Resources for Students

Are you a Vermont high school student looking for an adventure in learning? Use these resources to learn more about what the GIV experience are all about.

“ 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:

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

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!

2024 Institute Overviews & Promotional Materials

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!

GIV Ambassadors at Area Schools

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

GIV Ambassadors are our partners at almost every Vermont-area school. Ambassadors represent us and are available to support you in the application process. 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– contact us directly any time at [email protected].

Contact Your GIV School Ambassador

School
Ambassador Name
Ambassador Email
School
Arlington Memorial High School
Ambassador Name
Joanna Lederer-Barnes
Ambassador Email
School
Bellows Falls Union High School
Ambassador Name
Andrea Carlson
Ambassador Email
School
BFA – Fairfax
Ambassador Name
Katherine McElroy
Ambassador Email
School
BFA – St. Albans
Ambassador Name
Stephanie Hodgeman
Ambassador Email
School
Blue Mountain Union School
Ambassador Name
Dawn Blanchard
Ambassador Email
School
Brattleboro Union High School
Ambassador Name
Tessa Anders
Ambassador Email
School
Burke Mountain Academy
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Burlington High School
Ambassador Name
Shannon Walters
Ambassador Email
School
Burlington Technical Center
Ambassador Name
James Yepez
Ambassador Email
School
Burr and Burton Academy
Ambassador Name
Emily Kohler
Ambassador Email
School
Cabot School
Ambassador Name
Sue Polen
Ambassador Email
School
Canaan High School
Ambassador Name
Kara Sweatt
Ambassador Email
School
Center For Technology, Essex
Ambassador Name
Heidi McLaughlin
Ambassador Email
School
Center for Technology, Essex
Ambassador Name
Emmy Charron
Ambassador Email
School
Central Vermont Career Center
Ambassador Name
Abbey Allen
Ambassador Email
School
Champlain Valley Union HS
Ambassador Name
Susie Moakley
Ambassador Email
School
Colchester High School
Ambassador Name
Julie Pastore
Ambassador Email
School
Compass School
Ambassador Name
Eric Rhomberg
Ambassador Email
School
Craftsbury Academy
Ambassador Name
Sally Guebara
Ambassador Email
School
Danville High School
Ambassador Name
Simon Fisher
Ambassador Email
School
East Burke School
Ambassador Name
Megan Durling
Ambassador Email
School
East Valley Academy
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Enosburg Falls High School
Ambassador Name
Sally Bashaw
Ambassador Email
School
Essex High School
Ambassador Name
Siobhan Barber
Ambassador Email
School
Fair Haven Union High School
Ambassador Name
Karla Ramey
Ambassador Email
School
Granville Junior/Senior High School
Ambassador Name
Erin Rueckert
Ambassador Email
School
Granville Junior/Senior High School
Ambassador Name
Elisha Mittleman
Ambassador Email
School
Green Mountain Tech & Career Ctr.
Ambassador Name
Meaghan Parker
Ambassador Email
School
Green Mountain Union High School
Ambassador Name
Christa Valente
Ambassador Email
School
Green Mountain Valley School
Ambassador Name
Kerry Jackson
Ambassador Email
School
Greenwood School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Groveton High School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Hanover High School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Hartford Area Career and Tech Center
Ambassador Name
Tim Hebert
Ambassador Email
School
Hartford High School
Ambassador Name
Andersen Thorp
Ambassador Email
School
Harwood Union High School
Ambassador Name
Erin Dezell
Ambassador Email
School
Harwood Union High School
Ambassador Name
Randy Sweeney
Ambassador Email
School
Harwood Union High School
Ambassador Name
Maggie Weintraub
Ambassador Email
School
Hazen Union School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Lake Champlain Waldorf High School
Ambassador Name
Aaron Darland
Ambassador Email
School
Lake Champlain Waldorf High School
Ambassador Name
Maeve Taylor
Ambassador Email
School
Lake Region Union High School
Ambassador Name
Tim Chamberlin
Ambassador Email
School
Lamoille Union High School
Ambassador Name
Debbie Zmich
Ambassador Email
School
Leland & Gray Union High School
Ambassador Name
Sarah Grasso
Ambassador Email
School
LiHigh School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Long Trail School
Ambassador Name
Scott Magrath
Ambassador Email
School
Lyndon Institute
Ambassador Name
Miranda Fox
Ambassador Email
School
Lyndon Institute
Ambassador Name
Peg Hale
Ambassador Email
School
Middlebury Union High School
Ambassador Name
Adrien Preston
Ambassador Email
School
Middlebury Union High School
Ambassador Name
Brittany Ambrosio
Ambassador Email
School
Middlebury Union High School
Ambassador Name
Emily Schademan
Ambassador Email
School
Mill River High School
Ambassador Name
Shirl Harrington
Ambassador Email
School
Milton High School
Ambassador Name
Michael Abbott
Ambassador Email
School
Missisquoi Valley Union High School
Ambassador Name
Chris Blackburn
