News & Updates for Education Professionals

Vermont grants

Don't let your Vermont students leave money on the table! Eligible students received from $1,000 to $12,500 in Vermont grants for the 2020–2021 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.

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 offers 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. 

VSAC Shows You How

Join us to learn how to plan and pay for college and training. View the lineup of virtual offerings.

FINANCIAL AID — I'VE APPLIES. NOW WHAT? 

Watch the webinar and check out additional resources to learn what happens after you submit your financial aid applications so you'll be better prepared to understand your financial aid offers when you get them. VSAC’s financial aid experts will explain:

• What costs you’ll need to plan for and the differences between advertised costs and what students actually pay.
• How schools decide what they estimate you can afford to pay.
• The financial aid programs available to help you maximize every free dollar you can get (called “gift aid”) and minimize your need to borrow education loans.
• What steps you may need to take after you submit your financial aid applications (while you wait for your financial aid package to arrive).

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID OFFERS — March 2, 6:00–7:00 pm

VSAC walks you through interpreting your financial aid offers so you can compare options and make informed choices. Register to participate on Zoom or watch on VSAC's Facebook page.

NACAC College Fairs ONLINE

The National Association of College Admissions Counseling college fairs have gone online.

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!

College & Career Pathways

VSAC’s annual College & Career Pathways virtual event this year will take place throughout the month of March. Whether your students are college-bound, training-bound or not sure, this event is for them. This year’s event will 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 register for live 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 >

VSAC's 2020 fall training resources 

Did you miss this year's training? Access the resources and watch the videos. 

Financial Aid 101  

  Watch the video and view the slides (PDF)

Fall Financial Aid Training   

  Watch the video and view the slides:

• Federal Aid & the FAFSA (PDF)
• Vermont Grants (PDF)
• Scholarships (PDF)
• Education Loans (PDF)
• Information Resources (PDF)
• What's Happening on the Federal & State Level (PDF)

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:

NACAC College Fairs ONLINE — The National Association of College Admissions Counseling college fairs have gone online. Four virtual events are scheduled for the spring:  

• February 28, 2021
• March 21, 2021
• May 2, 2021

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.