Vermont has the lowest high school graduation and college continuation rates in New England.
A free, fast-tracked associate degree is a game changer.
“This has been incredibly helpful in starting the whole college journey for someone like me and my family who wouldn’t be able to afford it without the Free Degree Promise.”
—Ellie, first-generation college student Career goal: Mental health counselor
Read about the impacts
Free Degree Promise students are graduating at twice the rate and in half the time as community college students nationally. Over half of this year’s cohort are first-generation college-going.
Since the Free Degree Promise was announced in 2022, CCV has seen:
• A 150% increase in the number of low-income students in the state’s Early College program.
• 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; Career goal: aerospace engineer
The Free Degree Promise Pathway
11TH GRADE
Apply to Early College at CCV
Priority deadline is May 1 of junior year with a final application deadline of early August before senior year.
Graduate from High School
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 ortransfer 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.
“I told myself this could be a life-changing path, a step ahead in the right direction for me.”
—Wyatt; 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
PROMISE STUDENT’ 2024 DEGREE PATHWAYS
3 FACTORS Contributing to Success
A commitment to universal access
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.
Support beyond tuition
The program prioritizes 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 federal and state financial aid, then covers the remaining tuition and fees.
“I struggled in the traditional high school setting, and I didn’t get the best grades. When I made the decision to go to Early College at 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; Career goal: Registered Nurse
Together we can make college and career training the easy choice for young Vermonters furthest from opportunity.
Free Degree Promise students are graduating at twice the rate and in half the time as community college students nationally.
