Opening doors to brighter futures for Vermonters.
The Curtis Fund helps low-income and first-generation Vermonters pursue college degrees and career training that lead to meaningful work, economic mobility, and stronger communities.
Founded in 1910, The Curtis Fund is Vermont’s largest private provider of postsecondary scholarships and a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation.
Empowering Vermont's workforce & students since 1910
Opportunity changes lives.
Each year, The Curtis Fund helps students and adult learners across Vermont access the education and training they need to build brighter futures.
Whether pursuing a college degree or a short-term credential that leads directly to a job, our scholars are creating new opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
900+
ANNUAL SUPPORT
Scholarships awarded annually across Vermont
Direct student aid
87%
PROVEN SUCCESS
Graduation rate for Curtis Fund degree scholars
Above national average
70%
WAGE PROGRESSION
of COV recipients reported increased earnings
Credentials of Value impact
$3,400
RENEWABLE PER YEAR
Degree scholarships for two- and four-year college programs
No re-application required
Degree Scholarships
Renewable scholarships for students pursuing two- or four-year college degrees.
Key Feature:
Scholars may receive up to $3,400 annually for up to four years, without having to re-apply each year
✓ Associate & Bachelor's Degrees
✓ Multi-year financial predictability
✓ Direct support through college graduation
How we help Vermonters move forward.
The Curtis Fund supports two postsecondary pathways for Vermonters looking to advance their education.
Credentials of Value (COV)
Scholarships for short-term, career-focused certificate and training programs that lead directly to high-demand jobs.
High-Impact Fields:
Targeted funding in essential Vermont sectors like Healthcare, Trades, Commercial Truck Driving (CDL), and Technology.
✓ Rapid path to employment
✓ Stackable into future academic degrees
✓ Designed for adult learners & career-changers
Credentials of Value
Credentials of Value (CoV) allow students to explore career paths with applicable coursework that contribute to earning a certificate in that field. If students choose to pursue further degrees, the coursework earned in pursuit of the credentials is “stackable” and can contribute to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
Talent is everywhere in Vermont.
Opportunity is not.
Why our work matters
Too many Vermonters face financial barriers to the education or training that could change the course of their lives. The Curtis Fund exists to help ensure that cost does not stand in the way of potential.
When scholarship support helps a Vermonter become a nurse, teacher, truck driver, bookkeeper, welder, or public health professional, the impact reaches far beyond one individual…
It strengthens families, employers, and communities across the state.
Scholar stories
Meet the Vermonters behind the scholarships
Behind every scholarship is a story of determination, resilience, and hope. Our scholars are students and adult learners from across Vermont who are working hard to build better futures.
10 Everest Summits. One New Future in Vermont.
After climbing the world’s tallest mountain 10 times, Ang Dawa Sherpa used a Curtis Fund scholarship to earn his CDL-B license and build a new life in Vermont.
Growing opportunity through partnership.
The Curtis Fund works with donors, employers, schools, and community partners to create pathways to education and training across Vermont. From named scholarships to workforce partnerships and regional funds, these collaborations help us reach more Vermonters in more meaningful ways.
1
Vermont Country Store Scholarship
Dedicated workforce support supporting local students pursuing career-advancing degrees and technical skills.
2
Northshire & Mettawee Valley Fund
Targeted regional endowment providing focused postsecondary access for students in southwestern Vermont.
3
Town Fair Tire Foundation Partnership
Trade-specific and technical training scholarships preparing students directly for essential automotive careers.
4
Early Childhood Workforce Initiatives
The Curtis Fund Commitment: Comprehensive aid addressing the critical shortage of early educators statewide.
Our Commitment
Help Vermont students
Our Mission
Provide educational scholarships
Our Goal
Secure brighter futures
WHAT WE DO
The Curtis Fund awards scholarships for at-risk, low-income, and first-generation Vermonters pursuing post-secondary education via a two- or four-year degree or credentialed certificate program.
OUR IMPACT
Every year we award over
2 million dollars
to Vermonters pursuing post-secondary ed.
Over a century of helping Vermonters
We’ve been awarding scholarships to low income and first-generation students since 1912.
More than 14,000 Vermonters served
In 2025-2026, we awarded 247 COV scholarships and 652 degree scholarships.
We manage a $35 million endowment fund
and distribute at least 5% of the earnings annually.
“My family and I were trying to figure out how we were going to pay for the program, so I applied for VSAC grants, and also was awarded The Curtis Fund CoV scholarship. These combined grants and scholarship were enough to cover the cost of my program. The Curtis Fund did a great job of supporting me and I really appreciate it!”
Skylar Casey, Southwest Tech
Help open the next door.
Your gift helps Vermont students and adult learners access the education and training they need to build secure, meaningful futures.
Press Releases