Karen McGovern, a counselor with VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), has worked with many adult Vermonters who want to go back to school to earn a needed credential or college degree. One student, in particular, Joanne Saunders of Fairfax, stands out. “When I first met Joanne about 12 years…
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Blog Archive: Unsure About College
Natasha Sankgasoot says she wants to help people fight illness and gain better health through good nutrition, and once again, her inspiration starts close to home.
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During the holiday season, VSAC encourages families to look ahead and plan for their kids' future possibilities with a gift of education savings. Vermont’s state-sponsored 529 savings plan provides an easy way for families to give (and receive!) a gift that will last far beyond the holiday season…
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First-generation college students — or students whose parents did not go to college — are much less likely to pursue and to complete postsecondary degrees than are their classmates whose parents did go to college. According to data gathered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), first…
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From a young age, Johanna Krushat had an inkling that she wanted to work with kids, but she wasn’t sure about the “how” or the “where.” Her Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) counselor helped her narrow that down, and Johanna decided she wanted to be an elementary-school counselor. After…
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For students who are applying to college this year or who are looking for financial help for ongoing college study or for continuing education, it pays to research scholarship opportunities. The internet abounds with all manner of scholarships available to students of certain backgrounds or…
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Essex Principal Ashley Gray, right, with her wife, Rebecca and their son, Rio. Ashley Gray has never shied away from a challenge. When VSAC first profiled her in late 2019, she was a young principal at Peacham Elementary School in her native Northeast Kingdom. Though she grew up just 30 miles away…
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Every September, as families settle into their back-to-school routines, VSAC celebrates National GEAR UP Week, which promotes the wealth of resources and opportunities offered through this federally funded college and career guidance program. This year, National GEAR UP week falls on September 20–24…
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At 26, Nichelle Montanez had a job that she loved, working at a gas station in Westminster. She enjoyed her co-workers, loved the environment, and planned to stay and grow with the company. “I was going to work hard, become the manager, and be there for the rest of my working career,” she recalls…
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Too often, “peer pressure” plays a negative role in teenagers’ lives. But for Tyler Eugair, who graduated this spring from Proctor High School, knowing that his best friend would be going to Castleton was what led him to decide to go to college too. “Did I always know I wanted to go to college? Not…
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