No-Loan Initiative for Vermont Residents
Through the No-Loan Initiative, first-year and transfer students whose families live in Vermont and who are eligible to receive need-based financial aid will receive a financial aid award that will meet 100% of demonstrated need towards their direct costs, including tuition, fees, room, and board.
About the Initiative
Under the No-Loan initiative, eligible Vermont residents can attend Bennington College without student loans. The No-Loan Initiative builds on Bennington’s established merit- and need-based aid programs and its interest in supporting college access and affordability for Vermont residents.
Through this program, first-year and transfer students whose families live in Vermont and who are eligible to receive need-based financial aid will receive a financial aid award that will meet 100% of demonstrated need towards their direct costs, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Beyond the family contribution, as determined by the College, the financial aid package includes a combination of Bennington need-based and merit-scholarships, state and federal grants, as well as student employment eligibility. No federal student loans will be included in the financial aid offer. Students who are eligible for federal student loans may opt to borrow to cover costs related to their family contribution or costs beyond tuition, fees, room, and board.
How to Apply
Interested students can apply for admission through either the Common Application or Bennington’s Dimensional Application, complete FAFSA and CSS Profile financial aid forms, and be admitted to the College.
Eligibility Criteria
All Vermont residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing undergraduate education are eligible. Student eligibility includes those students attending secondary school, or college in the case of transfers, in Vermont or outside the state, as long as the custodial parents/guardians and students themselves are Vermont residents one year prior to enrollment. Vermont residency is defined as the family's primary residence for tax purposes, at least one full year before the student matriculates.
Scholarships, Partnerships, and Resources
Vermont Leaders Scholarship
Bennington awards a Vermont Leaders Scholarship based on the strength of your application and potential to contribute significantly to the Bennington community. This scholarship from Bennington recognizes the opportunity to support talented Vermont students in their pursuit of higher education.This scholarship will be awarded each undergraduate term (up to 8) regardless of changes in financial need. To maintain funding at this level, you must remain in attendance at Bennington, in College housing, on the College's full meal plan, in good academic standing, and not take a leave for more than one year. The Vermont Leaders Scholarship is institutionally funded in part by alumni and other generous donors to the College and is not transferable to other institutions for study abroad.
Governor's Institute Scholarship
Bennington awards a Governor's Institute Scholarship based on the strength of your application and potential to contribute significantly to the Bennington community. This scholarship, funded in part by alumni and other generous donors to the College, honors the memory of Andrea Diehl at GIV. It recognizes and supports students with talent, creativity, and motivation to pursue higher education. This scholarship will be awarded each undergraduate term (up to 8) regardless of changes in financial need. To maintain funding at this level, you must remain in attendance at Bennington, in College housing, on the College's full meal plan, in good academic standing, and not take a leave for more than one year. The Governor's Institute Scholarship is applied to tuition and is not transferable to other institutions for study abroad. Scholarships will replace need-based grants in cases where aid exceeds demonstrated need.
For more information visit Governor’s Institute of Vermont.
Community College of Vermont
Bennington has an articulation agreement with the Community College of Vermont which supports CCV students in transferring to Bennington. The College also offers non-degree-seeking courses to members of the local community; these courses can be an excellent introduction to the Bennington community and the first step towards matriculating at Bennington. Finally, applicants who are residents of Vermont at the time of admission are considered for the Vermont Leaders Scholarship, which provides up to $20,000 in merit aid to qualified students. Scholarships will replace need-based grants in cases where aid exceeds demonstrated need.
Vermont Student Assistance Corp (VSAC)
Created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency, the Vermont Student Assistance Corp (VSAC) advocates for students and their families to ensure that they have the information, the counseling, and the financial aid to achieve their education goals.
State Grants, Scholarships, and Loans: