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News & Updates for Education Professionals

Use these resources to support Vermont students and families in planning, saving, and paying for training and education.

VSAC offers the latest news and updates for educational professionals in Vermont. From financial aid trainings, educator tools, and VSAC workshops and publications, stay informed to support students, parents, or adult learners in their higher education journey.

Take Note of Changes to the FAFSA in 2023, for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a required form for any student who is applying for federal, state, or school-based financial aid, public or private loans, public or private scholarships, or merit aid at many institutions. There will be several changes to the FAFSA this year (for the 2024-2025 academic year) that are intended to make the form shorter and more user friendly. Families who have filled out the FAFSA in prior years may notice some changes to language, terminology, and questions asked by the form. One key difference for everyone is that the new FAFSA opens in December 2023, instead of October 1, 2023. VSAC will be updating print and digital content, and working to help students and families learn about changes to the FAFSA, and how to navigate those changes. Stay tuned for more information.

Learn about the new FAFSA changes with VSAC's Focus on FAFSA one pager or more detailed two-page PDF.

VSAC Curriculum Map for Education Professionals

VSAC has created nearly 100 learning activities to target social-emotional, academic, and postsecondary planning skills across grades 6-12. The VSAC Curriculum Map provides targeted academic and postsecondary planning skills that Vermont students in grades 6–12 will need in order to pursue education and career opportunities after high school. This framework reflects current research, best practice, and fieldwork that are great resources for:

  • counselors
  • school leaders
  • teachers
  • work-based learning coordinators

Preview & order your free VSAC print publications for 2024-2025

VSAC continues to offer bulk publications for student, parents, and education professionals free of charge. Visit's VSAC's publication store to download the latest publications, or request print orders to your school or office, free of charge.

Please note: The FAFSA 2024-25 changes have affected the availability of a few publications so you'll notice preorder options for items affected. In an effort to reduce mailing costs, all bulk orders will be mailed in late September. If you would like items shipped sooner, we recommend contacting publications@vsac.org.

ORDER PUBLICATIONS & PLANNING CHECKLISTS

Financial Aid Opportunities

These three resources offers Vermont students and families additional funding opportunities for college or training. 

  • 802 Opportunity: Free tuition at CCV for students of any age with a family income of $75,000 or less.  
  • NEW Workforce Development Funding is now available to reduce or eliminate tuition for eligible students pursuing careers in critical fields such as skilled trades, nursing, mental health care, and more.
  • Vermont grants: Eligible students have received from $1,000 to $14,000 for the 2023–2024 academic year. However funding varies from year-to-year. Find the grant types, application, and a how-to video that walks you through the application.

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
  • early childhood education
  • 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 2024–2025 is now available online, and the Unified Scholarship Application (USA) can be completed by logging into MyVSAC. Deadline for all materials is February 14, 2024.

How VSAC can help with the FAFSA

Your students and parents can:

  • check out VSAC's FAFSA Completion Guide. Note: The 2024-25 Completion Guide is delayed to due to upcoming FAFSA updates.
  • ask a quick FAFSA question by calling our toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).

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. 

Looking for financial aid resources?

We have what you need for your students & parents.

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

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.

Updated for 2023 academic year 

Available now: 

Available for preorder (shipping early Oct)

 

No changes for the 2023 academic year

 

Digital only

 

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 counselor's 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 adults 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 2024

    On Saturday, March 23, 2024, families are invited to join us in person at the UVM Davis Center or online via Zoom to take part in live workshops, discover free resources, and connect with local experts to help prepare for education or training after high school. Visit the College & Career Pathways page for more information.

    VSAC's Annual Financial Aid Trainings for Education and Agency Professionals

    Visit VSAC's Financial Aid Resources page to access the recordings and slideshow presentations from our 2023 events.

    • Financial Aid 101 Training on September 19th
    • Federal Updates on October 13th
    • VSAC & State Updates on October 24th

    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.  

    Sign-up for VSAC's Educational Professionals "EdPro" newsletter and stay informed of the latest news and updates so you can best support students, parents, and/or adult learners in their college and training journey.

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