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Vermont Applies

An initiative to help students and families prepare for life after high school and keep as many doors open as possible.

Click on each green bar to find resources, links, and videos for that topic.

Applying to College

The following presentations and resources will help support you in choosing and applying to colleges:

  • Senior Year Planning Checklist: Month-by-month steps you can take during your senior year in high school to stay on track for admissions and financial aid applications for college or training.
  • The College Search—Finding the Right Fit: Learn what to consider and then reflect on what you want from your postsecondary experience so that you can narrow the search to institutions that meet your values and preferences. While structured around the college search, these questions can also be helpful in thinking about what you might want in a future employer or non-degree training program.
  • Navigating the Admissions Process: Overwhelmed by the college admissions process? Hear directly from college admissions counselors about the steps involved in applying, what they look for in students, and ways they can support you through the process. 
  • How-To: The Common App: A video walk-through of how to complete the Common Application.
  • Common App: Start your application here.
  • Writing the Admissions Essay: Find out what colleges look for in the admissions essay and discover how to craft an essay that sets you apart.
  • Virtual College Visit Guide
  • Virtual College Interview Guide
  • Transition to College Checklist: A checklist for parents and guardians to help your student prepare for the transition to college.
  • Student Stages of Transition: A helpful guide for parents and guardians to understand what to expect and how to support your student as they transition to college.
  • College Admissions Workshop for Vermonters: This recorded workshop offers an overview of the college admissions process and advice for Vermont families on a range of topics, including navigating test optional policies; what admissions counselors look for in your essay; how to present your passions and activities; and how to pay for college from a panel of local experts including college admissions directors, financial aid experts, and school counselors. Hosted by Middlebury College in partnership with the University of Vermont, Champlain College, Saint Michael's College, VSAC, and Middlebury Union High School.
  • NEBHE Tuition Break: Find hundred of eligible programs at state and community colleges across New England that offer out-of-state tuition discounts for Vermonters through the New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break Program.
Applying to Short-Term Training & Apprenticeships

The following presentations and resources will help support you in choosing and applying to short-term training and apprenticeship opportunities:

  • Short-Term Training & Apprenticeships: Short-term training can be a great way to increase skills or jump-start your career, and apprenticeships enable you to earn while you learn. Discover the wide variety of training options available both in-person and online throughout Vermont.
  • Vermont Adult CTE: Find training opportunities at Vermont’s 17 career and technical centers.
  • Apprenticeships in Vermont: Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities.
  • Best Bet Career Training Programs: Explore 7 short-term career training programs that each lead to a recognized credential and a great shot at a good-paying job within 18 months.
Applying to the Military
  • ROTC Programs: Find out more about the Reserve Officer Training Corps, a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. military.
  • ASVAB: Learn more about the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a multiple-choice test that determines enlistment qualification. For ASVAB Test Prep:
  • Delayed Entry Program: Most people who enlist in the military join through the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), also called the Delayed Enlistment Program (or the Future Soldiers Program in the Army). This allows you to sign up before you are shipped out to basic training. If you plan to join the military right after high school, you'll likely enlist through DEP.
  • Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship Program: The GRFD scholarship program is designed for Cadets who are interested in obtaining a commission as an officer in the Army National Guard (ARNG) or US Army Reserve (USAR) with a guarantee for a Reserve Component (RC) assignment. In addition to these scholarship benefits, GRFD Cadets that are military occupational skill-qualified (MOSQ) can collect Selected Reserve-Montgomery GI Bill (SR-MGIB) and SMP Kicker benefits in conjunction with this scholarship. Since GRFD Cadets also participate in the SMP, Cadets serving in the ARNG may use available State Tuition Assistance (STA), if offered by their State, to cover tuition and fees and combine this with the GRFD scholarship for  housing and meal expenses.
  • Dedicated GRFD (DED-GRFD) Scholarship Program: The DED-GRFD scholarship program guarantees that Cadets who commission as Army officers will serve in their specified Reserve Component at the time they accept the scholarship; either ARNG or USAR. Cadets receiving DED-GRFD scholarships CANNOT combine SR-MGIB (Chapter 1606 or 1607) benefits with their scholarship, including the SMP Kicker. DED-GRFD scholarship Cadets CAN combine an Active Duty GI Bill (Chapter 30) or Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) with their scholarship because these are benefits earned while in an Active Duty status.
  • Minuteman Scholarship Program: Minuteman Scholarship Cadets can be nominated from any State Adjutant General (TAG), any Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), a Mission Support Command (MSC), or an Army Reserve Ambassador in lengths of 2YRs up to 4YRs for a scholarship. These scholarships are limited each year and need a nomination memo with a handwritten signature from the nomination source.
  • Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP): The SMP gives eligible enlisted members of the ARNG an opportunity to maintain status in their Reserve Component while simultaneously attending college and participating as a contracted Cadet in the ROTC Program working towards a Commission as an Officer. The SMP offers on-the-job training, reinforces the role of the Commissioned Officer in the Army, and gives ROTC Cadets the experience of working with Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers in a Reserve Component Unit.
  • Early Commissioning Program (EAP): Acceptance of EAP will add one Additional Military Service Obligation (ADSO) for each year or partial year EAP is used. Upon commission the lieutenants will be required to select and join a drilling unit in one of the Reserve components and attend battle assemblies and annual training while working on their 4-year baccalaureate degree.
Applying for Jobs

The following videos and resources will help support you in choosing and applying for jobs:

  • Identifying Your Career Interests: Discover how your interests relate to clusters of nearly 900 occupations.
  • Showcasing Essential Skills: Learn which skills are critical to success after high school, how to highlight the skills you already have, and how to build new ones.
  • Navigating Your Own Career Path: Connect your interests and skills with promising careers in Vermont and explore a broad range of career and education pathways.
  • Intro to Résumé Writing: Find out what employers look for in a résumé and walk away with a checklist for creating a job application that will improve your odds of getting an interview.
  • Interviewing Success Strategies: Find out how to prepare for a job interview and show off your best self to potential employers. While structured around applying for a job, these tips can also be applied to a college admissions interview.
  • Vermont’s Most Promising Jobs: Discover which careers show the most promise. Each pays a median wage of at least $22.55/hour and is expected to have at least 500 openings over the next 10 years.
  • MyFutureVT: A free online resource to help you take the next step in your education and career journey.
Explore Vermont Colleges & Training Programs

Follow these links for more information on how to visit these Vermont institutions: 

Getting Help with Financial Aid Forms

Need help with your FAFSA, VT grant application, or other forms? VSAC can help in a variety of ways.

 

Financial Aid Forms Night Workshops

Get help submitting your FAFSA and Vermont grant application.

  • VSAC offers free Financial Aid Forms events at schools around the state. At these informal group workshop, we assist you as you file your FAFSA and Vermont state grant application.
  • Please call your school’s Guidance Department for information on timing and to reserve your spot.

 

FAFSA Support

  • How to Complete the FAFSA: VSAC walks you through how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), question by question.
  • For quick FAFSA questions, call VSAC’s toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm)
  • Find additional FAFSA resources.

 

Financial Aid & Managing College Costs

Learn about how to pay for college and training programs. 

Grants & Scholarships