📲 Join our WhatsApp for Daily Fully Funded Scholarship Alerts
| Quick Summary Metric | Official Details |
| Award Name | Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship (Chafee ETV) |
| Host Sponsor / Organization | Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) & State of Vermont DCF |
| Eligible Nationalities | US Citizens & FAFSA-Eligible Non-Citizens (Vermont Residents) |
| Target Student Level | High School Senior / Undergraduate / Vocational-Technical Students |
| Financial Coverage | Up to $5,000 per year (Max 5 total years of funding) |
| Minimum GPA Requirement | Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) per host institution (No fixed statewide cutoff) |
| Application Deadline | February 12 (Annual) |
| Official Website | Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) |
Overview & Value
The Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship (commonly referred to as the Chafee ETV Grant) is a pivotal state and federal aid program created to support young adults who have experienced the foster care system. Administered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) in partnership with the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), this scholarship provides financial aid to help former foster youth complete higher education and job training programs.
For undergraduate students and technical trade candidates, this award offers up to $5,000 per academic year. The voucher can be applied directly toward a student’s total cost of attendance—including tuition, campus room and board, meal plans, textbooks, personal living expenses, and transportation—allowing recipients to pursue post-secondary goals with significantly reduced financial debt.
MUST READ:
- Jean Andrews Nursing Scholarship Application Guide
- Franklin H. Isham Memorial Scholarship Application Guide
- Carol A. Hurley Memorial Scholarship Application Guide
Nationality & Residency Requirements
To fulfill the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship US citizen requirements and geographic mandates, candidates must satisfy targeted state and federal guidelines:
- State Residency: Applicants must maintain legal, bona fide residence in the State of Vermont.
- Citizenship & Immigration Status: Candidates must be U.S. Citizens or FAFSA-eligible non-citizens (such as Lawful Permanent Residents or green card holders).
- International Student Requirements: Non-immigrant visa holders, international exchange students, and foreign nationals without eligible non-citizen status are ineligible for federal Chafee grant funds.
Academic & GPA Eligibility Requirements
Reviewing your qualifications for the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship eligibility for undergraduate students requires satisfying specific age, custody, and enrollment criteria:
- Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship GPA Requirement: VSAC enforces no fixed cumulative entrance GPA threshold. Instead, recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by their enrolled post-secondary institution to retain funding.
- DCF Custody Experience Requirements: Candidates must have been in the custody of the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) after reaching the age of 14. If a student exited foster care to legal guardianship or adoption, they must have been in DCF custody after the age of 16.
- Age Limitation: Applicants must be under 26 years of age at the time of application.
- Institutional Approval: Candidates must be enrolled or planning to enroll at least half-time in an accredited college, university, or trade school approved for federal Title IV financial aid in the U.S. or Canada.
- 5-Year Lifetime Maximum & Extended Funding Limit (Crucial Unspoken Condition): While many general VSAC state grants can be renewed throughout a degree program without strict year caps, the Chafee ETV operates under a rigid federal lifetime cap. A recipient can claim the award for a maximum of 5 total academic years before reaching their 26th birthday. Once a student hits either the 5-year limit or their 26th birthday, eligibility terminates permanently regardless of degree completion status.
Application Materials Needed
Completing your packet prior to the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship application deadline requires compiling and submitting these core components through the MyVSAC portal:
- VSAC Unified Scholarship Application (USA): Completed and submitted online through the official MyVSAC student web portal.
- FAFSA Submission: A current Free Application for Federal Student Aid on file to verify Student Aid Index (SAI) and total financial need.
- DCF Custody Verification: Consent permitting VSAC to verify past or present DCF foster care custody history with the State of Vermont.
- Official Academic Transcripts: Proof of continuous enrollment or recent secondary/post-secondary progress.
- Personal Essay Exemption: Unlike most competitive merit awards administered by VSAC, no personal essay or recommendation letters are required for this grant.
Step-by-Step How to Apply
Follow these sequential steps to ensure your submission is finalized on time:
- Access the MyVSAC Portal: Register or log into your account at
vsac.orgwhen the annual portal opens in October. - File the FAFSA: Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid at
studentaid.govto document financial need. - Select the Award: Navigate to the Unified Scholarship Application section and check the box for the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship.
- Authorize DCF Verification: Provide required details to allow VSAC to cross-reference your DCF foster care custody records.
- Submit Prior to February 12th: Ensure all application forms and academic transcripts are submitted before the annual February 12th deadline.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
- Brigham Young University Sterling Scholarship Application Guide
- Federation of Houston Professional Women Educational Foundation Scholarship Application Guide (USA)
- Victoria Merchant Saygbay Lifting Individuals Through Education Scholarship Application Guide (USA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship?
No, applicants must be U.S. citizens or FAFSA-eligible non-citizens who maintain legal Vermont state residency, meet DCF foster care custody parameters, and attend an accredited Title IV-approved post-secondary institution.
Is the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship renewable for all 4 years of undergraduate study?
Yes, the award can be renewed annually, provided the recipient satisfies Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship renewal requirements—including maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), remaining under age 26, submitting the VSAC application annually, and staying within the 5-year lifetime cap for Chafee voucher funding.
What is the minimum GPA required to qualify for the Vermont John H. Chafee Education and Training Scholarship?
There is no fixed entry GPA cut-off required to apply for this scholarship. Recipients must simply maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) GPA standard set by their chosen college or trade school to remain in good standing.
For more local grants, merit awards, and regional funding across all 50 states, check out our master USA State Scholarships Directory.
Join our WhatsApp Channel for the latest scholarship updates to receive instant alerts on upcoming application deadlines, merit awards, and college financial aid tips.