Resources for Students

Are you a Vermont high school student looking for an adventure in learning? Then our residential summer programs are the perfect fit for you!

“ You might surprise yourself and learn more than you could dream. Throughout the process of applying, being accepted, while I was there, and after, I was consistently excited and my expectations were certainly met.”

— Lydia,   Arts Institute Alum

A Simple Test to Determine if GIV is Right for You

Not sure if you should come to a Governor’s Institute? Here’s a simple test to help you make a decision:

  • Can you think of an academic or artistic topic you would like to explore in much greater depth?
  • Would you like to meet people who passionately share your same interests?
  • Are you ready for the adventure of trying out a short immersion in college campus living and course-work?
  • Wonder what it would be like to build a career doing the things you love?

If you answered yes to any of these, take the plunge and apply. You won’t regret it!

Who Attends GIV

GIV’ers are a very diverse group, brought together by their shared thirst for learning and readiness to grow!

To ensure that all students can be successful in our programs, our Institutes are reserved for Vermont high school students who have completed their year as…

  • Freshman
  • Sophomores
  • Juniors

Graduating Seniors are not eligible for our summer Institutes.

We also accept students from schools in NH and NY that have reciprocal education arrangements with Vermont school districts. Examples of such schools include Groveton High School, Kimball Union, Hanover High School, and Salem NY High School.

Here's what GIV alumni want you to know:

Anja Samsom (Mathematical Sciences 2017-19 Alum)

Rowan Harple (Arts 2022 Alum)

Chris Woodworth (Engineering 2007 Alum)

Jedediah Baker (Arts 1997 Alum)

And some more thoughts:

“ At GIV, I made meaningful connections with other people from around the state and around the globe, gained a wealth of valuable information, developed self-confidence, and gained a greater sense of who I am.”
– Anna, Global Issues 2015 Alum
“ For the first time in my educational career, I truly felt as if I was an equal. I was never bummed to be in any group because I never had to explain and teach processes or worry about anyone that would get off task…I always found myself pondering the ideas brought up while I was laying down in bed reflecting on the day. After being nearly brain dead throughout the year, it was truly wonderful to come to this institute and have my educational needs exceeded.”
– Eric, Environmental Science 2015 Alum
“ When talking to a faculty member and hearing her describe all the research she does, it made me realize how diverse opportunities are in the scientific field, and that I really could find something I love and do it as work.”
– Environmental Science 2022 Alum
“ It was the best two weeks of my whole summer, and perhaps of my entire existence.”
– Samantha, Arts 2019 Alum
“ I really valued the people there (I made some great friends) and how engaged they were, the opportunity to learn about and use cool and new equipment and an introduction to what a career in environmental science could look like.”
– Isabel, Environmental Science and Tech 2019 Alum
“ My week attending the GIV program not only boosted my knowledge of the environmental science field, but it boosted my mental state, brought me out of a mid-summer slump, and got me excited for the school year to come.”
– Anna, Environmental Science and Technology 2019 Alum
“ GIV was fantabulous, filled to the brim with friendship and learning. [My week was] smoothed over with wonderful catership and exquisitely pleasant teachers and RAs, and topped off with unforgettable memories and knowledge galore.”
– Jade, Arts 2018 Alum
“ The experience I had at GIV was not like others. I was able to become vulnerable and share things I have never shared with anyone. I was able to relate to other experiences people had that I thought I was alone in experiencing.”
– Danielle, Global Issues & Youth Activism 2019 Alum

What Should Students Considering GIV Know?

A Message from GIV Founder Ellen Lovell, Recorded in 2023

Details about Applying

These resources will help you better understand what is required to successfully enroll in a Governor’s Institute. They will help guide you through the application process, provide information about financial aid, give you access to key school personnel, and help you with any remaining post-acceptance tasks.

Summer Institutes

Summer Institutes

All the details you need to know about our summer residency Institutes.

Summer Institute Tuition

Summer Institute Tuition

For information on our summer Institute tuition structure.

Winter Institutes

Winter Institutes

All the details you need to know about our winter residency programs.

Winter Institute Tuition

Winter Institute Tuition

For information on our winter Institute tuition structure.

Accepted?

Accepted?

Here’s what you can expect next.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are applications open?

Applications for our Summer season open in January each year. Check our Apply page for more information!

What are the Summer Institute dates and locations?

