Legislators at the state and federal level have demonstrated their support of our mission to provide accessible, affordable higher education in Vermont.
At the state level, Governor Phil Scott included significant funding recommendations for the VSCS in his 2024 Budget proposal, including:
• $48 million annual appropriation (an increase of $2.5 million)
• $10 million in one-time funding to address capital transformation needs
• $9 million in one-time bridge funding to help the system continue addressing the structural deficit as outlined in the Select Committee report
• $10 million in one-time funding to pilot a two-year tuition reduction at Community College of Vermont for students enrolled in specific programs relevant to Vermont business and industry needs
The Governor’s proposal fulfills the Select Committee’s recommended increase to the VSC base appropriation, provides the bridge funding needed for FY24, gives significant funds for Capital transformation, and includes support for a workforce development pilot at CCV.
The VSC received additional support from the FY2023 federal budget, signed into law in December 2022. This is in the form of Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Projects, totaling $8,088,000 earmarked specifically for the VSC. The projects include:
• $6.3 million to support the expansion of nursing education infrastructure
• $850,000 to support semiconductor technician apprenticeship in partnership with Global Foundries
• $188,000 to support the full or partial removal of the Glen Brook Dam on the Castleton University campus
• $750,000 to support energy efficiency renovations of the Alexander Twilight Theater at the NVU-Lyndon campus