Congratulations and Welcome to Vermont Law and Graduate School!
This page contains useful information for incoming on-campus and online students.
The admissions staff is here to make your transition to Vermont as seamless and informative as possible. We encourage you to call or email us if you have any questions or need assistance locating information. Please reference the information below as it pertains to your chosen program.
We are excited to have you join our community!
Contact Information:
Toll-Free: 888-277-5985
Local: 802-831-1239
Email: [email protected]
For Recently Admitted On-Campus Students
Visit Vermont and VLGS
We offer campus tours during the week for admitted students!
Admitted Student Day
We will welcome admitted students on campus on Monday, April 8th, 2024 for Admitted Student Day. Register available soon!
Review Tuition & Financial Aid Information
Students who wish to be considered for federal loans must fill out a FAFSA. If you want to be considered for need-based aid you must also fill out the Need-Based Application here. Awards are electronically sent beginning in March and will continue on a rolling basis. Questions? [email protected]
Pay Tuition Deposits
The total deposit amount due is $750. This amount is split into two charges: The first deposit, in the amount of $250, is due by April 15th. The Second Deposit, in the amount of $500, is due by June 1st. These dates may change depending on when you are admitted, please review your admission letter to confirm. We encourage you to submit your Intent to Enroll and tuition deposits online. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, and eCheck. All deposits are non-refundable and will be credited towards the first-semester tuition.
Find Housing
Although VLGS does not offer on-campus housing, we maintain a housing website that hosts a searchable database of rental properties as a service to our students. The database is updated regularly. We strongly recommend setting up appointments with prospective landlords before visiting campus and securing housing well in advance of orientation. Students are responsible for finding their housing, but please reach out if you need assistance.
Brooke Knudsen
Community Relations, Housing, and Emergency Services Program Coordinator
802-831-1373 | [email protected]
Request Final Transcripts
All offers of admission are contingent upon receiving an official transcript from your degree-granting institution with the degree earned and date conferred. This must be sent to the Admissions Office prior to the first day of classes. JD students who applied through LSAC are required to update their LSAC account with a final transcript and do not need to mail an additional final copy to VLGS. If the transcript you applied with is your final transcript with a degree conferral date, you do not need to send it again.
Class Registration
Incoming JD students are automatically registered for classes and do not need to take any action. Class schedules are generally available on Campus Web prior to Orientation. Master’s and LLM students will register for classes with their adviser during Orientation.
Attend Orientation
We are excited to welcome you to Vermont Law and Graduate School starting on Monday, August 19, 2024. During orientation, you will receive key information needed for law school success. Please thoroughly review the welcome packets below which contain important details, including a preliminary Orientation schedule, Cornell Library, and Academic Success information, as well as accommodations and health and benefits resources.
Prior to Orientation:
- Class Registration: You will be registered for courses in early August. There is no action you need to take to be registered. You will also receive your VLGS email and credentials within a few weeks.
- Disabilities and other accommodations, Code of Conduct, and Sexual Assault Policy, Resources and Procedures: Please see the attached memorandum from Lisa Ryan, our Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and review the 2023-2024 Student Handbook online. Accommodation requests must be made prior to orientation. The 2024-2025 Student Handbook will be available in August and will contain any updates to these policies.
- Financial Aid: If you have any questions regarding your financial aid award or scholarship, please call our Financial Aid Office at 802-831-1235 or email [email protected]. If you are utilizing federal student aid (loans) and will be receiving a refund, the quickest way to receive your refund is through Direct Deposit. Students can sign up for direct deposit on the Financial Aid site when accepting financial aid packages.
- Textbooks: You will receive the textbook list when you are registered for classes. Barrister’s Book Shop, located on campus and online, will make getting your books, supplies, and study aids easy and economical. Barrister’s has the best selection of new and used books, and as a student-run non-profit, gives their proceeds back as fellowships for VLGS students. Please note: If you are receiving federal student aid (loans) you may be eligible for a textbook voucher. More information regarding this program will be sent directly from the Business Office.
