Free Tuition Vermont
Our Commitment to Vermonters
Our new scholarship program provides multiple paths to affordability, including discounted, free and set tuition for all: Vermont residents, commuters, out-of-state, and international students.
Vermont residents, if your household income is $100,000 or less, tuition will be fully covered after the allocation of Pell and VSAC grants.
To be eligible, you must apply to FAFSA first.
| Total Income Range | Total Grants and Scholarships |
|---|---|
| $100,000* or below | Full Tuition |
| *Assuming typical assets (see FAQ) | |
Additional New Opportunities for Vermonters
- UVM Match: Vermonters whose household makes more than $100,000, pay the same tuition and fees as UVM students, after institutional scholarships.
Learn more about our Flagship Match program - Commuter Commitment: If you commute to campus and do not need room and board, tuition will be $11,500 per year, after institutional scholarships.
In addition to the opportunities listed above, you may also be eligible for college work study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and various loan programs.
Saint Michael’s College Free App Weeks
Apply Free: November 1st鈥15th
Submit your Saint Michael鈥檚 College application today.
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FAQs
Total income includes a family鈥檚 adjusted gross income (AGI) for the federal tax year applicable to each academic year (e.g., 2023 for the 2025-2026 Academic Year). This data is provided to us through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that you will be required to complete every year that you are enrolled at SMC.
Total grants and scholarships include scholarships and grants from Saint Michael鈥檚 College. If you are eligible for Federal Pell Grant and Federal SEOG Grant assistance, these funds will be included in the calculation. Free Tuition Vermont will be the last award applied and will cover any remaining unmet tuition costs.
No. To be considered for Free Tuition Vermont, students who are Vermont residents need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 鈥 FAFSA 鈥 form (by March 1, 2026 for the Fall 2026 enrollment cycle and by May 1st each subsequent year). Once their FAFSA is submitted, they need to submit a Vermont Grant Application through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation 鈥 VSAC. The student is then awarded need-based aid in the form of federal and state grants which are applied toward their college tuition. St. Mike鈥檚 will automatically cover remaining tuition costs after the allocation of Pell and VSAC grants.
Vermont families who continue to meet the total income criteria each year will remain eligible for Free Tuition Vermont. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Vermont Grant Application through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) each year. Students must also maintain an overall GPA of 2.5.
Yes. Free Tuition Vermont is our guarantee to you that at a minimum your tuition costs will be covered. Local and private scholarships can be applied toward comprehensive fees and room and board costs.
No. Graduate students are not eligible for Free Tuition Vermont.
In order to receive the full benefit of the Free Tuition Vermont program you are required to live on campus. Commuters have specific tuition rates that can be covered by need-based aid through federal and state grants, for those eligible. Contact our Student Financial Services team with any questions you have and the will work with you to understand your options.
Yes, the program covers full tuition for a typical courseload of credits during the fall and spring semesters. Exceptions to eligibility include winter intercession, summer courses, and any semester a student is not taking classes at Saint Michael鈥檚 College (i.e. consortium courses at another institution, semester studying abroad, etc.)
Looking for more information?
Financial aid is a personalized process at St. Mike’s. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for here, please call our Financial Aid Office at 802.654.3243.
Media inquiries: Contact Associate Director of Communications Elizabeth Murray at emurray@smcvt.edu.
St. Mike's Flagship Match
There鈥檚 a better way to pay for college and it makes the cost of our private, Catholic education comparable to the cost of public education.