A Lifesaving Opportunity

Jesse Rose always had the desire to pursue an education after high school. “I always wanted to go to college, but never had the opportunity,” he said. That is, until he heard about 802 Opportunity.  “I would not be at CCV without 802 Opportunity. It’s not only given me the chance to go to college, it’s given me the chance at a new life.”

Jesse had a difficult childhood, living through traumas that impacted his ability to concentrate in school and caused lasting effects into adulthood, including mental health struggles, PTSD, and low self-confidence. “I just always thought that I wouldn’t have the intellectual ability to do well in college,” he said. So, after graduating high school he jumped into the workforce, working as a government contractor in a variety of positions for over 22 years before an injury and associated PTSD caused him to file for disability. 

Looking to the next phase of his life, Jesse heard about 802 Opportunity and felt it was the right time to rekindle his love of learning and attend college, without the worry of going into debt.

802 Opportunity is a program offered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) and CCV that aims to make college more accessible and affordable. Through 802 Opportunity, Vermonters with a family income of $100,000 or less can attend CCV tuition-free. Vermonters of all ages are eligible but cannot already have a bachelor’s degree.

“802 Opportunity was created as an investment in Vermont families with the belief that, when cost is removed as a barrier, students will invest in themselves, their communities, and their future,” said CCV Director of Financial Aid Ryan Dulude. “The expansion of 802 Opportunity to families with incomes of $100,000 or less only builds on that belief and now helps more than 70% of Vermonters attain an accessible, high-quality, and affordable education to advance their educational and career goals.” Since its inception in 2021, the 802 Opportunity income eligibility threshold has doubled to $100,000 from its original income threshold of $50,000. Since last fall, nearly 2,800 CCV students have received support from 802 Opportunity.

After learning about this chance to go to college tuition-free, Jesse applied to CCV and started taking classes in 2022. “It was difficult at first,” he said. But, the supportive faculty and staff at CCV helped him access the tools he needed to succeed in his classes and pushed him to continue on. “I was actually thinking about quitting and I’m so glad I didn’t.” As he started to do well in his classes, Jesse’s confidence in himself and his abilities grew. “My biggest apprehension was thinking that I wasn’t intelligent enough to make it,” he said. “I’m really glad that I decided to try it.”

While gaining a degree or certificate can help a student start a new job, upskill, or transfer to a four-year school, for Jesse, going to college isn’t just about the end goal, but also about the journey. Starting college at 58 years old, with the plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in the future, has been about his love of learning and the positive impact that being a student has made on his life. “This has been the joy that keeps me going. Without 802 Opportunity, I don’t think I would be doing as good as I am mentally,” Jesse said. “It’s kind of been life saving for me in that aspect. I really have a lot to live for and I never could have said that before.” 

CCV has provided Jesse with a new interest in literature (which is driving him to write a book about his life), a supportive community, and a renewed outlook on life. “I would recommend CCV to everyone that can go there, and the reason is, is because it’s life changing…it’s going to open up the world for people,” he said. “I feel so thankful that I live in the state of Vermont and I’m very thankful for 802 Opportunity and the people that made this possible. I can’t imagine life without it.”