We help you plan for college & careers—for free.

Paying for College & Career Training 101 / Financial Aid & Managing College Costs

• Presenter Powerpoint: Paying for College & Career Training 101 (PDF)
• Presenter Powerpoint: Financial Aid & Managing College Costs (PDF)
• Presenter Handout: Financial Aid & Managing College Costs (PDF)
• Do You Need Money for College? (from Federal Student Aid) (PDF)
• College Financial Aid Checklist (PDF)
• Paying for College Guide (PDF)
• My Education Loans: What to know before you borrow (PDF)
• The Financial Aid Process
• The Understanding Financial Aid Awards
• Paying for College Resources
• Planning for College Costs
• FAFSA.gov
• Having the Money Conversation
• College Navigator

The College Search: Finding the Right Fit

• Presenter Powerpoint (PDF)
• Finding Colleges That Fit (PDF)
• Searching for a College
• How to Pick the Right School Flow Chart
• Making the Most of College Visits (PDF)
• College Comparison Sheet (PDF)
• College Scorecard
• Expected Family Contribution Calculator
• College Net Price Calculators (College Navigator)
• Career Earnings by College Major
• The Top Myths of College (PDF)

Navigating the Admissions Process

• Presenter Powerpoint, Castleton (PDF)
• College Admissions Toolkit (PDF)
• Applying to College
• Questions for the Admissions Interview (PDF)
• College Admissions Checklist (PDF)
• Cappex College Fit Kit (PDF)
• Common Application Essay Prompts
• Surviving the College Admissions Madness
• Direct Admission to Vermont State Colleges from CCV

Strategies for the SAT & ACT

• Presenter Powerpoint: Secrets of the SAT (PDF)
• Presenter Powerpoint: Strategies for the SAT & ACT (PDF)
• Test Tips and Strategies: Presenter Handout (PDF)
• actstudent.org
• collegeboard.com
• Khan Academy
• The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar, 3rd edition, Erica Meltzer (book)
• The Critical Reader, 2nd edition, Erica Meltzer (book)

Career Search: Finding the Right Fit

• Pathways to Promising Careers (PDF)
• Exploring Career Options
• Occupational Outlooks

Great Careers with Local Employers

• Presenter Powerpoint, Castleton (PDF)
• Presenter Powerpoint, Southern Vermont College (PDF)
• Guide to Job Training & Certification Programs
• Informational Interview & Job Shadowing Guide (PDF)
• Vermont Technical College Continuing Education & Workforce Development
• Community College of Vermont Credentials & Training Programs
• Green Mountain Technology & Career Center Adult Education Classes
• Vermont Training Classes
• Vermont DOL Apprenticeship Program

Scholarships—Free Money

• Presenter Powerpoint (PDF)
• Presenter Handout: Learning About Scholarships (PDF)
• Cappex Scholarship Search
• College Board Scholarship Search
• Fastweb Scholarship Search
• Scholarships Guide with Tips & Timelines
• Tips for the VSAC Scholarship Application (PDF)
• Scholarship FAQs from School Counselors (PDF)

Returning to Learning

• Educational Decision Making (PDF)
• Learning Pyramid (PDF)
• Adult Student Handbook (PDF)
• Adult Career Action Plan PDF)
• Financial Aid 101 for Adults (PDF)
• Training and Education Pathways to Promising Careers
• Supporting Adult Learners

Campus Support for Students With Disabilities

• Presenter Powerpoint, Castleton (PDF)
• Presenter Powerpoint, Saint Michael's (PDF)
• Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Pathways to Promising Careers: Résumé Building

• Presenter Powerpoint (PDF)

Click on the solid green section to expand or compress each of the workshop descriptions. 

Financial Aid & 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 
• ways to compare college costs before you apply

Scholarships—Free Money!

Learn how to find and apply for local, state, and national scholarships.

The College Search: Finding the Right Fit 

Learn what to consider and which tools to use as you create a college list that matches your needs and family situation.

Navigating the Admissions Process

Overwhelmed by the college admissions process? Hear directly from a college admissions counselor about the steps involved in applying, what admissions staff look for in students, and ways they can support you through the admissions process. 

Returning to Learning After Time Off

Are you an adult who's thinking about going back to school? Come learn about financial aid options for adult learners and how to succeed as a nontraditional student.

Campus Support for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities often need to advocate for themselves once they arrive at college. We’ll review the federal laws that require accommodations at the college level and explain how to take advantage of the student support services on many campuses. You’ll find out which questions to ask as you visit college campuses and websites so you can feel more confident when deciding where to apply.

Note: This workshop is offered only at Saint Michael's College and Castleton University.

Pathways to Promising Careers: Résumé Building

Join career communications writer C. Jane Taylor for a special workshop tailored to those entering the workforce, sandwiched workers, and those getting back into the workforce after a gap. We’ll explore ways to rebuild your résumé and your confidence in the face of change. Participants will learn to:

• acknowledge and own your experience and expertise
• identify and communicate your transferable skills
• choose empowering language
• use the right type of résumé

Bring your current résumé and your laptop (or a notebook and pen) to this interactive workshop.

Note: This workshop is offered only at Southern Vermont College and NVU–Johnson.