VSAC asks House committee for expanded loan-forgiveness and scholarships to retain Vermont workers

Vermont Student Assistance (VSAC) officials told the Vermont House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on Feb. 18 that they are seeking expanded state funding for several workforce-focused education programs, including a proposal to extend a tuition-covering scholarship to Vermont State University and requests to replenish multiple forgivable-loan programs for teachers and mental-health professionals.

The budget request centers on a 3.6% increase to VSAC's base funding in the governor's budget, VSAC Chief Operating Officer Patrick LeDuc told the committee. "That is largely focused on trying to increase the 802 Opportunity Program from a $150,000 household income to a $100,000 household income," LeDuc said, describing that program as a layered, means-tested benefit that sits on top of VSAC's grant programs.

VSAC also proposed the Freedom & Unity Scholarship, modeled on the 802 Opportunity Program, to cover tuition and fees for eligible students at Vermont State University. "The Freedom and Unity scholarship proposal is to model that same program for Vermont State University," LeDuc said, adding VSAC provided budget scenarios targeting a $75,000 household income and a higher $100,000 threshold as options for a pilot or larger rollout.

Why it matters: Committee members repeatedly framed the requests as investments in retaining teachers, nurses, mental-health clinicians and…