Students, foundation urge lawmakers to sustain Vermont's Free Degree Promise

Students who have used Vermont's Early College pathway told the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 20 that the McClure Foundation'funded Free Degree Promise eased financial barriers and increased postsecondary access, and advocates urged the Legislature to find a way to sustain the program.

The testimony centered on students enrolled at the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and the foundation-backed second-year scholarship known as the Free Degree Promise. "If they didn't have this opportunity, they wouldn't have thought about continuing their education," said a student who described completing early college and entering her second year under the Promise. Another student said the program let her explore fields such as environmental science without taking on large loans.

Rebecca Bovance of the Vompler Foundation described Act 77 (2013) as the law that created flexible pathways, and said the McClure Foundation had stepped in to fund the second year of associate degrees at CCV. "Thanks to the McClure Foundation'the second year of associate degrees at CCV is covered for participating students," she told the committee.

Bovance gave enrollment and scale details: CCV serves about 250 early college students statewide, which she said represents roughly 5% of a typical senior class at participating high schools. She also said CCV operates 12 physical locations and offers hundreds of virtual sections so students across the state can access coursework.

Bovance said the McClure Foundation has committed funding through the current cohorts but will continue for only a limited period and urged lawmakers to consider a legislative path to sustain the Promise. She referenced a bill introduced by Representative Marcotte that would reconfigure the higher education trust fund to include the Community College of Vermont and Vermont State University as named beneficiaries.

Committee members and students emphasized that the program helps students who have outgrown their high schools or who face financial constraints. Students highlighted both academic benefits and practical outcomes: earning an associate degree for little or no cost provides a credential for work and a transferable path to four'year institutions.

The committee did not take a vote on funding during the session. Bovance said the McClure Foundation'commitment covers current cohorts for two more years and urged the Legislature to consider long'term funding options; she suggested the higher education trust fund bill as one possible mechanism.

The committee recessed for a short break after the testimony. The agency and advocates indicated they will continue outreach to lawmakers and stakeholders about sustaining the Free Degree Promise.