College and Adult Child Support in Vermont: Post-Secondary and Disabled Children

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Vermont child support covers college only if the parties agree to an added postsecondary amount in the order. We found no provision for a disabled adult child in the sections we read.

Does child support cover college in Vermont?

Only by agreement. If the parties agree, the court may include in the child support order an additional amount designated for postsecondary education (15 V.S.A. 659(b)). Without an agreement, we found no court-ordered college support in the sections we read.

Is there child support for a disabled adult child in Vermont?

We found no provision in the sections we read, so we are not stating one. Ask a licensed Vermont attorney before the 18th birthday about your options, and bring medical and benefit records.

How long can a postsecondary amount be enforced?

An action to enforce can be brought no later than six years after a child covered by the postsecondary amount is no longer covered (606(c)).

How should a college agreement be written?

• Which costs are covered: tuition, housing, books or a cap.
• Each parent’s share and when payments are due.
• Grade or enrollment conditions and what happens if the child leaves school.
• An end date or maximum number of years.
• Court approval so it can be enforced.

What are the age limits for a given birth date?

Can I ask for more support if the child has extra education costs?

Extraordinary medical or education expenses, including expenses related to a child’s special needs, are part of the total support obligation (653(4), (9)). Bring the receipts.

What costs count as extraordinary education expenses?

Extraordinary medical or education expenses, including those related to the special needs of a child, can be part of the total support obligation (653(4), (9)). The sections we read do not list tuition for college; use a written agreement.

Who can ask for support in the first place?

Either parent, a guardian, or the Department for Children and Families or the Department of Vermont Health Access if a party in interest; the court may also raise support on its own motion (658(b)). That matters if a grandparent or agency has the child.

Can a college amount be added later?

The statute lets the court include the added amount if the parties agree (659(b)). If the order is silent, you would need the other parent’s agreement and a court order; a motion to modify can add it only on an agreement or a qualifying change (660(a)).

Should I wait for the child to enroll before asking?

No. Raise it before the child turns 18, because the amount is added by agreement and the order is easier to change while the case is open; ask a licensed Vermont attorney how to time it.

Does the child have to be a student for the amount to apply?

The statute leaves the conditions to the parties’ agreement, so write them in (659(b)).

Who enforces the postsecondary amount?

The Family Division, on a motion for a determination of the amount due, with judgment as in any civil action (606(a)), within six years after the child is no longer covered.

Can the court consider educational needs?

When setting the amount, the court may consider the child’s educational needs, among other factors, if the guideline would be unfair to the child or a party (659(a)(5)).

What about unpaid support from before?

It stays owed: see whether Vermont arrears expire or can be forgiven and the Vermont child support end date calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• 15 V.S.A. 658: support; duration; adoption
• 15 V.S.A. 659(b): postsecondary education
• 15 V.S.A. 606: judgments and enforcement window
• 15 V.S.A. 660: modification

This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Vermont statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Vermont attorney.