🎓 University of Vermont Scholarships & Merit Aid (2025–2026)
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- Sticker price vs. what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit (e.g., Presidential, Trustee) and competitive awards
- Green & Gold full-COA scholarship highlights
- NEBHE tuition break for select majors
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~65% (Fall 2024)
- Middle 50% GPA: Not officially published
- Middle 50% SAT: 1220–1410
- Middle 50% ACT: 27–32
- Testing Policy: Test-optional (continues for Fall 2026)
Source: UVM Common Data Set 2024–25; UVM Admissions/Test-Optional communications.
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University of Vermont at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025
The University of Vermont (UVM) pairs a classic New England campus with generous merit aid — especially for strong out-of-state students. Automatic scholarships like the Presidential and Trustee awards are common, and competitive options such as Green & Gold can cover the full cost of attendance.
New England residents in eligible majors may also qualify for the NEBHE Tuition Break, which reduces nonresident tuition. Stack that with UVM merit and need-based aid, and the net price can rival many in-state options.
FAQ
Does UVM offer automatic merit scholarships? Yes — automatic consideration for awards like Presidential and Trustee; top candidates can compete for Green & Gold.
What’s the average net price? About $20,860 per year after grants and scholarships (latest federal data).
Does UVM participate in regional tuition discounts? Yes — the NEBHE Tuition Break covers select programs for New England residents.
Is UVM test-optional? Yes — the policy continues for Fall 2026; strong coursework and GPA carry the most weight for merit.
💰 Cost of Attendance at UVM (2025–2026)
The sticker price for the University of Vermont can look steep for out-of-state families. But UVM offers automatic merit scholarships and participates in regional tuition exchange programs that can substantially reduce costs—especially for students from nearby New England states.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $19,514 | $47,554 |
| Housing & Meals | $14,256 | $14,256 |
| Estimated Annual Total (before aid) | $33,770 | $61,810 |
Note: These figures reflect the latest official UVM estimates (2024–25) and will be updated if the university posts revised 2025–26 amounts. Books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses (often $2,500–$3,000/year) are not included above.
Federal data shows the average net price at UVM is about $20,860 per year after grants and scholarships.
🌎 Out-of-State Tuition Savings
- UVM automatically awards $5,000–$20,000 per year in merit aid to strong applicants.
- Students from New England states may qualify for NEBHE Tuition Break savings for select majors.
- These discounts can stack, often bringing out-of-state tuition closer to in-state levels.
Sources: https://www.uvm.edu/studentfinancialservices/costs-attending • https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?231174-University-of-Vermont • https://www.uvm.edu/registrar/tuition-break-policy
📘 Automatic Scholarships at UVM (2025–2026)
UVM awards generous merit scholarships to out-of-state students automatically based on your weighted high school GPA—no separate application and no test scores required. Awards are renewable for up to four years if you maintain a 3.0+ GPA and enroll full time. Award amounts are for 2025–2026.
No test scores are required for the major merit scholarships or for the Honors College. UVM will superscore (pick the best combination of section scores) if you do submit SAT or ACT, but scores only help with some specialty scholarships. GPA and course rigor are what count most for automatic merit.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (Weighted GPA) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | $18,000–$25,000/year | 3.95+ GPA (weighted) | No | Yes (min 3.0 GPA, 12+ credits/term) | Top out-of-state academic applicants | Auto with admission |
| Trustees Scholarship | $18,000/year | 3.80–3.94 GPA | No | Yes | Very strong academic record, OOS | Auto with admission |
| Dean’s Scholarship | $15,000/year | 3.60–3.79 GPA | No | Yes | Solid and well-prepared OOS students | Auto with admission |
| Achiever Scholarship | $12,000/year | 3.40–3.59 GPA | No | Yes | Most solid B+/A- OOS students | Auto with admission |
UVM uses your weighted GPA as reported on your high school transcript, which can include honors/AP points. They do not recalculate GPA themselves.
No. UVM is test-optional for admission, automatic merit, and the Honors College. Your GPA is what counts. Test scores may only factor into a few specialty or competitive awards requiring a separate application.
Not typically. The listed automatic scholarships are mainly for out-of-state students. Vermont residents are usually offered separate aid and scholarship programs through UVM and the state.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships at UVM
UVM offers a handful of competitive scholarships for top applicants. These awards often require an extra essay or nomination, and may take test scores into account if submitted—though most are still test-optional. Special consideration is given to Vermont residents for some of these named scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green & Gold Scholarship | Full tuition (in-state rate) | Top student at each Vermont high school (senior class) | By nomination | Yes | One senior per VT high school (academically top-ranked, selected by guidance) | Spring (school counselor nomination) |
| Patrick Family Scholarship | $5,000–$7,000/year | Vermont resident; high GPA; leadership, community impact | Yes | Yes | VT students with 3.8+ GPA and strong extracurricular record | January (competitive app) |
| UVM Honors College Invitation | Stackable with automatic merit; special academic benefits | Top 5–10% of admitted students; 3.9+ weighted GPA, advanced coursework, strong essays | No (invitation only) | Yes | Applicants with exceptional academics and curiosity-driven essays | Auto with application |
Most competitive scholarships at UVM are still test-optional. Submitting strong ACT or SAT scores may help in close decisions or for certain select opportunities. If you submit, UVM uses your superscore.
Yes, but many named awards, such as Green & Gold or Patrick Family, are reserved for Vermont residents. Out-of-state students are typically considered for merit and Honors College invites.
In many cases, yes. An Honors College invitation or certain named scholarships can be stacked with your automatic merit offer. Always check your official aid package for the final answer in your case.
🎓 UVM Honors College
UVM’s Honors College provides a close-knit academic environment with small, seminar-style classes, priority course registration, honors housing, and access to research and faculty mentorship across all majors.
All applicants are automatically considered for the Honors College—there’s no extra application or required test scores (though optional scores may be submitted if they strengthen your profile).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Invitation Criteria | Top 5–10% of admitted students—typically GPA 3.9+ (weighted), AP/IB/dual courses, strong essay |
| Separate Application? | No—reviewed automatically via admissions |
| Test Scores Required? | No—Honors selection is test-optional |
| Scholarships Included? | No direct Honors College scholarship; most invitees also win top UVM merit awards |
| Housing | Honors living/learning in Central Campus Hall (first year guaranteed for Honors) |
No—UVM automatically reviews all applicants for Honors invitations; no separate application or essay is required.
Those with a 3.9+ weighted GPA, rigorous course load (AP, IB, dual), and a thoughtful essay. UVM looks for evidence of academic curiosity, not just raw numbers.
Not meaningfully. Honors housing is in new, centrally located halls that include study spaces and strong community support, but you pay regular room and board based on your residence.
Yes—most Honors invitees also receive UVM’s top automatic merit awards (Presidential/Trustees) and may also qualify for donor, departmental, or outside scholarships.