Policies & Processes
Tuition Policies
All applicable fees and charges are payable in advance of enrollment. Tuition is due on a semester basis on the first day of each new semester. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.
All students are billed by semester (tuition; room and board for students staying on campus; the single-room fee for students who request a single room, if available; and the residency equipment fee), with the exception of graduating students who are charged room and board (if staying on campus) and the residency fee for their final residency. (Residency fee is not applicable to the residential MFA in Writing & Publishing program.)
Enrollment Deposit Fee
New students must pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit fee prior to their initial residency or registration. The deposit is applied to the matriculated student’s first semester of tuition and fees.
Withdrawal & Tuition Refund Policy
Withdrawal must be in writing and should be sent directly to either the student’s program office or the Registrar’s Office. The date of withdrawal is the earlier of:
- Date the student notifies the college; or
- Ending date of the previous term if the student fails to register for a new term.
It is understood that a student who fails to notify Vermont College of Fine Arts of withdrawal from the program or semester is obligated to pay all tuition assessed for the complete semester. Students who withdraw prior to the end of the semester should refer to the current tuition policies statement for information about appropriate tuition refunds. The amount of the refund, if applicable, will be determined by the effective date of the withdrawal and the balance of the student’s account, after financial aid adjustments, as of the withdrawal date.
Financial aid adjustments are based on federal guidelines. Tuition is partially reversed or refunded when students withdraw completely from the program or go on leave after a semester has begun. The amount of the refund, if applicable, will be determined by the effective date of the withdrawal. Please see the Withdrawal & Refunds section of the Student Handbook for more specific details on the withdrawal and refund schedule.
International Student Financial Aid Eligibility
Most international students are not eligible for federal student financial aid from the US Department of Education. In some cases, however, noncitizens may be eligible for financial aid from the US federal government. Visit here to learn more. You should also check with your country’s government and embassy or consulate in the US. International students are eligible to receive merit scholarships and are considered with all other applicants in the review process.
Financial Aid Eligibility with Less Than a Bachelor’s Degree
VCFA does in rare and special cases admit students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility for student loans and financial aid can be affected by the number of undergraduate credits achieved. Students who are admitted with less than a bachelor’s degree should contact David Markow, COO/VP for Student Services, at [email protected] for more information.
Non-discrimination Policy
Vermont College of Fine Arts does not discriminate in its admissions, employment, or policy procedures on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, political party affiliation, or physical impairment. VCFA’s policies and practices conform with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.