The Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (SLRAP) for Vermont’s early childhood educators relaunched on June 1, 2023, with new, expanded eligibility criteria.
SLRAP is Vermont’s first student loan debt relief program for early childhood educators. It was first established in May 2021 when Vermont Act 45 was signed into law, is administered by the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) and is funded by the Child Development Division. Awards are given on a first come, first served basis, and are limited to available grant funds. The online application process is open June 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023.
New eligibility rules now include debt incurred for:
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Master's degrees
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Degrees that were completed more than five years ago
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Undergraduate degrees that are not in an Early Childhood Education (ECE) related field as long as degree coursework included a required number of ECE related credits, equivalent to a Level IIIB or higher on the Early Childhood Career Ladder
The expansion means the SLRAP will be able to provide funds to cover the cost of monthly student loan payments and reduce overall student loan debt to more individuals. The expansion also allows for retroactive repayment assistance for student loan debt held between January 1, 2022, and June 1, 2023, that were ineligible under the previous criteria. Early childhood educators who may have been ineligible under the old criteria are encouraged to revisit the expanded program, as they may now qualify for a one-time retroactive payment of up to $4,000.
To learn more, view the new eligibility criteria, or complete an application visit the VTAEYC website.