Each Institute takes place at a different time during the summer, and on different campuses. Visit each Institute’s page on our site for more info about each Institute!

How much do the summer Institutes cost?

Tuition uses a sliding scale model, which means you only pay what your family can afford. Check out the Summer Tuition page for more details!

Who can attend?

Students currently in 9th - 11th grade who go to school in Vermont, or at a school that has an arrangement with VT school districts. We’re also willing to consider out-of-state students on a case-by-case basis.

Do my grades matter for attending GIV?

In most cases, no! We don't look at grades/transcripts when considering applicants. The only exception is our Mathematical Sciences Institute, where we need to know which classes you have taken and your grades in just those classes.

How do I apply?

Applying is easy - just hit one of the many “apply” buttons on our website, create a SurveyMonkey account, and fill out the application. It will ask you to enter your contact info and some additional details about your interests, then prompt you to request recommendations from two adults. Don’t forget to hit submit! If you need support, check out our Online Application guide video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSfp18-5ibs or email us at [email protected] .

Is there a deadline for applications?

Yes - Summer 2024 applications are open from January 5th, 2024 until March 31st, 2024.
Late applications cannot be accepted, so don't miss out!

When are Summer Tuition fees charged?

Summer Tuition is only charged once a student has applied and been accepted into an Institute. Following application submissions, we will reach out to accepted students and their families to collect information and make a final determination on Summer Tuition based on your family's income and situation. We are always willing to work with families to make sure they can take part in GIV and get the support they need!

When will I know if I’m accepted?

We’ll begin reaching out to students to let them know their application status in mid-to-late April, around two weeks after our application deadline.

What COVID policies will be in place?

GIV will be requiring students to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, as defined by the CDC. If a student cannot be vaccinated or boosted, they may request an exemption form by reaching out to [email protected] after being accepted to a GIV program.
GIV will also be doing rapid testing for all students upon arriving at their Institute, and requesting that any symptomatic students test at home.
Additional precautions may be required based on the program.
Policies are subject to change in accordance with CDC and/or host college guidance.

How will I get to the Institute?

If you aren’t able to drive or be driven to your Institute, reach out to us directly at [email protected]. We’ll coordinate travel arrangements to get you there!

Can I attend multiple Institutes in one summer?

Possibly! If the dates align, we can explore this option. However, many of our Institutes overlap; if your Institute dates overlap, we ask students to choose one or the other.

Can I return to an Institute that I attended in a previous year?

We want to make sure that all of our Institutes have space for new incoming students, so we generally ask that students returning to GIV multiple years try a new Institute! Part of the GIV experience is trying new things, so we highly encourage returning students to explore a new Institute to expand into new areas of knowledge.

What will my living situation be?

While at GIV, you’ll live in a dorm on your Institute’s host college campus. Most students will have a roommate or roommates. Living on campus is a big part of the GIV experience and is how some of the closest friendships are made!

When will I know my Institute’s schedule?

The dates for each program are listed on the Institute pages here on our website. Otherwise, the Program Director for your Institute will reach out to you via email to share your Institute schedule in advance of the program. If you have questions before then, feel free to email us at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to answer them!

Can I earn high school credit?

Yes! Please reach out to your high school guidance counselor to make a plan to get credit for your participation through the Flexible Pathways Program. See our Academic Guide on this page for more information and specific credit area opportunities!

Can I earn college credit?

Yes! Two of our Institutes - Entrepreneurship and Environmental Science & Technology - can be taken for college credit. Visit the Institute Pages for more information!

Each GIV Institute Offers Credits & Proficiencies!

You can get even more out of your experience at GIV by getting high school credit, PLP entries, proficiency-based graduation requirements, or even college credit.

Explore our Academic Guide for a detailed overview of the many opportunities for you at each GIV Institute, including those that offer college credit!

Looking for print-ready overviews of our Institutes?

Download our 2024 Institute information here!

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if we can help by mailing printed versions of any of our publications.

College Credits

Do You Want College Credits?

Students have the opportunity to receive college credit for participation in the Environmental Science and Technology or Entrepreneurship Institutes.

For many students, getting this credit is free thanks to the state of Vermont’s Dual Enrollment voucher program.

For more information, view our Academic Guide to learn more about how each Institute offers these credits!

Other opportunities and resources for Vermont students...

