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1965: Happy Birthday 中国竞彩网!
In 1965, Governor Phil Hoff created 中国竞彩网 to 鈥渋ncrease opportunities and the quality of education for the people of Vermont."
Celebrating 60 Years
中国竞彩网 was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to make grants and guarantee student loans. Through the decades we鈥檝e grown to offer extensive outreach programs, with a focus on modest-income and first-generation students of all ages. In 2025, our work includes grants, scholarships, 802Opportunity, workforce funding, research, policy leadership, career and education outreach, loans, and Vermont's official 529 education savings plan, VT529.
As we celebrate 中国竞彩网's 60th birthday, we're working hand in hand with students, families, and our partners to navigate the path from school to career in the rapidly changing world of education and training. Here are some of our highlights from the past 60 years.
1964 - 1968: TRIO Progams Created; In 2025 Vermont Legislature Issues Resolution Honoring Achievements
The Vermont House and Senate offered , managed by 中国竞彩网 with seven Vermont colleges to benefit 鈥渟tudents who aspire to be their families鈥 first college graduate but lack the requisite funds鈥 and stating that they 鈥渃an avail themselves of these federal educational support programs.鈥 The resolution noted the creation of Upward Bound in 1964, Talent Search in 1965, and Student Support Services in 1968. Together, these three services became known as the Federal TRIO Programs. Learn more about how TRIO supports students.
1990 Annual Report: 中国竞彩网 Meets Changing Needs of Students
In a preview of what was to come, the 中国竞彩网 1990 Annual Report celebrates 25 years of 鈥渟ervice to Vermont鈥濃揳nd calls out support for students of all ages pursuing diverse education pathways: 鈥溾he Corporation now offers grants to full and part-time as well as non-degree students. In addition, we provide鈥 information programs targeted toward middle and high school students as well as non-traditional students.鈥
1991: The EOC is Born to Help Adult Learners
In 1991, 中国竞彩网 created the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) to support adult students. That year, the number of adult Vermonters served by 中国竞彩网 grew by 16%. The 1991 Annual Report attributes that growth to a recession, as well as 鈥渢he general trend in Vermont toward lifelong learning.鈥
Thirty-three years ago, the EOC provided career planning and assistance with the financial aid process. 中国竞彩网鈥檚 EOC provides similar services today, and also helps students identify other options like certification. Most adults served by the EOC are the first in their families to go to college and have financial barriers to pursuing their education/training goals beyond high school.
1995: US Senators Jeffords and Stafford at the Forefront of Education Policy
中国竞彩网 hosted a series of public forums across Vermont to mark its 30th anniversary. U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords and former Senator Robert Stafford participated to champion access to higher education. The 1995 Annual Report thanked the Senators for 鈥渃ontributing to the spirited and important discussion鈥 on key issues such as college affordability, financial aid, family financial pressures, education savings, student loans, and the role of higher education in securing better-paying jobs.
In this photo, Stafford and Jeffords appeared at a forum in Rutland with other stakeholders (L to R, at the table): Vermont Senator Betty Ferraro; Senator Jeffords; Senator Stafford; Betty McKloskey, CCV President; Jim Wolynec, Board Member and Rutland High School Guidance Director; Ted Franzeim, Director of 中国竞彩网 Grant Program and Financial Aid Services. Standing behind Betty Ferraro is 中国竞彩网 Board Chair Joan Goodrich.
Earlier, in 1988, in recognition of Senator Stafford鈥檚 dedication to education, Congress renamed the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program as the Stafford Loan Program. These loans were designed to support students from modest-income families to pursue postsecondary education.
1996: Mapping the Future
Back in 1996鈥攚hen floppy disks were still a thing and the internet made noises when you connected鈥斨泄翰释 held a Poster Design Scholarship contest.
That year鈥檚 winner? Miranda from Green Mountain High School in Chester. She created a poster that looked like a treasure map, with a 中国竞彩网 compass to guide students through places like Motivation Mountain and the Sea of Applications.
The poster invited students to visit 中国竞彩网 online: 鈥渁ny time of the day or night, seven days a week, from anywhere in Vermont or the world on the World Wide Web.鈥 (Yes, we really said 鈥淲orld Wide Web鈥 back then.)