- Child Care Information: Magic Mountain Daycare is the daycare center located near campus. For information about hours and rates, call 802-763-7908. For a list of other daycare options, call the Vermont Child Care Services Office at 802-241-3110. If you are in New Hampshire, call the Child Care Project of New Hampshire, which is a referral agency that deals solely with state-approved daycare providers at 603-646-3233.
- Health Insurance: Vermont Law and Graduate School does not require proof of insurance. Students living in Vermont and interested in insurance can visit Vermont’s health insurance marketplace for information and alternative health insurance resources. There, you’ll find:
You can also visit Vermont’s Medicaid website for additional information. However, please be advised that Medicaid plans are state-funded, meaning services outside of the state of enrollment are generally not covered. For instance, if you’re currently enrolled in NY Medicaid, services in VT may not be covered, and vice versa.
Students who receive federal loans may qualify for a budget increase to cover all or part of their insurance premiums. For further assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office at [email protected]. If we can answer any questions or be of assistance as you make your transition to Vermont, please don’t hesitate to call Admissions at 802-831-1239.
Deferment and Reapplication Policy
Vermont Law and Graduate School does not offer students the option to defer their enrollment to a subsequent year. If you are interested in joining us for the next enrollment year, you can request that we reactivate your application once that cycle begins. This will allow you to use your existing application documents saving you time and fees.
Additional documents may be requested. Once reactivated, your application will go through the admissions review process. Admission standards vary from year to year and a prior admission to VLGS does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year. Scholarships are never guaranteed. If you do not enroll in the following year from your initial application, a new application is required.
Student Health Insurance
Vermont Law School does not offer a student health insurance plan or require proof of coverage.
VLS encourages students to maintain health insurance coverage as students are highly susceptible to illness, injury, and infection and students are one of the most underinsured population groups.
Students can often choose between several health insurance options:
- Parent’s health insurance
- Medicare
- Marketplace-provided insurance (State programs or Vendors)
Options for health insurance for students living in Vermont can be found at: info.healthconnect.vermont.gov
Health Insurance FAQs
Q: Is there any dental or eye care coverage with the VLS Gallagher plans?
A: Generally speaking, there is no dental coverage offered under the VLS Gallagher plan, except accidental injury to natural teeth that requires hospital treatment. A discount vision plan is available through EyeMed Vision Care. A Basix Dental Savings plan is available through Gallagher. The Dental Savings Program is not dental insurance. Basix contracts with dentists who agree to charge a reduced fee to students covered under your Gallagher Student plan. Both the EyeMed Vision Care & Basix Dental Savings plan must be purchased by the Student, separate from the health insurance, via the insurance portal.
Q: What is meant by “out-of-pocket maximums”?
A: This refers to the total amount of money the subscriber will have to pay out of pocket towards their healthcare costs (not including the health insurance coverage premium). This maximum includes the deductible amount. For example:
A student who has single coverage under the Plan ends up with a hospital or outpatient surgery bill of $ 10,000 (using the participating provider network). The out-of-pocket costs for the student would be as follows:
| Student Pays | Blue Cross Pays |
| A. $750 Deductible | A. Nothing |
| B. The co-insurance will start and the student will be responsible for 20% of the remainder of the bill until the out-of-pocket maximum is reached (which is at the $5,500 point). | B. The co-insurance will start and NGL is responsible for 80% of the remainder of the bill until the out-of-pocket maximum is reached. |
| C. The student’s final bill will be $6,250, which is comprised of the $750 deductible and the rest of the out-of-pocket maximum due to reaching the maximum amount of $5,500. | C. The final bill paid by NGL to the healthcare provider is $8,500 ($10,000 minus the $6,250 provided by the student). |
Q: What is meant by “participating provider network”?
A: The participating provider network means as long as you have services provided by a physician/doctor or hospital that participates with Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk, the provider will submit your claims directly to Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk for payment. They should not ask you to pay any monies at the time of service.
Q: What is meant by “standard allowance”?
A: “Standard allowance” means the amount that Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk negotiates with their participating providers and hospitals. These providers agree to accept the standard allowance as payment in full and not bill the subscriber the difference between what they charged (i.e., $100) and the standard allowance (i.e., $80). The difference of $20 is taken off your bill. They can only bill you for the deductible and the 20% co-insurance amount.
