Education (Student Financial Aid)

H.799 creates the Free Degree Promise Program to provide tuition-free associate's degrees at Vermont's Community College of Vermont (CCV) for eligible high school graduates. It directly affects Vermont students who complete CCV's Early College program (earning 20+ credits) and submit financial aid applications. The program covers tuition/fees after other aid, provides stipends for books and transportation, and includes career advising. Funding comes annually from the Vermont Education Endowment Trust Fund (5% of assets), with the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation designated as a recipient. This codifies an existing initiative to reduce student debt and expand access to postsecondary education.

This bill creates a process for Vermont's Governor to maintain an annual list of scholarship organizations eligible for a federal tax credit. It directly affects Vermont taxpayers who donate to qualifying organizations and the scholarship organizations themselves. To be listed, organizations must be nonprofits focused on underprivileged students, provide scholarships only to students at public or eligible private schools, and meet federal criteria. The Governor must submit the list to the U.S. Treasury by December 1 each year, with a presumption that previously listed organizations remain eligible unless the Governor finds noncompliance. This enables Vermont taxpayers to claim the federal qualified education scholarship tax credit (26 U.S.C. § 25F) for donations to these organizations.

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.