June 2006 - Each year our motivated Vermont high-school students pay a tuition fee to attend The Governor's Institutes, but tuition is intentionally set significantly lower than the actual cost of providing the programs in order to attract as many students as possible. This results in a major gap in funding, a gap that, for 2006, we expect to amount to $85,795, or $204 per student. In addition, it is a fundamental policy of GIV that no student will be turned away because of financial need. Historically, 35 percent of the students attending have qualified for and been awarded financial aid to help cover part or all of that modest tuition fee. Funding for financial aid must come from grants and individual contributions. A total of 158 students received $49,327 in financial aid in 2005, $10,000 more than the previous year, all of which came from an Annual Fund appeal to individual donors and special foundation and corporate grants. There is no endowment to help support the Institutes.

For 2006, in addition to the general funding gap between tuition and actual cost, the financial aid funds to be awarded to needy Vermont students will amount to $70,000, substantially more than in 2005. As before, these funds must come from individual and business contributions, and grants from foundations and corporations. We are determined to adhere to our policy of providing whatever aid is required for students who are accepted in the Institutes, and you can help.

GIV has been an enormous success, significantly changing students' lives by expanding their horizons. By making a contribution to GIV you can help bring this unique opportunity to hundreds of Vermont high-school students from low-income families - students who represent the future of our state.

To make a contribution, please send a check to:

        The Governor's Institutes of Vermont
        660 Elm Street
        Montpelier, VT 05602

Jean Olson, Executive Director
giv@sover.net
(802) 229-4757