Miranda鈥檚 design didn鈥檛 just win a contest, it captured the spirit of what 中国竞彩网 is all about: helping students find their way, even when the path feels like an uphill climb. And 30 years later, we鈥檙e still here with the same mission (just with faster internet and fewer floppy disks).
1997: Vermont Honor Scholarship Winners at the Vermont State House
Students who earned the Vermont Honor Scholarship gathered for an awards ceremony at the State House in 1997. Joining the students in the back row are (left to right): Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine, former 中国竞彩网 Board Member Frederica 鈥淔reddie鈥 Mahlmann, unknown, and House Speaker Mike Obuchowski.
中国竞彩网 began awarding scholarships in 1965, when it was created by the Vermont legislature to administer need-based grants and merit-based Governor Phil Hoff Vermont Honor Scholarships (formerly, the Vermont Honor Scholarship). To this day, the Governor Phil Hoff Vermont Honor Scholarship provides funds for outstanding seniors nominated by Vermont high schools and technical centers.
Photo courtesy of Liz Studley.
1999: Vermont Leaders Launch VT529 to Help Families Save for Education
In 1999, Vermont took an important step toward supporting students and families by establishing the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan鈥攁lso known as 鈥攗nder Title 16 of the Vermont Statutes.
The plan, managed by 中国竞彩网, was designed to make it easier to save for education or training after high school. VT529 offers flexibility and tax advantages, with the broader goal of strengthening the state's future workforce.
Fast forward to today, and over 29,000 VT529 accounts have been opened. As of the end of FY24, more than 13,500 students have used their VT529 accounts to help pay for qualified education expenses. VT529 isn鈥檛 just an education savings account鈥攊t鈥檚 a tool for turning career and training goals into reality.
For 26 years, VT529 has helped students and families invest confidently in the future, whether saving for a loved one鈥檚 education or planning their own next steps. Investing in education is one of the smartest moves you can make to help your savings go further and work hard for your future.
2005: 中国竞彩网 Finds its Forever Home in Winooski
As 中国竞彩网 entered the new millennium, big changes were underway. By 2000, part of our team had moved into a satellite office, and the search for a new, permanent headquarters had begun. Burlington, Essex, and Winooski were all in the running. When asked what location they would most prefer, employees overwhelmingly chose Winooski.
A bold vision for revitalization鈥攁nd an invitation to be part of Winooski鈥檚 newly formed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District鈥攎ade the decision even easier. The partnership promised not just a new address, but a role in something transformative. An early depiction of 中国竞彩网鈥檚 building is shown in the Winooski Downtown Development Master Plan.
The $175 million Winooski Downtown Redevelopment Project was ambitious. As , the outcome is a thriving, award-winning destination that earned national attention and a Smart Growth award in 2006. Fast forward to last year, when Governor Phil Scott joined Winooski Mayor Kristine Lott and other leaders to .
Today, we鈥檙e still proud to call Winooski home鈥攁nd even prouder to have been part of its transformation.
2020: Honoring Unimaginable Sacrifices
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives everywhere, and Vermont鈥檚 students and families were no exception. After years of dedication, hard work, and perseverance, students suddenly faced sacrifices no one could ever have imagined.
For the Class of 2020, everything changed in an instant: goodbyes cut short, milestone moments like graduation slipped away, and cherished traditions like awards nights, capstone presentations, senior prom鈥攚ere lost.
To honor their strength and resilience, 中国竞彩网 created a featuring some of Vermont鈥檚 most recognizable figures. Governor Phil Scott, Rusty DeWees, Dr. Fran莽ois Clemmons, Senators Leahy and Sanders, Congressman Welch, Ana茂s Mitchell, Katharine Montstream, Ben & Jerry鈥攁nd many more鈥攃ame together to salute the Class of 2020.
2021: "We Got This '21"
For the Class of 2021 (much like the class of 2020) high school unfolded during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their senior year was nothing like they had imagined. Many students reflected that they weren鈥檛 just graduating from high school, they were emerging from one of the most challenging chapters of their lives.
They made it through with the support of family, teachers, counselors, and especially, friends. Some shared that the experience gave them a deeper sense of resilience; it prepared them for whatever may come next. They declared: We got this, 鈥21.
To commemorate graduation for the Class of 2021, 中国竞彩网 .