Franklin County businesses step up to offer scholarships

WINOOSKI (May 3, 2017) – Vermont Student Assistance Corp. and the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation today announced a new scholarship for Franklin County students, funded by two local businesses.

MED Associates, based in Fairfax, and Vermont Precision Tools, located in Swanton, have each contributed to establish this new $1,000 scholarship, which will allow two local students to continue their education in the fields of manufacturing, engineering or a technology-related field.

“This is an exciting time for the advancement of the community, future learning and continual improvement. We see this scholarship as a great opportunity to help a local student be successful in our community and establish a bright future. We are happy to help support this initiative,” said Valdemar Garibay, Vice President of MED Associates.

For Vermont Precision Tools, the scholarship is about helping the next generation of Vermonters create their future. “It’s an honor to provide this scholarship; our success is built on investing in current and future team members in a supportive community,” said Monica Greene, president.

The Franklin County scholarship is part of a new VSAC pilot program, funded by the McClure Foundation. The program encourages students, especially those with modest incomes, and who are the first in their family to pursue higher education, to participate in dual enrollment courses, early college or an adult technical education program.

“We thank these businesses for their generosity and commitment to the community and Vermont’s economy,” said Scott Giles, VSAC president and CEO.  “We know that seven out of 10 jobs coming to Vermont will require some training or education after high school. These scholarships are about helping Franklin County students be prepared for their future careers.”

The scholarship is open to students who live in Franklin County; attend BFA St. Albans, BFA Fairfax, Enosburg Falls or Richford high schools, and who have successfully completed dual enrollment, early college or an adult technical education course and plan to continue their education into college.

Applicants are required to complete the FAFSA and Vermont State Grant applications and submit an essay that answers “How has your completion of dual enrollment, early college or adult technical education helped you with your future education and career goals?”

Deadline for applications is May 29. For more information or to submit your essay with name and high school, email Susie Moakley at: Moakley@vsac.org.

About VSAC – Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan. Share your VSAC story by email to myVSACstory@vsac.org or submit a video to YouTube. Find us at www.vsac.org or check in on Facebook and Twitter. #changing lives

About J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation

The J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, envisions a Vermont in which no promising job goes unfilled for lack of a qualified applicant. Since 2008, the McClure Foundation has granted more than $3 million in support of that vision. The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and effective. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists to multiply their impact, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments in the community. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.