VT Most Promising Jobs

Vermont's Most Promising Jobs

This year, the McClure Foundation worked in partnership with the VT Department of Labor to identify over 50 promising jobs projected for young Vermonters entering the workforce. Each pays above the state median wage of $22.55/hour and is expected to have at least 500 openings over the next ten years.

Check out the McClure foundation website to read about these exciting opportunities and how you can pursue them, with links and resources for students and jobseekers alike.

Many of our Institutes provide training towards these exciting career paths, so please reach out to us with questions about how GIV can support you!

School Contacts

Need help with your GIV application or have questions about our Institutes?

We have partners at almost every Vermont-area school to represent us and work with you in your own community! If you want to talk to someone in your school district about GIV, find your school representative below and send them an email.

Otherwise, don’t forget that we are always here to help and you can contact us directly at [email protected].

Contact Your GIV School Ambassador

School
Talent Scout
Email
School
Arlington Memorial High School
Talent Scout
Joanna Lederer-Barnes
School
Bellows Falls Union High School
Talent Scout
Andrea Carlson
School
BFA – Fairfax
Talent Scout
Katherine McElroy
School
BFA – St. Albans
Talent Scout
Stephanie Hodgeman
School
Blue Mountain Union School
Talent Scout
Dawn Blanchard
School
Brattleboro Union High School
Talent Scout
Richard Heller
School
Brattleboro Union High School
Talent Scout
Tessa Anders
School
Burke Mountain Academy
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Burlington High School
Talent Scout
Shannon Walters
School
Burlington Technical Center
Talent Scout
James Yepez
School
Burr and Burton Academy
Talent Scout
Melissa Michaud
School
Cabot School
Talent Scout
Jackie Batten
School
Canaan High School
Talent Scout
Kara Sweatt
School
Center For Technology, Essex
Talent Scout
Heidi McLaughlin
School
Central Vermont Adult Education
Talent Scout
Kate Nicolet
School
Central Vermont Career Center
Talent Scout
Abbey Allen
School
Champlain Valley Union HS
Talent Scout
Susie Moakley
School
Colchester High School
Talent Scout
Julie Pastore
School
Colchester High School
Talent Scout
Heather Baron
School
Compass School
Talent Scout
Eric Rhomberg
School
Craftsbury Academy
Talent Scout
Sally Guebara
School
Danville High School
Talent Scout
Simon Fisher
School
East Burke School
Talent Scout
Brandon Mazur
School
East Valley Academy
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Enosburg Falls High School
Talent Scout
Sally Bashaw
School
Essex High School
Talent Scout
Siobhan Barber
School
Fair Haven Union High School
Talent Scout
Karla Ramey
School
Granville Junior/Senior High School
Talent Scout
Erin Rueckert
School
Granville Junior/Senior High School
Talent Scout
Elisha Mittleman
School
Green Mountain Tech & Career Ctr.
Talent Scout
Meaghan Parker
School
Green Mountain Union High School
Talent Scout
Christa Valente
School
Green Mountain Valley School
Talent Scout
Kerry Jackson
School
Greenwood School
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Groveton High School
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Hanover High School
Talent Scout
Andrea Johnstone
School
Hartford Area Career and Tech Center
Talent Scout
Tim Hebert
School
Hartford High School
Talent Scout
Andersen Thorp
School
Harwood Union High School
Talent Scout
Erin Dezell
School
Harwood Union High School
Talent Scout
Jen Shaub
School
Harwood Union High School
Talent Scout
Maggie Weintraub
School
Hazen Union School
Talent Scout
Allie O'Hara
School
Lake Champlain Waldorf High School
Talent Scout
Aaron Darland
School
Lake Region Union High School
Talent Scout
Tim Chamberlin
School
Lamoille Union High School
Talent Scout
Debbie Zmich
School
Leland & Gray Union High School
Talent Scout
Sarah Grasso
School
LiHigh School
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Long Trail School
Talent Scout
Scott Magrath
School
Lyndon Institute
Talent Scout
Angela Ryan
School
Middlebury Union High School
Talent Scout
