Serving our community is at the heart of all we do. During these challenging times, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Vermont students and their families. Click here for VSAC program updates in response to COVID-19.
Financial Aid & College Costs
Need to compare financial aid offers?
- View some sample offers (PDF)
- Use our spreadsheet (spreadsheet download)
- 4 steps before you sign (blog)
The financial aid process can be complicated, with lots of considerations and paperwork! VSAC can help, starting with step 1: filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
- Learn about financial aid and college costs by viewing our online Financial Aid & Managing College Costs event.
Stay on track with planning and paying for college or training.
Need help with financial aid forms?
- Contact VSAC on our FAFSA Fridays (October–January)
- Attend a free Financial Aid Forms workshop in your area (October–February).
- Details and online applications for FAFSA and CSS Profile®
- Vermont grant applications and Unified Scholarship Application for approximately 140 VSAC-assisted scholarships
- VSAC’s fixed-rate student and parent loans
- Paying for college guide—VSAC’s comprehensive online guide with details on the financial aid process, financial aid applications, education loans and other resources, and more. Download the guide (PDF).
- My Education Loans—VSAC explains education loan basics, financial aid awards, and ways to compare loans and minimize education debt. A must-read before borrowing for college! Download the guide (PDF).
- EFC calculator—estimate your estimated family contribution
Looking for more?
Find resources for saving and planning for college.
collegescorecard.ed.gov
- college searches
- tuition and fee figures
- information on programs, majors, and admissions data
- net prices and more
Understand type of federal student aid
- how & when to apply for federal student aid
- who's eligible for federal student aid
- types of federal student aid
- how to fill out the FAFSA and more
bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/tools-calculators
- parent loan repayment calculator
- EFC calculator
- college cost calculator and more
mappingyourfuture.org/money/calculators.cfm
- savings calculator
- student loan calculator
- student loan debt/salary wizard and more
nebhe.org
- Information on NEBHE’s Tuition Break program, which provides New England students with discounted tuition when they enroll in an approved program that isn’t offered by the public colleges or universities in their home states.
studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/checklists
- middle school and high school checklists by grade
- videos on preparing for college
- downloadable PDF of the complete College Preparation Checklist and more
studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
- Research federal loan forgiveness programs.
studentloanhero.com/calculators
- Use various student loan calculators to calculate and compare multiple repayment options.
workcolleges.org
- Information on 7 federally recognized colleges that help reduce college costs through programs that enable students to combine real-world experience with classroom learning.
youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid—videos on:
- obtaining an FSA ID
- submitting a FAFSA and FAFSA tips for parents
- managing student loans and more