Q: What is meant by “routine office visit”?
A: A routine office visit refers to the amount the Doctor charges for the use of his/her office. Routine Office Visits are paid at 100% after you pay your co-pay. It should be noted that labs and x-rays are not considered part of the routine office visit, and are billed as “hospital care” expense. This means that the cost of the lab or x-ray might apply towards your deductible and/or out-of-pocket maximum.
Q: How am I billed for this insurance?
A: Your annual insurance premium will be billed in two installments. You will receive a charge on your tuition account from Vermont Law School for the first installment (representing six months of coverage) prior to registration day in August. You will receive a charge for the second installment (representing six months of coverage) in January prior to the date that classes resume for the spring semester.
Q: Will you deduct my insurance payment from my student aid?
A: Yes, if your student aid is in excess of the tuition charge, and you have submitted a non-allowable charges form giving us permission to deduct this miscellaneous charge. Otherwise, we will look to you for payment.
Q: Do I need to renew this insurance policy every year?
A: Yes. Both enrollment in the Gallagher student insurance plan and waiving of the Gallagher student insurance plan must be renewed at the start of each academic year, regardless of when you enrolled/ waived during the previous academic year.
Q: May I change to a different plan?
A: Yes, however, you may change plans only in August for an effective date of September 1st each year. This time frame is referred to as the open enrollment period.
Q: I’m getting married in October. May I add my spouse to my plan?
A: Yes, you must submit a “Petition to Add” form via the insurance portal. Forms must be submitted within 30 days following your wedding.
Q: Does the VLS Gallagher plan cover domestic partners?
A: Yes, but the partner may be added only during the open enrollment period each year (Aug 1-Aug 31).
Q: How do I add my newborn to the plan?
A: You must complete a “Petition to Add” Form showing the child’s name and social security within 30 days ( i.e., within 30 days after the birth or adoption of a child).
For Recently Admitted Online Hybrid JD Students
Next Steps: Watch Your Mailbox
A hard copy of your VLGS acceptance letter will be mailed to you. Some employers need to see a formal acceptance letter to authorize employee educational benefits, so keep a copy of this letter for your records.
Review Tuition and Financial Aid Information
Students who wish to be considered for federal loans must fill out a FAFSA. If you want to be considered for need-based aid you must also fill out the Need-Based Application at myfinaid.vermontlaw.edu. Awards are electronically sent beginning in March and will continue on a rolling basis. The Vermont Law and Graduate School FAFSA code is G11934. Questions? [email protected] or call 802-831-1234.
Pay Tuition Deposits
The full $750 deposit must be paid in a single payment by the date provided on your offer letter. Please review your admission letter to confirm. We encourage you to submit your Intent to Enroll and tuition deposits online. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, and eCheck. All deposits are non-refundable and will be credited towards the first-semester tuition.
Request Final Transcripts
All offers of admission are contingent upon receiving an official transcript from your degree-granting institution with the degree earned and date conferred. This must be mailed to the Admissions Office prior to the first day of classes. JD students who applied through LSAC are required to update their LSAC account with a final transcript and do not need to mail an additional final copy to VLGS. If the transcript you applied with is a final transcript with a degree conferral date on it, you do not need to re-send it.
Class Registration
Incoming JD students are automatically registered for classes and do not need to take any action. Class schedules are generally available on Campus Web prior to Orientation.
Attend Virtual Online Orientation
Orientation will be held virtually during the week of August 21-25, 2023. Orientation will be held synchronously on Microsoft Teams 6:00 PM-9:00 PM EST. All students should plan to be available that Monday through Friday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST. There will also be some additional sessions that will be in an asynchronous format.
Plan to Attend the First Residential Classes
The Online Hybrid JD program has the most minimal residency requirement. Students only need to come to campus three times over the entire three-year plus one-semester program.
The first residential classes will be held in September at a school-selected hotel located in Burlington, VT. Students will be required to stay at the same hotel. The details and schedule will be emailed to fully deposited students closer to the time of orientation.
