Studies is offered at all 12 Community College of Vermont sites every fall and spring semester, at selected CCV sites during the summer and at other VSC colleges on a variable basis. With support from the Gear-Up Statewide Initiative, these courses are offered tuition free to all Vermont high school students.

Students who have successfully completed Introduction to College Studies can apply for a VSC Dual Enrollment Voucher to take a course at any of the five Vermont State Colleges-- Castleton State College, Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College and Vermont Technical College, tuition free while they are still in high school or the summer after they graduate. This voucher can be used at selected Vermont colleges outside the Vermont State Colleges through a statewide partnership agreement supported by the State of Vermont's Next Generation Initiative.

Students who enroll in selected programs at their local Career/ Technical Center may also earn college credit tuition free through the Fast Forward Program. Each of the 17 Vermont Technical or Comprehensive High Schools currently have dual enrollment agreements in place or are working on future agreements. Students may also be eligible for a Fast Forward Ticket to offset administrative charges for receiving college credit. For a listing of Career/Technical Centers in the state and more information on the career pathways available, visit the Fast Forward website at http://fastforward.vsc.edu/

Dual Enrollment Accelerated Programs for High School Students are designed for high school seniors who are academically prepared to enroll in a college-level course and could benefit from that experience. With support from the Gear-Up Statewide Initiative and Vermont’s Next Generation Initiative, these courses are offered tuition free to qualified Vermont high school students to take college courses while they are still in high school or the summer after they graduate.

Vermont Technical Colleges hosts the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), a full-year alternative to the senior year of high school for motivated high school seniors and home-schooled students who have a successful academic record and strong interest in math, science and technology. VAST students take standard college courses at VTC to complete the senior year of high school and the freshman year of college simultaneously—tuition free. VAST is recognized as an independent high school with the authority to grant diplomas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Learn more about VSC programs for high school students at these websites:

Castleton State College's Accelerated Enrollment Program for High School Students

Community College of Vermont's offerings for high school students

Johnson State College's Jump Start Program
Lyndon State College's offerings for high school students

Vermont Technical College's Secondary School Articulation Agreement

High school students who are interested in taking courses at the Vermont State Colleges should contact their guidance counselor or the VSC representative listed below:

Maurice Ouimet, Castleton - 802-468-1352
Natalie Searle, Community College of Vermont - 802-885-8369 (or call the CCV site nearest you)
Penny Howrigan, Johnson - 802-635-2356 (toll free)
Bernard Hartshorn, Lyndon - 802-626-6499
Amy Ferris, Vermont Tech - 866-282-9082 (toll free)

High school students who are interested in taking courses through the Next Generation Initiative outside the VSC should contact their guidance counselor or the contacts below:

Champlain College - Diane Byrnes - 802-865-6419
New England Culinary Institute - Peg Cecchi - 773-387-9995
University of Vermont - Beth Taylor-Nolan - 802-656-4358

VSC Valedictorian/Salutatorian Tuition Waiver

AWARD: covers tuition charges
Available to valedictorians and salutatorians of any Vermont public or independent high school (must be approved by the Vermont State Board of Education). To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a degree program and take a minimum of six credits per semester until the associate's or bachelor's degree is completed. Recipients are responsible for fees and room and board charges.
Info: Click Here for complete guidelines.

The Point, VSC, Milne Travel American Express Community Service Scholarship

AWARD: $5,000
The scholarship will be given to one Vermont student with a strong commitment to community service. The scholarship is provided through a partnership with The Point Radio Network. Application deadline is April 4, 2008 for 2008-09 academic year.
Info: Click Here to download the application.

TRIO Programs

The term “TRIO” refers to a collection of eight federal programs authorized by Congress to provide support to student populations typically underserved by post-secondary education. Money is granted to colleges who submit successful applications to fund support and enrichment activities for a specific number of students who fall into one or more of the following categories:
- be from a family where neither parent completed a four-year bachelor’s degree;
- be from a low income background;
- have a documented disability.
WEBSITE: Click Here for more information.