Stephen Darby
School
Middlebury Union High School
Talent Scout
Brittany Ambrosio
School
Mill River High School
Talent Scout
Dea Kimball
School
Mill River High School
Talent Scout
Shirl Harrington
School
Mill River High School
Talent Scout
Karen McCalla
School
Milton High School
Talent Scout
Nicole Martel
School
Missisquoi Valley Union High School
Talent Scout
Chris Blackburn
School
Montpelier High School
Talent Scout
Diana Koliander-Hart
School
Mount Abraham Union High School
Talent Scout
Maureen Deppman
School
Mount Anthony Union High School
Talent Scout
Jamie Jozefiak
School
Mount Anthony Union High School
Talent Scout
Tonia Bucciero
School
Mount Mansfield Union High School
Talent Scout
Kristen Barker
School
Mount St. Joseph Academy
Talent Scout
Marissa Euber
School
North Country Career Center
Talent Scout
Amy Pickering
School
North Country Union High School
Talent Scout
Meg Norman
School
Northfield High School
Talent Scout
Michelle Aftuck
School
Northwest Technical Center
Talent Scout
Susan Bosland
School
Otter Valley Union High School
Talent Scout
Danielle Bishop
School
Oxbow High School
Talent Scout
Hannah Calley
School
Pacem School
Talent Scout
Lexi Shear
School
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center
Talent Scout
Brenda Logee
School
Peoples Academy
Talent Scout
Moira Donovan
School
Poultney High School
Talent Scout
Tracy Gallipo
School
Proctor Jr/Sr High School
Talent Scout
Phyllis Currao
School
Putney School
Talent Scout
Kathy Wolfe
School
Randolph Technical Career Center
Talent Scout
Marie Conley
School
Randolph Union High School
Talent Scout
Lisa Floyd
School
Randolph Union High School
Talent Scout
Jamie Connor
School
Rice Memorial High School
Talent Scout
Kimberly Pushee Hill
School
Richford Jr/Sr High School
Talent Scout
Allison Witherspoon
School
Rivendell Academy
Talent Scout
Nancy Hall
School
River Bend Career & Technical Center
Talent Scout
Katherine Chobanian
School
River Valley Technical Center
Talent Scout
Terri Herzog
School
Rock Point School
Talent Scout
Jean Waltz
School
Rutland Area Christian School
Talent Scout
Robert Congdon
School
Rutland High School
Talent Scout
Amy Conn
School
Salem Central School
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Sharon Academy
Talent Scout
Wendy Bordeau
School
South Burlington High School
Talent Scout
Meghan Sweet
School
Southwest Vermont Career Development Center
Talent Scout
Lisa Harrington
School
Spaulding High School
Talent Scout
Margo Austin
School
Springfield High School
Talent Scout
Jason Touchette
School
St. Johnsbury Academy
Talent Scout
Sean Murphy
School
Stafford Technical Center
Talent Scout
Lori Cillo
School
Stanstead College
Talent Scout
Eryn Hessian
School
Stowe High School
Talent Scout
Lauren Conti
School
Stowe High School
Talent Scout
Jennifer Richter
School
Stowe High School
Talent Scout
Zachary Falls
School
Stratton Mountain School
Talent Scout
Alex Lehmann
School
Thetford Academy
Talent Scout
Mark Pichette
School
Twin Valley Middle High School
Talent Scout
Denise Piffard
School
Twinfield Union School
Talent Scout
Melissa Gosselin
School
U-32 High School
Talent Scout
Jessica Wills
School
United Christian Academy
Talent Scout
TBA
Email
TBA
School
Vergennes Union High School
Talent Scout
Anne Vincent
School
Vermont Academy
Talent Scout
Lorna Schilling
School
Vermont Commons School
Talent Scout
Jasmine Easter
School
West Rutland High School
Talent Scout
Lauren Louiselle
School
White River Valley High School
Talent Scout
Chris Cate
School
Williamstown Middle/High School
Talent Scout
Shelby Robinson
School
Windham Regional Career Ctr.
Talent Scout
Anne Doran
School
Windsor High School
Talent Scout
Kim Gogan
School
Winooski High School
Talent Scout
Jessica Handrick
School
Woodstock Union High School
Talent Scout
Joni Kennedy
School
Homeschool in Vermont
Talent Scout
GIV
School
Vermonters living out of state
Talent Scout
GIV
School
School in Vermont that is not listed
Talent Scout
GIV

 

 

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions about this list or your school contact!

Learn more about GIV by hearing it straight from our Alumni and Families in our video series!

See Our Videos On YouTube