Curtis Fund General Scholarships for Postsecondary Education

Curtis Fund General Scholarships for Postsecondary Education

Status: Active and ongoing program since 1910

Geographic Scope: Vermont (all counties)

Program Overview:
Long-standing scholarship program providing renewable financial assistance for Vermonters pursuing postsecondary degrees and certificates. Scholarships are automatically renewed for duration of student's postsecondary education.

Award Information:

Annual Award: $3,400 per academic year (increased from $3,100 in 2022-23)

Renewability: Automatically renewed annually for duration of postsecondary education

2021-22 Academic Year: Approximately 700 students received scholarships

2022-23 Academic Year: Approximately 881 scholarships awarded

Historical Impact: Over 11,600 students helped since fund creation in 1910

Target Population:

Low-income Vermonters

First-generation college students (students who will be first in family to pursue post-high school degree or certificate)

Vermont residents from all counties

Students pursuing both associate/bachelor's degrees and certificates

Eligible Programs:

Postsecondary degree programs (2-year or 4-year)

Certificate programs

Both degree-seeking and certificate programs eligible

Mission Statement:
"The Curtis Fund is committed to ensuring that every Vermonter, regardless of income, can earn a postsecondary degree or certificate because in a small state, we can't afford to leave any talent behind."

Historical Background:

Founded in 1910 by Emma Eliza Curtis

Emma Eliza Curtis left $120,000 in trust for financial assistance to young Vermont men and women pursuing postsecondary education

Current fund value: Over $31 million (as of 2024)

Annual grants: Approximately $1.8 million

Joined Vermont Community Foundation family in 2018 (previously independent private foundation for 108+ years)

Context - Why Scholarships Matter:

Vermont high school graduation rate: 91.4%

Only 53% of Vermont high school graduates go directly from high school to college (below national average of 69%)

Only 40% of Vermont's low-income high school students pursue college/technical education after graduation

In-state public college tuition in Vermont is more than double the national average

Contact Information:

Phone: 877-961-4369 (VSAC)

Email: lphilie@thecurtisfund.org

Address: 3 Court Street, Middlebury, VT 05753

Website: thecurtisfund.org