President's Common Ground Scholarship

Support a vibrant, equitable, affordable, and accessible education at UVM

More than 80% of students receive financial aid, so there is a tremendous need for more donors to support scholarships. And with the ongoing crisis that the coronavirus has caused in our economy, more students need your help now.

Consider designating your gift to the President’s Common Ground Scholarship, which awards scholarships to students who make UVM a more diverse community. We need our donors to be champions for our students and for diversity on our campus.

To get you inspired, here's the story of one student who has benefited from a scholarship - one that changed her life forever.


It was meant to be

Micayla Nadeau-Williams ’22 is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, with majors in Sociology and Economics and a minor in Music. She has plans to go to law school after graduation.

Originally from Maryland, Micayla cast a wide net when she was applying to college. Coming from a single parent household, she knew that finding the right intersection of financial aid, an excellent education, and a welcoming community, would not be easy.

Here’s how Micayla describes how she and her Mom decided:

“I didn’t want money to be the only reason I chose a school. But, I knew that it was going to be a big expense, and especially with me already looking ahead and planning for grad school. I couldn’t afford for undergrad to be a huge cost to me and my Mom. So, when I was awarded a scholarship to attend UVM, I knew this was meant to be.”


You can make that magical moment a reality for more students 

Our students need you and your generous gift ensures that students can pursue their dreams and join our remarkable UVM community.

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Finding My Community

Micayla knew she wanted to be in Vermont for college, even though she had never visited UVM, because she had family nearby in Colchester.

But she also knew that family was not the only support system that she would need to get through school.

“You’re going to college, and it’s going to be 4 years of your life. You can’t rely on just your family to get you through, and I knew I didn’t want this to be a place where I just spent my time in my room. So, as soon as I was on campus, I started looking for my community here.”

From the UVM Beekeepers club, to the Womyn of Color Coalition, to getting a job with the UVM Program Board, she dove in to building relationships with her classmates and community at UVM.


Gratitude for an Act of Kindness

Micayla is just one student out of many who have the opportunity to come to UVM because of the generosity of scholarship donors. And just like all of our scholarship recipients, she is incredibly grateful to donors:

“None of this, of course, would be possible without you. I would never have been able to experience all that UVM has to offer without the financial assistance that you provided me with. Please know that your kindness has had a significant impact on me, my family, and my college experience. I am genuinely grateful for your act of kindness.”

Please consider a gift today to the President's Common Ground Scholarship to help more students like Micayla.


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