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).

VSAC Resources
Other Resources

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
VSAC's full playlist of videos on college admissions and financial aid processes

Looking for more?

Find resources for saving and planning for college.

Find More

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.