<p>The governor of Vermont is trying to pass a new scholarship program, which puzzles me. Im curious what CCers think of it and Id like some feedback on college costs.</p>
<p>The program would pay up to 1,000 students a maximum of $5,000 a year to attend college in Vermont. Its only for Vermonters, based on financial need (not merit). The governor says college is expensive, and this will lower costs. And hes worried about all the students leaving Vermont both for college, and after college. He thinks this scholarship will keep students in state.
The scholarship would require that students remain in Vermont and work in the state for several years - or the grant would become a loan that must be repaid.</p>
<p>I think many students leave the state for college because they want to live somewhere else (Vermont has no urban areas, for example, and it is cold here). </p>
<p>Since some Vermont colleges have lower costs for instate residents UVM costs about $20,000 for a Vermonter and the state colleges cost in the $15,000 range (thats tuition, room and board) are there many out-of-state colleges that would cost less than that? Its hard to imagine many students flocking out of Vermont because theyve found cheaper deals out of state.</p>
<p>Based on all of your expertise are there many cheaper colleges out of Vermont? What do you think of this scholarship plan? Are there similar ones in your states?</p>
<p>This is an incentive type of scholarship - but yes - it is limited for need rather than merit - which for many in Vermont is very much needed. BUT - seeing as Vermont also has one of highest in-state tuitions in the country - YES - students DO seek opportunities elsewhere - and for many reasons - including financial. The in-state tuition is NO bargain for Vermonters - better bargains can be found elsewhere - in North Carolina for example - plus it is warmer in NC too.</p>
<p>And then there is the adage - the grass is always greener.......... but for students in Vermont - it really can be.</p>
<p>My first experience for school had a program similar to what you are talking about - many years ago tho. State employees could attend this particular school full time - work 8 hours a week and keep their weekly salary and benefits - BUT.........they had to ''pay-back'' 18 months of employment to the state for each year of school - so state employees had to remain in a state position for 3 years.</p>
<p>Having also graduated from a Vermont college - which I attended also years ago - as an in-state resident - tho I was not a resident - but the school had a program that my state did NOT have - so....... I was able to utilize an agreement that allowed me to go to school in Vermont as an in-state resident.</p>
<p>Many kids want to leave Vermont for broader horizens - there is very limited potential in many fields in Vermont. The life-style in VT that appeals to many of us on a temporary basis - is not what kids want to live - they want more - and VT just has limitations that tend to push many college folks away. I agree that VT needs to do something to keep people there - an incentive may help - but I have my doubts that it will succeed in making much of a difference.</p>
<p>In-state tuition in Vermont is expensive compared to other instate tuitions. In looking briefly at NC costs, the out-of-state tuition doesn't seem that much less, though, especially given the travel expenses.</p>
<p>Since VT and MA are in the top 5 for high in-state tuitions in the country - NC tuitions can actually be a good bargain - also depending on which NC school one is considering. UNC-CH being the highest - with all other NC state schools decreasing from there. Cost of living in NC is also less than in VT/MA in many respects. </p>
<p>For what expenses are to go to school in NC - vs MA or VT - including travel expenses - it would still come out to less - when all added up - than it would be to attend MA or VT flagship U. We did crunch the numbers for the annual 'student budget' and still find NC wins - by a small margain - but still came out on top.</p>
<p>In all honesty - my 2cents - I really think that VT and MA need to really take a good look at the costs to attend - maybe even take a look at how other state college/Univ are 'put together' financially - and restructure. Costs to attend these 2 states U's are off the charts - and far out of reach for many of their own residents.</p>
<p>An interesting proposal -- and possibly a good incentive to keep people in the state.</p>
<p>I am wondering if they offered in-state tuition and the scholarship to all kids (not just in-state ones) with the same type of stipulations if that would attract more people?</p>
<p>My assumption is that they are trying not to lose their population, but many kids who grew up there are probably dying to leave the state. they might have better luck attracting kids that are not from vermont that think that it would be a great place to go to school, work and raise a family.</p>
<p>I must be missing something here, because I checked out UNC prices, and they ranged this year from a low of $17,155 to a high of $24,911. UVM this year was about $19,000 instate -- yes that's high, but not that much higher than the lowest UNC price, and once you throw in traveling, the difference is minor. </p>
<p>JeepMom, you say that Vermont and Mass. prices are out of reach for their own residents. I'm still trying to figure out what colleges are considerably cheaper.</p>
<p>Some Southern schools offer in-state tuition to highly desired candidates. The in-state in the South is generally a bargain. My D will be doing this as our state school ( Penn State) is one of the most expensive for in-state as well.</p>
<p>SLY_Vt - which NC schools are you looking at?? In-state or OOS costs?? UNC-CH is still in the expensive range for OOS - ~~$30,000/year total - where my DD goes - 2nd largest school in NC - tuition & fees - are about $14,000 - after freshman year - we opted out of the dorms - is actually much cheaper - added a commuter meal plan - a student parking sticker - pretty good shuttle system, etc..... and still come in under $20,000.</p>
<p>This may not be considered a bargain for kids from VT - tho UVM will run about $20,000 at the very least - it does open up alot of options to consider - for same/similar costs to attend. And yes - I agree with PA MOM - especially in the SC schools - that there are very good opportunities to utilize in-state tuition status for good candidates - which alot of kids from the nor'east do consider.</p>
<p>When I look at IN-STATE tuitions in other states - example NC - yes MA and VT - for IN-STATE are hitting a ceiling of being out or reach. All NC students are subsidized by about $8400 each year - which does keep the cost to it's residents very low - compared to VT/MA which has little incentive to do so. The OOS tuition comparisons are similar - what one pays OOS in NC is FAR below what an OOS would pay at UVM or UMASS/A - and when I compare In-state MA vs OOS NC - it is pretty much a wash - all expenses included. The state college system in MA falls into the same range of around $20,000 per year for OOS - tho is not a bad bargain at $11,800 for residents.</p>