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Community College of Vermont says Pell, federal funds and new approvals underpin prison classes
Summary
CCV told lawmakers it serves more than 100 incarcerated students each semester using Second Chance Pell and a $4.5 million congressional allocation; the college is adding manufacturing approvals and simulators to expand career pathways.
The Community College of Vermont told a joint House hearing that its corrections education program, built with corrections and Department of Labor partners, has grown since a 2018 pilot and restarted after COVID. CCV President Joyce Judy said the college secured a Second Chance Pell designation and a $4.5 million congressionally directed award championed by Senator Sanders that provided a runway for program design and expansion.
"Pell grants help cover tuition for the majority of students who are incarcerated," CCV said. The college reported it is serving between 100 and 150 incarcerated students per semester across four facilities (about 10% of the state incarcerated population) and has begun limited computer access and a secure Canvas environment for incarcerated learners.
CCV said it recently obtained three additional US Department of Education program approvals (PEPs) including manufacturing and purchased SkillBoss simulators to teach CAD and welding virtually. The college plans manufacturing coursework to begin in the fall at its Northern facility and emphasized a dual track that also offers education to DOC staff and family members to smooth relationships and retention.
CCV and DOC staff acknowledged the program faces constraints: limited classroom and workshop space in older facilities, staff shortages that make scheduling classes difficult, and the challenge of students being moved mid‑semester — CCV reported a small number of students were moved out of state mid‑term and said it will coordinate withdrawals or hold students harmless academically.
CCV said it expects to learn within a couple of months whether a pending national foundation grant will provide longer‑term funding to scale transition and reentry supports. The college asked legislative committees to continue coordination and offered to supply requested enrollment and transfer data.
