Governors Institutes of Vermont asks Senate Education Committee for 3% budget increase to expand access

The Senate Education Committee on March 11 heard from the Governors Institutes of Vermont, an independent nonprofit that runs intensive residential summer programs for high‑school students, which asked the committee to support a 3% increase in state funding—$11,546—to expand access for low‑income participants.

The request, presented by Elizabeth Frascoya, executive director of the Governors Institutes of Vermont, came as the program said it is serving more students post‑pandemic and needs modest additional support to preserve sliding‑scale tuition and transportation assistance. Frascoya told the committee the organization is included in the governor’s proposed budget at “just under $400,000” and asked that lawmakers consider a small increase to offset rising costs.

Why it matters: The Governors Institutes runs one‑ to two‑week residential institutes on Vermont college campuses in topics that include the arts, health and medicine, tech and design, and a new weather and climate science institute. The group said the programs are designed to expose students—many from rural and low‑income backgrounds—to college campuses, career pathways and intensive skill development that they otherwise might not access.

Frascoya described the organization as “an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3)” formed in partnership with the state in the early 1980s and said the program keeps prices low through a sliding scale, private fundraising and state support. She told the committee the FY24 state budget included an increase after 17 years of flat funding and that the current request—3% over the amount in the governor’s budget—amounts to $11,546.

Program size and need: According to presenters, the program expects to serve close to 638 students this year, up from roughly 400 before the COVID‑19 pandemic. Frascoya said 55% of participants last year were “low income or extremely low income,” and that about 85% of students requested some financial assistance. She told senators that the organization spent roughly $600,000 on room and board at Vermont colleges and universities last year and that per‑student program costs approach $3,000.

Funding mix and capacity: Presenters said the current funding mix is roughly 20% state support, about 30–35% tuition (on a sliding scale), and 45–50% private philanthropy and fundraising. Frascoya said the organization has more applications than spots—about 750 applicants—and that additional state funding would allow the nonprofit to hire staff and expand capacity rather than being constrained by staffing.

Student perspectives: Several alumni who attended institutes described outcomes to the committee. Max Goodfellow, a 2024 tech‑and‑design alumnus, said, “I really enjoy computer science, which is something that I wouldn't have known otherwise,” explaining that the short, concentrated programs let students test career interests before college. Another student, speaking about the arts institute, told the committee the program left lasting technical skills and a sense of community.

Committee interaction and next steps: Committee members asked about costs, student recruitment and program reach. Frascoya provided detail about partner campuses (including the University of Vermont, Champlain College, Vermont State University campuses and Norwich University), eligibility outreach through VSAC and guidance counselors, and opportunities for dual‑enrollment credit at four institutes. The presenters left brochures and asked the committee to accept a one‑page follow‑up letter summarizing the request. No formal vote or committee action was taken during the hearing.

The Governors Institutes asked lawmakers to consider the 3% increase to the amount in the governor’s budget to allow continued sliding‑scale tuition, transportation support and modest staff expansion to serve more low‑income students.