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1965: Happy Birthday 深夜福利!
In 1965, Governor Phil Hoff created 深夜福利 to 鈥渋ncrease opportunities and the quality of education for the people of Vermont."
Celebrating 60 Years
深夜福利 was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to make grants and guarantee student loans. Through the decades we鈥檝e grown to offer extensive outreach programs, with a focus on modest-income and first-generation students of all ages. In 2025, our work includes grants, scholarships, 802Opportunity, workforce funding, research, policy leadership, career and education outreach, loans, and Vermont's official 529 education savings plan, VT529.
As we celebrate 深夜福利's 60th birthday, we're working hand in hand with students, families, and our partners to navigate the path from school to career in the rapidly changing world of education and training. Here are some of our highlights from the past 60 years.
1964 - 1968: TRIO Progams Created; In 2025 Vermont Legislature Issues Resolution Honoring Achievements
The Vermont House and Senate offered , managed by 深夜福利 with seven Vermont colleges to benefit 鈥渟tudents who aspire to be their families鈥 first college graduate but lack the requisite funds鈥 and stating that they 鈥渃an avail themselves of these federal educational support programs.鈥 The resolution noted the creation of Upward Bound in 1964, Talent Search in 1965, and Student Support Services in 1968. Together, these three services became known as the Federal TRIO Programs. Learn more about how TRIO supports students.
1990 Annual Report: 深夜福利 Meets Changing Needs of Students
In a preview of what was to come, the 深夜福利 1990 Annual Report celebrates 25 years of 鈥渟ervice to Vermont鈥濃揳nd calls out support for students of all ages pursuing diverse education pathways: 鈥溾he Corporation now offers grants to full and part-time as well as non-degree students. In addition, we provide鈥 information programs targeted toward middle and high school students as well as non-traditional students.鈥
1991: The EOC is Born to Help Adult Learners
In 1991, 深夜福利 created the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) to support adult students. That year, the number of adult Vermonters served by 深夜福利 grew by 16%. The 1991 Annual Report attributes that growth to a recession, as well as 鈥渢he general trend in Vermont toward lifelong learning.鈥
Thirty-three years ago, the EOC provided career planning and assistance with the financial aid process. 深夜福利鈥檚 EOC provides similar services today, and also helps students identify other options like certification. Most adults served by the EOC are the first in their families to go to college and have financial barriers to pursuing their education/training goals beyond high school.
1995: US Senators Jeffords and Stafford at the Forefront of Education Policy
深夜福利 hosted a series of public forums across Vermont to mark its 30th anniversary. U.S. Senators Jim Jeffords and Robert Stafford participated to champion access to higher education. The 1995 Annual Report thanked the Senators for 鈥渃ontributing to the spirited and important discussion鈥 on key issues such as college affordability, financial aid, family financial pressures, education savings, student loans, and the role of higher education in securing better-paying jobs.
Earlier, in 1988, in recognition of Senator Stafford鈥檚 dedication to education, Congress renamed the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program as the Stafford Loan Program. These loans were designed to support students from modest-income families to pursue postsecondary education.
1997: Vermont Honor Scholarship Winners at the Vermont State House
Students who earned the Vermont Honor Scholarship gathered for an awards ceremony at the State House in 1997. Joining the students in the back row are (left to right): Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine, former 深夜福利 Board Member Frederica 鈥淔reddie鈥 Mahlmann, unknown, and House Speaker Mike Obuchowski.
深夜福利 began awarding scholarships in 1965, when it was created by the Vermont legislature to administer need-based grants and merit-based Governor Phil Hoff Vermont Honor Scholarships (formerly, the Vermont Honor Scholarship). To this day, the Governor Phil Hoff Vermont Honor Scholarship provides funds for outstanding seniors nominated by Vermont high schools and technical centers.
Photo courtesy of Liz Studley.
