Champlain College announces the Vermont First Scholarships

BURLINGTON, Vt.- Champlain College has created a new, need-based scholarship program that will broaden access to a bachelors degree for Vermonters who are first-generation college students. The Vermont First Scholarships will help those students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Targeted at college-bound high school seniors, applicants must qualify for admission to Champlain College, plan to enroll as a full-time, undergraduate student, and be eligible for the Pell Grant Program. This scholarship, in combination with expected family contribution, federal and state programs to include work-study, student loans, grants and other gift aid, will provide funding for up to the full cost of attendance at Champlain College. The Vermont First Scholarship is renewable for a students four years at Champlain.
"We're pleased to extend this scholarship opportunity to a special population of Vermont students," said Champlain College President David F. Finney. "We know there can be additional barriers for first-generation college students to attend college, and we'd like to break down those barriers."
Finney added, "We're confident that this new scholarship program-along with programs such as the New American Student Scholarship and Single Parents Program provides access to higher education for deserving students who will become highly skilled members of Vermont's workforce and communities."
In its inaugural semester, the New American Student Scholarship currently helps 11 students with refugee or asylum status study at Champlain College. Initiated in 1987, Champlain's Single Parents Program has served more than 500 students through the years and currently enrolls 40 single parents.
Students interested in the Vermont First Scholarships are encouraged to make an appointment with a representative in Champlain's admissions office at 163 South Willard Street in Burlington. The office can be reached at (800) 570-5858 and [email protected]. High school counselors and VSAC counselors are encouraged to forward nominations for the Vermont First Scholarship to the admissions office as well.