FAQs & Resources

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

Finance Questions

• Am I eligible for a scholarship?

  All students admitted into a Champlain bachelor’s degree program are automatically considered for one of Champlain’s merit-based scholarships. These scholarships focus on students who exemplify excellence in academics and engagement outside the classroom.

  All accepted students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be considered for Champlain’s need-based scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need to allow the College to enroll the brightest, most diverse students, regardless of family income. Champlain reviews each student individually and awards scholarships that match the student’s level of achievement, need, and other characteristics.

  For more information, contact Champlain College Compass Student Services at (802) 860-2777 or compass@champlain.edu.

• When is my deposit due?

  If you’ve decided that Champlain is the school for you, simply submit a secure online payment for your enrollment deposit, and you are officially a Champlain College student. To confirm your Spring 2026 enrollment and reserve your place as a full-time first-year or transfer student, please submit your $500 deposit by the due date on your acceptance letter.

  Tuition for the spring semester is due December 1, 2025. If you have been admitted after that date, you will be sent a note about when your bill is available to view and when payment is due. You can find more information regarding tuition and fees, deposits, or payment plans or by contacting Compass Student Services at compass@champlain.edu or (802) 860-2777.

• I’d like to set up a bank account in Burlington. Which banks are close to campus?

  Banks within walking distance to campus are listed below:

  • TD Bank (A TD Bank ATM machine is located on campus)
  • Citizens Bank

  Champlain College has a CC Cash Card that functions as a debit card and is accepted by merchants on and off campus.

  Get more information about ID/Cash Card.

• Do I have to purchase health insurance? Where do I go if I get sick?

  Champlain College requires that all students be covered by health insurance, and the fee for this coverage is automatically added to your bill unless you specifically waive the insurance and provide proof of coverage. Read more about Full-Time Student Health & Accident Insurance and how to waive the college plan if you have coverage. We have an on-campus health services office that is staffed by a nurse and a physician, who have regular clinic hours.

Academic Questions

• Does Champlain College accept Advanced Placement (AP) credits or college credits from other institutions?

  Yes, depending on the score and AP exam that a student has taken.

  Test	Score	Credit
  AP Computer Science A	3,4,5	CSI 150
  AP Computer Science Principles	3,4,5	CSI 100
  AP Stats	3,4,5	MTH 180
  AP Calculus AB	3	MTH 125
  AP Calculus AB	4,5	MTH 230
  AP Calculus BC	3	MTH 125
  AP Calculus BC	4,5	MTH 230 and MTH 240

  In order to be granted the credits, Champlain must receive notification of the AP score. If you have taken any AP exams, have an official score report sent to the Office of Admissions in August.

  If a student earns a C or better in a course at another institution, the credit will be awarded. If you have taken courses at another college, please have that institution send an official transcript. Any courses completed on a college campus must have an official transcript for credit to be granted.

  MAIL TRANSCRIPT(S) AND/OR AP SCORES TO:

  Champlain College
  Office of Admissions
  P.O. Box 670
  Burlington, VT 05402

• Where can I find course descriptions?

  See our complete listing of course descriptions by searching for the program in question in our Undergraduate Catalog.

• What kinds of academic support are available?

  Champlain offers a wide range of resources to help you meet all of your academic goals!

  First, our Academic Coaching and Peer Tutoring Center offers amazing academic support options. Our professional Academic Coaches are available by appointment to collaborate with you to build up your skills, find time management strategies that fit your style, increase your confidence, and design a plan that will help you make college work for you.

  Our on-campus Peer Tutoring centers (Game Design, Game Art, Animation, Math, Writing, Programming, Cybersecurity, and Digital Forensics) are open for drop-in hours throughout the week. Additionally, you have access to 24/7 online tutoring through Brainfuse. And we can’t forget about our award-winning librarians, who are second to none when it comes to academic guidance!

  We also recognize how important mental health is to your academic performance, and we make a point to offer stress-management techniques and fun programs, like therapy dogs around midterms and finals.

  We are here to help you get the most out of your valuable college education and build skills for a successful future.

  Check out all the opportunities Champlain has to offer here.

• When and where can I purchase my books?

  Once you have your Fall schedule, you may order your textbooks. With your course schedule in hand, visit the Campus Store’s website. Click on the “Books” tab, then continue through the directions to “Search by Course.”

  Once you have selected your term, department, course number, and section, you’ll be able to view all required books. Make sure your section numbers match your schedule. You’ll have the option to buy or rent books new or used based on availability. All options can be purchased in the store or online.

  When purchasing online, you can choose between free shipping or picking up your books when you get to campus. If you choose in-store pickup, you just need to bring your Champlain College ID card to the bookstore. Note that we do not ship to residence halls, the campus mailroom, or any other on-campus location.

  If you choose to wait and order your books when you get to campus after the semester starts, the staff at the Campus Store will help you out. If we’re out of stock for a book you need, we’ll put in a special order and pay for the shipping. Talk to a team member if you need help.

  How To Rent Your Textbooks:
  The Campus Store has almost all books available to rent. To rent a book, you need to bring a credit or debit card, along with a valid ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID card). All rented books must be returned to the Campus Store by the last day of finals for each semester. If a rental is not returned at the end of the semester, you will be charged the difference between the rental cost and purchase price.

