A wide range of post-secondary and higher education institutions are found in Vermont. The Agency of Education reviews applications to start colleges in the state and protects student records in the event that a postsecondary institution ceases operating. Statute: 16 V.S.A. § 175 - Postsecondary educational institutions; closing. State Board Rules: 2240 Postsecondary Schools.
- In-state higher education institutions
- Out-of-state colleges
- State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Other postsecondary resources
In-State Higher Education Institutions
These colleges and universities were chartered in Vermont:
- Bennington College
- Castleton State College
- Center for Cartoon Studies
- Champlain College
- College of St. Joseph
- Community College of Vermont
- Goddard College
- Green Mountain College
- Johnson State College
- Landmark College
- Lyndon State College
- Marlboro College
- Middlebury College
- New England Culinary Institute
- Norwich University
- St. Michael's College
- Southern Vermont College
- Sterling College
- University of Vermont
- Vermont College of Fine Arts
- Vermont Law School
- Vermont Technical College
- World Learning (formerly School for International Training)
Out-of-State Colleges
These colleges and universities were chartered outside of Vermont, but are certified by the State Board of Education to offer credit-bearing courses or degrees in the state:
- Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Antioch New England Graduate School (NH)
- Nova Southeastern University (FL)
- River Valley Community College
- Southern New Hampshire University (NH)
- Springfield College (MA)
- Union Institute & University (OH, with a location in Brattleboro, VT)
- University of Massachusetts, in affiliation with Yestermorrow Design/Build School
Complaint Resolution of Postsecondary Schools
To comply with US Department of Education regulations related to eligibility for federal student financial aid programs, the Vermont Agency of Education provides information on complaint resolution of postsecondary schools.
Complaint Resolution of Postsecondary Schools
Records for Closed Postsecondary Schools
Postsecondary Records for Closed Schools
Burlington College Student Academic Records
On May 27, 2016, Burlington College announced it would cease operations. On July 29, 2016, the Vermont State Board of Education designated the Vermont Agency of Education as the temporary repository for the Burlington College student academic records.
To place a request for a certified true copy of your student academic record, complete and sign the Burlington College Student Academic Record Request form. Please email the completed form to the Agency of Education.
Requests will be processed in the order received and processing time may take up to 3 weeks. There is no fee for this service.
Please note the Agency cannot process requests made outside this form. We recognize many of you may have already sent your request to Burlington College, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office or our office. We apologize, but you will need to complete and send in the official request form.
The Vermont Agency of Education can only provide a certified true copy of your student academic record as it existed at the closing of Burlington College. The Agency is unable to process requests for additions, edits or corrections to a student academic record.
A cover letter explaining the status of the records and our Agency’s role and contact information for the Agency will accompany the records. The Agency will mail all copies of your student academic record via USPS first class mail. At this time there is no option for expedited mailing service.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establish comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.
It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.
The New England Board of Higher Education approved Vermont as a member state in April 2015. Applications for enrollment as an approved postsecondary institution in Vermont began on July 1, 2015.
- The Agency of Education will serve as the state agency to coordinate SARA matters in Vermont.
- Participation for Vermont institutions is voluntary.
- Membership is open to degree-granting postsecondary institutions from all sectors accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
- Approved institutions will be able to operate in other participating SARA states without seeking independent authorization from those states.
- Vermont is not charging an application fee for approval; however, approved institutions will need to pay an annual fee to SARA.
SARA Information
- Application for VT Postsecondary Institutions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Current SARA Approved States
Questions and Completed Applications
Cassandra Ryan, Postsecondary Approvals
Agency of Education
219 North Main Street, Suite 402
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 479-8545
Other Postsecondary Resources
The following organizations play important roles in serving the higher education needs of Vermont residents.
- Association of Vermont Independent Colleges (AVIC)
- Consortium of Vermont Colleges (CVC)
- Vermont Higher Education Council (VHEC)
- Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)
Questions?
Email Cassandra Ryan, Fiscal and Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, or call (802) 479-8545.
