VERMONT’S
FreeDegree Promise
offers a debt-free associate degree through the state’s Early College program at the Community College of Vermont (CCV).
Vermont has the lowest high school graduation and college continuation rates in New England.
A free, fast-tracked associate degree is a game changer.
“Without this program, I probably wouldn’t have pursued college at all—and now I’m going for my bachelor’s at VTSU.” —ARIN | WHITE RIVER JCT. | CAREER GOAL: HIGH SCHOOL ART TEACHER
Read about the impacts
Free Degree Promise students are graduating at twice the rate and in half the time as community college students nationally.
Since the Free Degree Promise was announced in 2022, CCV has seen: • Triple the number of low-income students are accessing Early College at CCV. • Triple the number of Early College completers are continuing their near-full time enrollment at CCV.
“CCV doesn’t really have a downside to it. I was able to work full-time at a restaurant, as well as taking classes from home. I wasn’t going to continue after the first year, but I really enjoyed the classes, I was getting good grades, and I was making good money because I could work all the time—and I could get my associate degree when I was 18. So that’s what made me stick with it for a second year.” —ATTICUS | MIDDLEBURY | CAREER GOAL: MECHANICAL ENGINEER
The Free Degree Promise Pathway 11TH GRADE
Apply to Early
College at CCV
Graduate from High School
Priority deadline is May 1 of junior year with a final application deadline of early August before senior year.
With a successful Early College year, students graduate from their home high school with a year of college completed.
High school seniors complete their last year of high school and their first year of college at the same time.
Graduate with debt-free Associate Degree Upon completion of the Promise, students have a debt-free degree aligned with a labor market need and are prepared to enter the workforce or transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.
Students who successfully complete Early College at CCV with 20+ credits can continue on the Free Degree Promise pathway and receive up to five debt-free semesters plus living stipends and enhanced advising.
CCV degrees align with Vermont’s labor market needs 10-Year Projected Openings
“I told myself this could be a life-changing path, a step ahead in the right direction for me.” —WYATT | EAST FAIRFIELD |CAREER GOAL: CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
As defined by the VT Department of Labor and McClure Foundation’s Most Promising Vermont Jobs resource. CCV degrees listed here are aligned with the bachelor’s degrees required to obtain some featured occupations. Median Wage (hourly/yearly)
Degree
JUNE 2025 GRADUATES
25% 14% 17% 11% 7%
Health Care & Behavioral Science Business STEM, Environmental Science, and IT Design & Media Studies Education Childhood Education
3 FACTORS
Contributing to Success
1 2
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A commitment to universality
In a state with lots of narrowly scoped scholarships, easily understood, debt-free pathways available to everybody have the power to transform public perception that college is within reach. Students can choose any degree program offered by CCV.
Support beyond tuition
The program provides enhanced career and education advising as well as stipends to help with books, transportation, and other costs associated with going to college.
Leveraging public funding
The Free Degree Promise braids together federal Pell grants, the Vermont State Grant, the newly expanded 802 Opportunity Grant, the state’s Early College program and McClure Foundation funding to create highly focused, accelerated, and supportive pathways for young people.
“I struggled in the traditional high school setting, and I didn’t get the best grades. When I made the decision to go to CCV, it was amazing. I was on the Dean’s list studying health sciences. Now that I have my associate degree from CCV, I am on track to get my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at VTSU.” —ABBIE | BARRE | CAREER GOAL: PEDIATRIC NURSE
Together
we can make college and career training the easy choice for young Vermonters furthest from opportunity.
In June ’25, CCV graduated its largest cohort of teenagers ever from across the state. Most were just one year out of high school and half were first-generation college-going.