Saint Anselm College announced it will expand its free-tuition scholarship program to include students from Vermont beginning next fall, a move that could broaden access to private-college education for families across the state.
What the program covers and who is eligible
The scholarship, known as the Anselmian Community Commitment, was introduced for New Hampshire students in fall 2025 and will now be available to qualifying students from both Maine and Vermont. According to a college spokesperson, the program covers tuition for eligible first-year students who meet the application and residency criteria.
The college spelled out several conditions for eligibility, including an income threshold and academic requirements. A spokesperson said the change follows strong demand after the program’s initial rollout in New Hampshire.
“We wanted students in those communities to realize that a private college education was perhaps more affordable than they realized, and this was a way to draw their attention to that fact,”
The college also released a statement from its president, highlighting the institution’s recent growth and investments in facilities.
“With a growing student body, new state-of-the-art nursing and health sciences facilities, and tremendous momentum, Saint Anselm College is increasingly well positioned for the future,”
Eligibility at a glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Family income | $100,000 or less per year |
| Academic | High school GPA of 3.25 or higher |
| Residency | Student must plan to reside on campus |
| Financial aid | Must have submitted the FAFSA |
| Transfer students | Not eligible |
How the program has affected the college
Officials said the scholarship produced an immediate uptick in interest when it launched for New Hampshire applicants. The college reported a 36% increase in applications from New Hampshire between 2024 and 2025, and enrolled 648 first-year students that year — the most in its history, according to the spokesperson.
Overall, Saint Anselm has increased enrollment by 15% over the past four years. College leaders framed the expansion to neighboring states as a continuation of a strategy to grow the student body while emphasizing affordability.
What Vermont students should know and next steps
For Vermont families weighing college options, the announcement signals an added pathway to reduce out-of-pocket costs at a private liberal-arts institution.
- Check the college’s admissions pages for updated application deadlines and program details specific to Maine and Vermont applicants.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — the scholarship requires FAFSA completion.
- Ensure your high school record meets the minimum 3.25 GPA threshold and plan for on-campus residency if awarded the scholarship.
College officials emphasized that the program is targeted at first-year students and does not apply to transfer students. Families should also factor in other costs not covered by the scholarship, such as room-and-board, fees and personal expenses, and consult Saint Anselm’s financial aid office for a full cost breakdown.
Saint Anselm’s decision comes amid broader conversations in New England about the affordability of higher education and how private colleges can use targeted scholarships to attract regional applicants. The college cited financial stability and the success of the New Hampshire pilot as reasons for expansion.
Prospective Vermont students interested in the Anselmian Community Commitment should contact Saint Anselm’s admissions or financial aid offices for the most current application information and to confirm deadlines for next fall’s entering class.
This report is based on the college’s public announcement and comments from college representatives regarding the program’s expansion and eligibility requirements.
