NEBHE Tuition Break Programs and Eligibility Guide (2026-2027)

NEBHE Tuition Break Guidelines and Undergraduate Program Eligibility at UVM

The tuition reduction applies exclusively to approved degree programs for residents of eligible states, based on official university guidelines.

Eligible Undergraduate Degree Programs and State Restrictions

Approval for the NEBHE Tuition Break varies by specific academic major, participating colleges, and student residency.

• Agroecology: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, for students who matriculated from Fall 2026 through Spring 2027.
• Chinese: College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Maine and New Hampshire, for students matriculating between Fall 2024 and Spring 2027.
• Community and International Development: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eligible states include Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, for students who matriculated from Fall 2024 through Spring 2027.
• Community Entrepreneurship: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eligible states include Maine and New Hampshire, for students who matriculated Fall 2024 through Spring 2027.
• Community-Centered Design: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, for students matriculating between Fall 2024 and Spring 2027.
• Dance: College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut and Maine, for students matriculating from Fall 2026 through Spring 2027.
• Data Science: College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Eligible states include Maine, for students who matriculated Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.
• Ecological Landscape Planning and Design: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eligible states include Maine and New Hampshire, for students who matriculated Fall 2026 through Spring 2027.
• Food Systems: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut and Massachusetts, for students who matriculated Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.
• Forestry: Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Eligible states include Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, for students matriculating Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.
• German (Language): College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Maine, for students who matriculated Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.
• Japanese: College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, for students matriculating Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.
• Linguistics: College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Rhode Island, for students who matriculated Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.
• Plant Biology: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Massachusetts and New Hampshire, for students who matriculated Fall 2018 through Spring 2027.
• Religion: College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, for students who matriculated Fall 2019 through Spring 2027.
• Russian: College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, for students who matriculated Fall 2017 through Spring 2027.

The university notes that Neuroscience and Behavior is no longer accepting new students for the tuition break. Eligibility for that specific major is restricted to students from Maine and Rhode Island who matriculated between Fall 2017 and 2023.

Enrollment Mandates and Financial Aid Adjustments

To secure the tuition reduction each term, students must officially declare an approved degree, maintain enrollment in at least one course per semester that applies directly to that major, and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. These conditions must be fulfilled prior to the conclusion of the course add/drop period every semester. The discount is not applied retroactively, and students who fail to see the credit on their billing statements must contact Student Financial Services or their Dean’s Office before the add/drop deadline.

Financial aid packages are adjusted when the NEBHE discount applies. Students who hold Presidential, Trustee, or Dean’s Merit Scholarships will experience a 30% reduction in those specific merit awards. This adjustment prorates the scholarship against the lowered tuition rate, and the full scholarship amount is restored during any semester the student becomes ineligible for the NEBHE program.

Program Limitations and Study Abroad Rules

Participation in standard study abroad programs disqualifies students from receiving the NEBHE tuition discount for the duration of their time abroad. The sole exemption applies to students enrolled in the UVM Semester Abroad program in Costa Rica, administered through the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Additionally, summer internship courses utilizing the “SINT” prefix that do not grant degree-eligible academic credit are excluded from the tuition break, though regular billed internships taken for degree credit may qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions About UVM NEBHE Eligibility

What happens if a student drops an eligible course during the semester?

If a student drops the qualifying course or switches out of the approved major before or during the add/drop period, they lose eligibility for reduced tuition for that term and will be billed at the standard rate.

Can students apply the NEBHE discount to past semesters retroactively?

No, university rules state that approvals for eligible NEBHE programs are not retroactive and cannot be applied to previous terms.

How does the tuition break affect existing merit scholarships?

Students awarded Presidential, Trustee, or Dean’s Merit Scholarships receive a 30% reduction in those awards while receiving the NEBHE tuition credit, reverting to their full scholarship value if they lose NEBHE eligibility in a future term.