News & Updates for Education Professionals

Financial Aid and Managing College Costs

Find out how families cover college costs. We'll explain the types of financial aid available (grants, scholarships, loans); the basics of financial aid applications; and ways to compare college costs before you apply.

• Financial Aid and Managing College Costs video and PowerPoint slides

Vermont grants

Don't let your Vermont students leave money on the table! Eligible students have received from $1,000 to $14,000 in Vermont grants for the 2022–2023 academic year. Encourage your students to:

• Watch the VSAC Shows You How to Complete VT Grant & Scholarship Applications. VSAC walks families through the Vermont state grant application, question-by-question. We also explain how to apply for any of the 120+ VSAC-assisted scholarships. View the recording and find additional resources.
• 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.

New Workforce Development Funding available

The Vermont Legislature passed a historic bill in June 2022 which provides millions of dollars of state and federal funding to address Vermont’s workforce shortage. This new funding will reduce or eliminate tuition for eligible students pursuing careers in critical fields such as:

• skilled trades
• teaching
• nursing
• mental health care
• more

lEARN MORE ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

VSAC-assisted Scholarships

VSAC's scholarships booklet for students planning to attend college in 2025–2026 is now available online, and the Unified Scholarship Application (USA) can be completed by logging into MyVSAC. 

• To receive copies for your students, schools must order bulk quantities on VSAC's Publications site.
• Your students and parents can also download or view VSAC's 2025-26 Scholarship book . 

How VSAC can help with the FAFSA

Your students and parents can:

• check out VSAC's FAFSA Filing Guide.
• ask a quick FAFSA question by calling our toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).
• sign up for a FAFSA Filing appointment to receive one-on-one assistance.

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. 

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

• Parents: Looking for a checklist to keep your high school junior or senior on track? View or download VSAC's Junior Year Month-By-Month Planning Checklist or Senior Year Month-By-Month Planning Checklist.
• Need help with the FAFSA & other financial aid? Start with VSAC's Focus on FAFSA.
• MyFutureVT: Get started on exploring education and career opportunities and pathways in Vermont.
• College & Career Pathways: find resources from the 2024 events.

Free print publications! 

VSAC continues to offer free print publications for students, parents, and education professionals. This year, the FAFSA changes have required that we modify some of the printed pieces, thus creating a delay in the availability. View the lineup and order your supplies for the upcoming season.

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 with one of VSAC's Educational Opportunity Center counselors 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 >

Zoom Rooms 

VSAC's Zoom video conferences are geared toward adult learners interested in returning to school or training. Watch recordings of past topics, including:

• Short-Term Training Options
• Resources for Foster Youth
• Exploring Healthcare Careers
• TRIO - The Past, Present and Future

College & Career Pathways 2025

• Saturday, March 8, 1-5pm at UVM: public event for high school families
• Thursday, March 13, 9am-2pm at Landmark College: daytime event for pre-registered high schools
• Thursday, March 20, 9am-2pm at Saint Michael's College: daytime event for pre-registered high schools
• Monday, April 7, 8:45am-1:45pm at VTSU Lyndon Campus: daytime event for pre-registered high schools
• Wednesday, April 9, 8:45am-2pm at VTSU Castleton Campus: daytime event for pre-registered high schools

Get all the details at vsac.org/ccp.

2025 Transition & Career Planning Conference

The 20^th Annual Transition and Career Planning Conference will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. We hope you'll be able to join us!

Here are some links that your families may find helpful:

NEBHE Webinars — 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 

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.