The second residency requirement will be for 4 days (Thursday through Sunday) during the 6th semester and the 3rd and final residency requirement will be for 4 days (Thursday through Sunday) during the 10th semester.
Burlington, Vermont is easily accessible by Burlington International Airport, Greyhound, Megabus , Amtrak , and Lake Champlain Ferries (seasonal).
Buy Your Books
An online bookstore awaits you. You will be able to purchase your textbooks for your courses through our online bookstore: Barristers Bookstore. Be certain to order your books early, as shipping may take a few days.
Billing Information
Online Hybrid JD students may contact the Business Office for questions about billing.
For Recently Admitted Online Program Students
Next Steps: Watch Your Mailbox
Your formal VLGS Acceptance is coming! A hard copy of your VLGS acceptance letter will be mailed to you. Some employers need to see a formal acceptance letter to authorize employee educational benefits, so keep a copy of this letter for your records.
Let Us Know You’re Coming
If you haven’t already, please complete your Intent to Enroll today. You should submit this form within 30 days of your semester start date.
Financial Aid Forms
Complete your FAFSA. If you have not already done so, please complete your FAFSA (utilizing your prior year’s tax return information). Please be sure that the numbers on your FAFSA form exactly match those on your tax return and submit your FAFSA no later than a month before classes begin. You may submit your FAFSA online. The Vermont Law and Graduate School FAFSA code is G11934.
If you have any questions about your financial aid, please email [email protected] or call 802-831-1234.
Update: Students who are Veterans must file a FAFSA form this year in order for us to process your VA benefits.
We must receive your FAFSA to process any financial aid requests. Once processed, you will receive a financial aid award letter and Loan Request Form sent to you. These documents are sent to your VLGS email if you’re a returning student or to your personal email address provided on your application if you are a new student.
Make sure to complete and return the Loan Request Form and go to studentaid.gov to complete mandatory Entrance Counseling and sign your Master Promissory Note. Detailed instructions will accompany your award letter. If you don’t complete the necessary forms and steps, your financial aid may not be awarded and you may not be able to participate in the program.
CampusWeb
Your online portal to VLGS offices will be CampusWeb. Shortly after being admitted to the program and upon receipt of your Intent to Enroll Form, the VLGS Technology Department will automatically create a VLGS email account for you.
You will receive an email at your personal email address (provided by you in your application) which will contain connection and initial login information for your new VLGS email account. When you first log into VLGS email, you will be prompted to change your temporary password; when complete, you will see an email in your inbox from our system waiting for you. This email will provide links to VLGS resources and online forms.
It is important from this point forward, all communication from Vermont Law and Graduate School will be sent to your newly created VLGS email address. In addition, we also require that you utilize your Vermont Law and Graduate School email when you are communicating with various offices on campus.
Once you have logged into your VLGS email account and changed your initial/temporary password, you will have access. CampusWeb is a comprehensive system that allows you to register for classes, access your account information, pay tuition online, and much more.
Business Office Forms
Using your CampusWeb login, please fill out and return the Information Release and Non Allowable Charges forms to the VLGS business office. These completed, signed forms may be emailed as an attachment to [email protected], faxed to 802-831-1171, or mailed to the Business Office, Vermont Law and Graduate School, PO Box 96, South Royalton, VT 05068. These forms must be received before your tuition payment can be fully processed, so please leave sufficient time for processing.
Register for Classes
Registration is open! Please log into CampusWeb and register yourself for your semester term 1 and term 2 classes. Access to registration is located on the left-hand side of the screen under Registration. There are detailed instructions: you will want to follow the Online Course Registration Instructions. In searching for online courses, there are separate listings for Term 1 and Term 2, so be sure to select the appropriate term and then search. If you have any questions about registration or your program requirements, the online Enrollment Advisor can provide you with detailed instructions, assistance, or guidance. It is important to register for classes as early as possible, so your tuition bill will be accurately reflected prior to the start of class.
Accessing Your Bill
Before accessing your tuition bill, you will need to retrieve your student ID number. You will need this number to pay your bill via the online payment site. Once logged into CampusWeb , please click on Audit Run under the Advising Heading on the left side. Here you will find your Vermont Law and Graduate School Student ID (6-Digit) number.
