University of Vermont Received Federal Education Grant
A $1.25 million grant will fund scholarships for 27 graduate students to become licensed special educators in the state.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Special Education
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The U.S. Department of Education awarded a $1.25 million grant to the University of Vermont to address a local shortage of licensed secondary special educators. Project STEPS will support 27 graduate students over five years as they earn credentials to support students with disabilities.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to fill critical gaps in traditional services for students with disabilities as they transition to adulthood. By subsidizing graduate training, the program seeks to ensure Vermont school districts have the qualified staff necessary to support this student population.
The grant covers a five-year period and will provide scholarships for 27 graduate students, including eight participants in the first year. At least seven of the first eight students selected for the inaugural cohort must be Vermont residents.
The players
University of Vermont
This public research university serves as the primary host institution for the Project STEPS graduate scholarship initiative.
U.S. Department of Education
This federal agency provided the $1.25 million grant through its Office of Special Education Programs to support teacher training.
State Agency of Education
This Vermont state agency will collaborate with the university to address the regional shortage of licensed special educators.
The details
Participants in Project STEPS will complete accredited online graduate coursework and a mandatory 600-hour student teaching internship. The project will collaborate with the State Agency of Education, local school districts, and various advocacy organizations to implement the curriculum.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: Researchers at the University of Vermont were awarded the federal grant.
Early 2027: Applications for the first year of graduate funding will open for interested candidates.
Culture Shift
The project represents a shift toward specialized training for the critical transition-to-adulthood phase for students with disabilities. It moves beyond general education requirements by providing a targeted micro-certificate in Postsecondary Transition to Adulthood.
This program directly expands the pipeline of licensed educators available to serve local school districts in Vermont. Future graduate students can expect financial assistance toward their education in exchange for completing a rigorous, 600-hour teaching internship.
The takeaway
This federal investment provides a pathway for aspiring educators to specialize in the transition needs of students with disabilities. Prospective students should monitor the university for upcoming application windows to secure funding for their graduate studies.
What happens next
Applications for the initial year of the Project STEPS graduate scholarship program will launch in early 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's efforts in Special Education.
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