News & Updates for Education Professionals

Spread the word: Do your families need help navigating financial aid applications? In the next VSAC Shows You How webinar simulcast to Facebook on October 26, from 6-7 p.m., VSAC Outreach counselor Carrie Harlow walks you through how to complete the FAFSA, question-by-question. Register here.
Free money opportunities:
1. 802 Opportunity, which offers free tuition at CCV for students of any age with a family income of $50,000 or less.
2. Green Mountain Grad provides one tuition-free college class to the graduates of the high school classes of 2020 and 2021.
3. Students who commit to a Vermont college by June 1 can register for a chance at a the Choose Vermont Scholarship.
4. Explore over 120 VSAC-assisted scholarships for students planning to attend college in 2022-2023. The deadline to apply is February 11, 2022.
Did you miss VSAC's September 14th or 23rd Annual Financial Aid Trainings for Education and Agency Professionals?
1. Financial Aid 101: View the slides and watch the recording.
2. Federal, State & VSAC Updates: View the slides and watch the recording.
Print copies now available. Junior and senior planning checklists, scholarships booklets, and financial aid publications are available. Order your bulk print copies, or link to digital versions.

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.

ORDER 2021–2022 PUBLICATIONS & PLANNING CHECKLISTS

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.
Check out VSAC's webinars and videos covering grants, scholarships, financial aid offers, loans and more.

VSAC-assisted scholarships update

VSAC's scholarships booklet for students planning to attend college in 2022–2023 is now available online, and the Unified Scholarship Application (USA) will be available on October 1 through MyVSAC.

To receive copies for your students, schools must order bulk quantities at https://publications.vsac.org/free-vsac-publications.
Your students and parents can also download a PDF version or view online .

How VSAC can help with the FAFSA

Your students and parents can:

Check out VSAC's FAFSA Completion Guide. Download the guide or order a printed copy.
Schedule a 1:1 meeting with a VSAC Outreach counselor to receive personalized guidance through the FAFSA.
Complete your FAFSA during our “VSAC Shows You How: Filing the FAFSA” event on October 26, 6:00-7:00 pm, when VSAC counselor Carrie Harlow will walk you through the FAFSA application question by question. To watch live on VSAC’s Facebook page, register in advance; or watch the recording later at vsac.org/ﬁnancial-aid-videos.
Have a quick FAFSA question? Call our toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).

Looking for financial aid resources?

We have what you need for your students & parents.

Get Resources

VSAC-assisted scholarships update

Download a PDF version or view online .
Order a free print version by mail.
Or request a copy from your high school guidance counselor.

Resources for students and parents planning for life after high school.

Need help with the FAFSA & other financial aid? Start with VSAC's FAFSA First.
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 online event.

Green Mountain Grad:

View the toolkit with materials to help you get the word out to your graduating seniors and their families, including a key visual (in different sizes for use in emails, e-newsletters, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), a blurb describing the program which can inform emails or social media posts, two print-ready flyers (use one or use both to promote the program over time), and an extensive FAQ document.

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!

Annual Financial Aid Training for Education and Agency Professionals

Did you miss VSAC's September 14th or 23rd events?

Financial Aid 101: View the slides and watch the recording.
Federal, State & VSAC Updates: View the slides and watch the recording.

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

SAT Coronavirus Updates

ACT testing FAQ

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.