Pay Your Tuition Bill
After registering for classes, your tuition invoice will be available on CampusWeb . Any Financial Aid information should be available in the Financial Aid Office Tab: if your FAFSA form has been completed, you should be able to see your anticipated financial aid award on your account. If you do not see your anticipated financial aid, please call or email the Financial Aid Office at 802-831-1234.
Tuition is due 5 PM Eastern, the Thursday before the start of your class. If your Tuition Bill is not addressed before this time, you will not be enrolled in the Canvas platform. You will be asked to address any outstanding tuition prior to being enrolled in the Canvas platform.
Any remaining balance can be reviewed in the Business Office tab. Once logged into CampusWeb using your VLGS credentials, on the left-hand side of the Business Office page, click the link for My Billing Info, then in the right-hand column, click Go to Cashnet. You should be redirected to a secure page within the CashNet online payment system.
Once on the secure page, if you have a balance due it should show up. If you don’t have a balance due, your balance should show up as $0. Balances on this secure online payment system are updated every 24-48 hours.
The online payment system will advise you of a convenience fee charge when making a payment with a credit card. This charge only applies to residential students. As a distance learning student, you will not be charged the convenience fee when you “check out” because the system will recognize you as a DL student.
Provide 1098-T Information
Every January, Vermont Law and Graduate School prepares 1098-T tax forms for students for the previous tax year of enrollment. Tax information is reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) based on an individual’s social security number. Email is not a secure means to submit your social security number. Vermont Law and Graduate School has created a secure link for Distance Learning students to submit their social security number.
Please follow the link and submit your social security number as soon as possible to avoid any delays in having your tax information reported, or being able to access your form online next year.
Review Contact Information
Please review your current mailing address and telephone number as it appears in the CampusWeb portal. You will find your personal information under the My Profile heading on the left side. This current mailing address will be used to mail out refund checks, if applicable, and your 1098-T tax form.
If the current mailing address is wrong in the CampusWeb portal, please send an address update email to [email protected]. Please note that it will take 24-48 hours for the update to appear.
Buy Your Books
An online bookstore awaits you. You will be able to purchase your textbooks for your courses through our online bookstore: Barristers Bookstore. Be certain to order your books early, as shipping may take a few days.
Student Identifications
If you wish to have a student identification card from Vermont Law and Graduate School, please request a student ID using the online form.
The Online Classroom
After you have registered for your first term class(es) in CampusWeb, you will be loaded into the distance learning electronic classroom software. This software, called a “Learning Management System”, or LMS (referred to as Canvas), provides the website classroom and tools for your online experience at Vermont Law and Graduate School. It is a great idea to bookmark the platform page so you can easily access the online classroom. Your VLGS credentials will allow you access to Canvas.
Orientation
You will be enrolled in an Orientation Module that starts one week prior to the start of your first class – the Enrollment Advisor will remind you when that Orientation is due to start. This orientation is an online introduction to the Vermont Law and Graduate School, the online platform, and various expectations, policies, and school codes. This course is required and self-guided and you must complete it before the start of your first class.
The orientation course has two goals. First, to acquaint you with Vermont Law and Graduate School, the school’s programs and philosophy, and to help you review key concepts that will become important to your first set of classes. Second, we want you to have an opportunity to work within the online classroom, experimenting with the different technologies you and your professors will employ. While “assignments” within the orientation are not graded, they must be completed.
Your Enrollment Advisor will be watching to make sure all tasks are completed successfully. By completing the orientation, we will help you sort out any kinks in accessing the online classroom technologies and help you be as prepared as possible for your first class. The orientation course will remain accessible to you throughout your studies so you may refer back to it as necessary.
Looking Ahead – Summer Session
We encourage you to explore Vermont Law and Graduate School’s World-Renowned Summer Session (on-campus residential). This program, which takes place on the campus of Vermont Law and Graduate School in beautiful South Royalton, Vermont, includes over 50 two and three-week classes on environmental law and policy topics.
