Education (Higher Education) in Vermont

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 273: An act relating to the provision of State-funded education in school districts that do not maintain an elementary school or a high school

This bill requires school districts without their own elementary or high schools to designate up to three eligible schools to serve as their public schools. Eligible schools include Vermont public schools, out-of-state public schools, or recognized independent schools meeting specific criteria (e.g., regional career training centers or historically designated schools). It repeals the "approved independent school" definition and process while maintaining the "recognized independent school" enrollment system, and adds a new definition for "therapeutic schools" with related special education tuition changes. The bill directly affects small school districts lacking their own K-12 facilities, altering how they access state education funding for student placements.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Special Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 11, 2025

H 173: An act relating to granting public higher education employees the right to strike

H 173 would amend Vermont law to grant employees at public colleges and universities (including the Vermont State Colleges and University of Vermont) the right to strike, removing their current exemption from the general prohibition on state employee strikes. The bill specifically changes Section 903 to eliminate the existing exception and updates Section 962 to clarify that encouraging strikes by these employees is not an unfair labor practice. This change applies only to public higher education employees, not all state workers, and would take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects faculty, staff, and other employees at Vermont's public higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining Public Employees

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 20, 2025

H 297: An act relating to the creation of the Free Degree Promise Grant Program for the Community College of Vermont

H.297 creates the Free Degree Promise Grant Program to provide free associate’s degrees at Vermont’s Community College of Vermont (CCV) for eligible students. It directly affects Vermont students who completed CCV’s Early College program (earning 20+ credits), require full-time enrollment (12+ credits), and meet income thresholds. The program covers remaining tuition/fees after other aid and provides $500-$1,000 per semester for books/supplies based on household income, with support for up to five semesters or degree completion. This aims to address equity gaps in college access, particularly for low-income, first-generation, and historically underserved students.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 68: An act relating to expanding the National Guard Tuition Benefit Program

H 68 expands Vermont's National Guard Tuition Benefit Program to cover graduate degrees and second bachelor's degrees, directly affecting Vermont National Guard members who meet eligibility criteria. The bill allows members to receive tuition benefits for graduate studies or a second undergraduate degree, provided they haven't previously used the program for an undergraduate degree. Key provisions include requiring a two-year service commitment for each year of tuition benefit received and mandating repayment if members leave service early or fail to complete their degree while employed in Vermont. This update extends existing coverage beyond undergraduate programs without altering the core structure of the benefit program.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 9, 2025

H 15: An act relating to assistance for room and board at a Vermont postsecondary school for students served by foster or kinship care

H 15 provides financial assistance for room and board expenses at Vermont's residential postsecondary schools to eligible young adults who were in foster care or under kinship care. It directly affects youth who were under the Commissioner for Children and Families' custody for at least six months between ages 16-18, or who had kinship care guardianship with kinship assistance during that period. The bill funds specific room and board costs for these students pursuing higher education in Vermont, without covering tuition or other expenses.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2025

H 249: An act relating to an income tax deduction for home study programs

This bill creates a $1,000 income tax deduction for Vermont taxpayers who cover qualified home study program expenses for their dependent children. It directly affects parents or guardians who educate their dependents through home study programs (as defined under Vermont law), provided the child is not claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer. The deduction covers costs like educational materials, equipment, and software required for home study, but does not include full tuition. The provision applies retroactively to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 198: An act relating to the reconstitution of the University of Vermont Board of Trustees

H 198 increases the University of Vermont Board of Trustees from 25 to 27 members by adding one voting faculty member (elected by the faculty) and one voting staff member (appointed with broad representation). It also requires that the two student trustee positions be filled by one full-time undergraduate student and one full-time graduate student, specifying their eligibility and term structure. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, with new appointments needed by July 31, 2025. This bill directly affects the governance of the University of Vermont by expanding representation from faculty, staff, and students on the board.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2025

H 234: An act relating to determining the appropriateness of a collective bargaining unit for adjunct faculty

This bill changes when adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont and Vermont State Colleges can join a union bargaining unit. It requires the Labor Relations Board to allow adjuncts to be included in a bargaining unit starting on either the effective date of their employment contract or their first teaching day - whichever comes first. This makes it easier for new adjunct faculty to gain union eligibility immediately upon starting their role. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

introduced · Vermont · Senate Mar 21, 2025

S 130: An act relating to expanding the National Guard Tuition Benefit Program

S 130 expands Vermont's National Guard Tuition Benefit Program to cover graduate degrees and second bachelor's degrees for eligible members. It directly affects Vermont National Guard members pursuing these advanced credentials at Vermont institutions or approved non-Vermont schools with no Vermont equivalent. Key provisions require members to complete a two-year service commitment for each year of benefit received, with repayment required if they fail to fulfill this commitment or leave the Guard without good cause. The program continues to cover in-state tuition rates at Vermont schools and maintains existing eligibility requirements like academic progress and prior use of federal military education benefits.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2025

H 246: An act relating to supports to help students experiencing homelessness and students exiting the foster care system succeed in postsecondary educational institutions

H 246 requires all postsecondary schools in Vermont to designate a Student Liaison Officer to assist students experiencing homelessness and those exiting the foster care system with financial aid, housing, and academic resources. Schools must implement policies providing these students priority access to class enrollment, on-campus housing (with a half-time enrollment requirement), and housing during breaks. The bill also mandates fee waivers for registration and laboratory costs for eligible students. These requirements will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Homelessness

All education bills