COVID-19 updates & ways VSAC can help
News & Updates for Education Professionals
VSAC News You Can Use:
- VSAC Transition and Career Conference for educators: Join your colleagues virtually for the 16th Annual Transition & Career Planning Conference, scheduled for May 13.
- ORDER NOW! Order your bulk publications for the 2021-2022 school year, including month-by month planning checklists for juniors and seniors.
- Spread the word about these resources for students and parents planning for life after high school
- College Decision Making for Seniors: 3 steps to help students (and families) make a college decision.
- Vermont Applies: View the recordings and materials from spring admissions event for seniors who haven't applied to college or training programs, or did apply but need a backup plan.
- College & Career Pathways: Access the recorded workshops from the March event.
- Financial aid is still available!
- Vermont grants: Eligible students received from $1,000–$12,500 for the last academic year. Find the grant types, application, and a how-to video that walks you through the application.
- Choose Vermont Scholarship is back! Students who commit to a Vermont college by June 1 can register for a chance at a scholarship.
- VSAC scholarships: Pages 37–49 of the scholarships booklet feature scholarships with deadlines open through July 30.
- Check out VSAC's webinars and videos covering grants, scholarships, financial aid offers, loans and more.
High schools: Did you know that you can use VSAC's FAFSA Completion Tool to identify students who haven't completed their financial aid applications? Contact our grants department (800-882-4166) to ask us how.
Vermont grants
Don't let your Vermont students leave money on the table! Eligible students have received from $1,000 to $12,800 in Vermont grants for the 2021–2022 academic year. Encourage your students to:
- watch the VSAC Shows You How to Complete a Vermont Grant Application for tips and tricks
- apply for the Vermont grant. Those who have applied should check their MyVSAC account to be sure they've completed all steps.
- complete the FAFSA.
VSAC-assisted scholarships update
The VSAC scholarships booklet for students planning to attend college in 2021–2022 is available in print. To receive copies for your students, schools must order bulk quantities at https://publications.vsac.org/free-vsac-publications.
Please note: Although the deadline has passed for all VSAC-assisted scholarships, students can still apply for other scholarships. Check pages 37–49 of the booklet for scholarships with deadlines open through July 30.
How VSAC can help with the FAFSA
Your students and parents can:
- complete the FAFSA using our “VSAC Shows You How” recording as guidance. VSAC FAFSA expert Carrie Harlow walks families through the FAFSA application question by question.
- call our toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).
- check out VSAC's FAFSA Completion Guide or order a printed copy.
Looking for financial aid resources?
We have what you need for your students & parents.
High school seniors and families: Need help with the FAFSA & other financial aid? Start with VSAC's FAFSA First.
Vermont Applies: 12th Grade Spring Admissions Event
This spring, VSAC offered a new event for seniors who haven’t yet applied to college or a training program for the fall or did apply but need a backup plan. Find details and resources you can still take advantage of at vsac.org/vermontapplies.
VSAC Shows You How
Join VSAC to learn how to plan and pay for college and training. View the lineup of virtual offerings, including the latest from April 2021:
Appealing Your Financial Aid Offers
If your family is experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for more financial aid for college or training, including Vermont grant funding.
VSAC's Educational Opportunity Center—easy as a phone call!
Do you know any adults who would like to take a step toward new career possibilities and aren’t sure where to begin? VSAC’s EOC services can help. Our counselors understand the needs of adult students and are ready to help individuals take steps in a new direction. All services are free.
Encourage your students or clients to make an appointment today >
VSAC’s research continues to shape higher education policy in Vermont
VSAC releases survey results on COVID-19’s impact on VT students' plans to attend college in the fall.
View the latest reports, county fact sheets, and past survey results >
Advance Vermont to Create Hub for Career and Education Resources
Advance Vermont is developing an online "one-stop shop" to bring career and education resources to Vermonters in a user friendly and accessible way. This website will provide Vermonters of all ages and backgrounds with career exploration information and the resources they need to identify and access education and training opportunities across the state that will advance their careers, employable skills, income stability, and job readiness. Visit Advance Vermont to learn more.
The Advance Vermont team is looking to gain your insights along the way. Please fill out their 3-minute survey to lend your expertise on what content should be included and how it should be presented. It includes a sneak peek at early site design!
Vermont Applies: 12th Grade Spring Admissions Event
This spring, VSAC offered a new event for seniors who haven’t yet applied to college or a training program for the fall or did apply but need a backup plan. Find details at vsac.org/vermontapplies.
College & Career Pathways
VSAC’s annual College & Career Pathways virtual event this year took place throughout the month of March, but whether your students are college-bound, training-bound or not sure, CCP resources are for them. They include:
- Videos and reflection activities for you to use with students in planning for life after high school.
- Live virtual workshops for students and parents/guardians covering a range of college and career planning topics.
- Virtual tours and info sessions of Vermont colleges, universities, and short-term training programs.
- Weekly contests with the opportunity to win prizes for watching videos and attending workshops or tours.
Find details of the month-long program and have your students & parents take advantage of the recorded workshops, tours, and info sessions.
College & Career Pathways is primarily intended for 10th and 11th grade students and parents, but may also be helpful for older or younger students, depending on where they are in the planning process.
Vermont Career Connect
Our career exploration resources were designed with Vermont's high-growth, high-wage jobs in mind and are appropriate for Vermont middle school and high school students. Resources include recorded presentations from the fall virtual event, a career interest survey, 40+ video interviews with industry representatives across all 16 career clusters, career training requirements, and activities that can be used for PLPs. View the resources >
Zoom Rooms
Spread the word about VSAC's Zoom video conferences geared toward adults interested in returning to school or training. Watch recordings of past topics, including:
- Short-Term Training Options
- Education Resources for Military Connected Students
- Resources for Foster Youth
- Educational Resources for Former Refugees, Immigrants, & Asylees
Here are some links that your families may find helpful:
NEBHE Admissions & Enrollment Information — Resources for school counselors, students and institutions
Virtual Admissions Events — alphabetical list of American colleges & universities; describes each school's virtual admissions events and provides web registration links
Strive Virtual College Exploration – Hundreds of free virtual workshops for students and parents including individual college info sessions and a wide range of college planning topics
Keys to Your Future Career & College Readiness Program – Free program for educators with virtual lessons for students on identifying life goals, preparing in high school, choosing a path, balancing daily life, starting a career, and success in a career
College Admission Status Updates — information about changes in college admission events, deposit dates, and more as a result of the coronavirus outbreak
Khan Academy — SAT practice as well as other online learning
SAT On Demand—One Month Free from Kaplan — a free month of SAT On Demand to support all students with their distance learning
Free AP Programming from Kaplan — free AP prep sessions on YouTube live for AP US History, AP World History, and AP Biology. These sessions will focus on question review and include time to ask a teacher questions.