  Return Policy:
  All books, with a receipt and in resalable condition, can be returned to the Campus Store within seven days after the start of the semester. If you add/drop a course, you can exchange or return books within 30 days as long as you show valid paperwork.

  Campus Store Price Matching:
  When buying or renting textbooks, if you find a book somewhere else locally or online for less, we will match the price.

• How can I find out information about computer requirements?

  Although Champlain has public workstations and computer labs available across campus, most students do arrive at Champlain with their own computer to take advantage of Champlain’s extensive WiFi network and gigabit internet service.

  If you are going to purchase a new computer before arriving at Champlain, please visit our Recommended Computer Specifications page to see recommendations by Academic Division and major.

• If I am interested in studying abroad, what should I do?

  Plan ahead! Whether you’re looking to spend a semester or a full year studying abroad, you’ll want to meet with your Advisor sooner rather than later. They will help you plan your academic schedule to incorporate the study-abroad program of your choice.

  Learn more about all of our study-abroad opportunities here.

• Who should I contact if I have questions about my major or changing my major?

  You should direct any questions you have about your major to your Program Director.

Residential Life Questions

• What are the residence halls like, and how do I choose one?

  All first-year students are housed in one of the restored Victorian-era mansion residence halls located right on or very close to Main Campus. Each one is fully loaded with all the amenities, including high-speed internet connectivity and laundry facilities.

  Sophomore and upper-class students can choose to live in one of our restored Victorian-era mansions or one of our contemporary-style residence halls. Upper-class students have the additional option of 194 St Paul Street, our apartment-style residence hall.

  • Find out more about each residence hall option on our Residence Hall page.
  • After you submit your enrollment deposit and activate your Champlain College Student account, you’ll be able to log in to The Housing Director (THD) and complete your Spring Housing Application. You will receive an email from Residential Life that provides instructions for completing the application. Please note that you will not be able to access THD until after your Champlain account activation is complete.
• When will I find out my housing assignment?

  Housing assignments for the spring term will be made in early January, and will be viewable on your THD home page. You will also receive an email with your housing assignment. Please note that you will not be able to access THD until after you have activated your Champlain College Student account.

• What do I need for my room?

  Each room is furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, a dresser, and closet space for each resident. You supply your own linens, including a pillow and a mattress pad to fit a 36″ x 80″ (extra long) mattress.

  All rooms are equipped with overhead lights, although most students prefer a study lamp (no halogen lights, please). Wastebaskets are provided in bathrooms but not in individual rooms. For more information and a detailed list, visit the Housing page.

• Is my personal property secure in my room?

  Theft is rare on our campus, however, because the possibility exists, you should consider leaving extremely valuable items at home and bringing a desk lock for computer equipment. We strongly recommend that students carry insurance for their personal belongings. Often this insurance is part of the family’s homeowner’s policy. Champlain College is not responsible for student property.

• What is the guest policy in residence halls?

  Typically, guests are welcome in residence halls Sunday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Friday – Saturday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

  All guests must be visiting a particular person in the residence hall, and the person hosting the guest is responsible for the guest at all times. Guests may stay overnight with agreement from other room occupants; however, each guest may stay a maximum of two nights total each semester. Students and guests must sleep in a room, not a lounge.

• Who oversees my residence hall?

  Your first points of contact will be the Area Coordinators for your area and Resident Assistants in your residence hall. They can usually help you quickly with any concerns you have.

  The major responsibilities of the Residential Life staff are to oversee the day-to-day operation of the buildings, develop personal relationships with each resident, and help students become part of the College community.

  All Residential Life staff members know about College resources and can make appropriate referrals for students when necessary. Additionally, Residential Life staff members are responsible for clarifying and implementing the residential rules and regulations of the College as published in the College Catalog. Families and students are encouraged to contact Residential Life staff members whenever they have a concern.

• If I am living on campus, can I bring a car?

  If you are a first-year student, no – you are not permitted to bring a car to campus. For everyone else, there are important rules and restrictions to be aware of when deciding whether or not to bring a car.

  Champlain College is located in a residential neighborhood in Burlington, so parking on campus and surrounding streets is extremely limited. In an effort to make the most efficient use of our parking spaces and to maintain the good relations we enjoy with our neighbors, Champlain has developed a strict campus parking policy that applies to everyone: students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

  All vehicles parked in on-street parking spaces and in lots owned or operated by Champlain College must have a valid parking permit, properly displayed, for the lot or area in question. Permits are issued by zone, and only those vehicles with a valid permit for a particular zone may park in a lot in that zone.

  Residential students may not have cars on Champlain’s Main Campus or park in Main Campus lots except in special circumstances. Those who require a car may request a permit to park at our Lakeside Campus, which is served by a shuttle.

  For a complete description of parking regulations and instructions for obtaining a parking permit, visit the parking website. Keep in mind that in Burlington everything you need is within walking distance, including theaters, movies, art galleries, clothing stores, shopping malls, coffee houses, banks, restaurants, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

  Getting to and from home for the holidays is easy: Champlain College is a 10-minute drive from the Burlington International Airport, and the Greyhound bus station is just down the hill from campus. There is an Amtrak station in nearby Essex Junction. In addition, it’s a good bet that there are other college students who live close to your hometown and would give you a ride.

• How will I receive mail?

  Emails will be sent to a student’s Champlain email account when letters and packages have arrived. Visit the mail room page for specifics.