Ambassador Email
School
Montpelier High School
Ambassador Name
Diana Koliander-Hart
Ambassador Email
School
Mount Abraham Union High School
Ambassador Name
Maureen Deppman
Ambassador Email
School
Mount Anthony Union High School
Ambassador Name
Jamie Jozefiak
Ambassador Email
School
Mount Anthony Union High School
Ambassador Name
Tonia Bucciero
Ambassador Email
School
Mount Mansfield Union High School
Ambassador Name
Kristen Barker
Ambassador Email
School
Mount St. Joseph Academy
Ambassador Name
Marissa Euber
Ambassador Email
School
North Branch School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
North Country Career Center
Ambassador Name
Amy Pickering
Ambassador Email
School
North Country Union High School
Ambassador Name
Meg Norman
Ambassador Email
School
Northfield High School
Ambassador Name
Michelle Aftuck
Ambassador Email
School
Northwest Technical Center
Ambassador Name
Susan Bosland
Ambassador Email
School
Oak Meadow High School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Otter Valley Union High School
Ambassador Name
Meredith McCartney
Ambassador Email
School
Oxbow High School
Ambassador Name
Bernadette Smith
Ambassador Email
School
Oxbow High School
Ambassador Name
Hannah Calley
Ambassador Email
School
Pacem School
Ambassador Name
Lexi Shear
Ambassador Email
School
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center
Ambassador Name
Brenda Logee
Ambassador Email
School
Peoples Academy
Ambassador Name
Moira Donovan
Ambassador Email
School
Peoples Academy
Ambassador Name
Rita Ciambra
Ambassador Email
School
Poultney High School
Ambassador Name
Tracy Gallipo
Ambassador Email
School
Proctor Jr/Sr High School
Ambassador Name
Phyllis Currao
Ambassador Email
School
Putney School
Ambassador Name
Kathy Wolfe
Ambassador Email
School
Randolph Technical Career Center
Ambassador Name
Kate Noonkester
Ambassador Email
School
Randolph Union High School
Ambassador Name
Lisa Floyd
Ambassador Email
School
Rice Memorial High School
Ambassador Name
Kimberly Pushee Hill
Ambassador Email
School
Rice Memorial High School
Ambassador Name
Rachel Rabbin
Ambassador Email
School
Richford Jr/Sr High School
Ambassador Name
Allison Witherspoon
Ambassador Email
School
Rivendell Academy
Ambassador Name
Nancy Hall
Ambassador Email
School
River Bend Career & Technical Center
Ambassador Name
Katherine Chobanian
Ambassador Email
School
River Valley Technical Center
Ambassador Name
Terri Herzog
Ambassador Email
School
Rock Point School
Ambassador Name
Jean Waltz
Ambassador Email
School
Rutland Area Christian School
Ambassador Name
Robert Congdon
Ambassador Email
School
Rutland High School
Ambassador Name
Amy Conn
Ambassador Email
School
Salem Central School
Ambassador Name
TBA
Ambassador Email
TBA
School
Sharon Academy
Ambassador Name
Wendy Bordeau
Ambassador Email
School
South Burlington High School
Ambassador Name
Meghan Sweet
Ambassador Email
School
Southwest Vermont Career Development Center
Ambassador Name
Lisa Harrington
Ambassador Email
School
Spaulding High School
Ambassador Name
Margo Austin
Ambassador Email
School
Springfield High School
Ambassador Name
Jason Touchette
Ambassador Email
School
St. Johnsbury Academy
Ambassador Name
Sean Murphy
Ambassador Email
School
Stafford Technical Center
Ambassador Name
Melissa Theis
Ambassador Email
School
Stanstead College
Ambassador Name
Eryn Hessian
Ambassador Email
School
Stowe High School
Ambassador Name
Jennifer Richter
Ambassador Email
School
Stowe High School
Ambassador Name
Lauren Conti
Ambassador Email
School
Stratton Mountain School
Ambassador Name
Alex Lehmann
Ambassador Email
School
Thetford Academy
Ambassador Name
Mark Pichette
Ambassador Email
School
Twin Valley Middle High School
Ambassador Name
Denise Piffard
Ambassador Email
School
Twinfield Union School
Ambassador Name
Melissa Gosselin
Ambassador Email
School
U-32 High School
Ambassador Name
Jessica Wills
Ambassador Email
School
United Christian Academy
Ambassador Name
Michele Geib
Ambassador Email
School
Vergennes Union High School
Ambassador Name
Anne Vincent
Ambassador Email
School
Vermont Academy
Ambassador Name
Lorna Schilling
Ambassador Email
School
Vermont Commons School
Ambassador Name
Jasmine Easter
Ambassador Email
School
West Rutland High School
Ambassador Name
Lauren Louiselle
Ambassador Email
School
White River Valley High School
Ambassador Name
Chris Cate
Ambassador Email
School
Williamstown Middle/High School
Ambassador Name
Aubrie Howard
Ambassador Email
School
Windham Regional Career Ctr.
Ambassador Name
Anne Doran
Ambassador Email
School
Windsor High School
Ambassador Name
Kim Gogan
Ambassador Email
School
Winooski High School
Ambassador Name
Jessica Handrick
Ambassador Email
School
Woodstock Union High School
Ambassador Name
Joni Kennedy
Ambassador Email
School
Woodstock Union High School
Ambassador Name
Sofia Bertocci
Ambassador Email
School
Homeschool in Vermont
Ambassador Name
GIV
Ambassador Email
School
Vermonters living out of state
Ambassador Name
GIV
Ambassador Email
School
School in Vermont that is not listed
Ambassador Name
GIV
Ambassador Email

 

 

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