Appropriations members discuss restoring VSAC forgivable loans and scholarship funding

Committee staff told members the governor's FY27 recommendation proposes removing funding for a range of professional forgivable‑loan programs (for nurses, mental‑health professionals and others). VSAC has requested that some of those programs, notably the nursing forgivable loan program, receive global commitment funding to restore support.

Members also discussed a committee‑letter recommendation to fund certain scholarships. Staff said one scholarship line identified in committee letters is administered through the Vermont State Colleges (VSC); members noted that other funding sources, such as the higher education trust fund, had been suggested as alternatives to the general fund.

Why it matters: forgivable‑loan programs and scholarships support workforce and higher‑education pipelines (nurses, mental‑health professionals, and students). Restoring those programs would either require new general‑fund allocations or the reallocation of existing trust or special funds.

Staff said details about which institutions participate in each forgivable‑loan program (for example, whether UVM participates) would require follow‑up with VSAC or the administering agencies. No decisions were made at the meeting; staff will provide further detail as the spreadsheet is revised and priorities are set.