Megan Rippie, who graduated from Milton High School this spring, has always been a mentor and support for her brother, who is two years younger and on the autism spectrum.

Eighteen-year-old Carolynn Lafountaine has survived a lot of medical complications in her young life. When she was three, she had open-heart surgery to repair a congenital defect – an event from which she has no lingering effects today.

For many students (and their parents), attending college this fall — whether that means online or on campus — likely involves taking out an education loan to help cover the tuition bill and other expenses. Nearly 7 out of 10 Vermont families need to borrow to help pay education costs.