Scholarships

This can feel like the most daunting part of the college process for some people. As college costs continue to rise, it is important for families to be realistic about what they can afford.
Excellent education is available at colleges that do not charge $42,000 per year! Financial aid is sometimes the deciding factor in a student's final choice.

In general, the colleges with the largest endowments give the largest financial aid offers to eligible students who demonstrate financial need, so don't assume that what a college charges for tuition is what you must pay. The financial aid offer or "package" usually consists of one or more of the following: grants, loans, work/study opportunity on campus. There are helpful programs online at www.vsac.org to aid in comparing financial aid packages from different colleges.

Information Sessions at TA
Paying for College Night      October 5, 2009     6:00 pm     Shark Tank

Financial Aid Forms Night     January 11, 2010     6:00 pm     Library

Your best resources for financial aid questions are:

  • VSAC-Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
    1-800-642-3177 or www.vsac.org
  • NHHEAF-New Hampshire Higher Education Foundation
    1-800-525-2577or www.nhheaf.org

How Financial Aid Works
Financial aid programs help many students pursue different courses of study. If you are seeking a degree or a certificate and are considering part-time or full-time attendance, check with your college or school to find out what financial aid may be available to you. Aid isn't limited only to 'traditional' students just out of high school.

What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is assistance provided to students and families to supplement what they themselves are able to contribute to cover the cost of higher education. It can cover tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses including child care. These items make up the 'college budget.'

Most financial aid is based on need. Needs determined by subtracting the family's and student's resources available for education from the college budget.

Budget - Resources = Need

What aid is available?
Three types of financial aid are available:

  • Grants and scholarships (also known as 'gift' aid). These do not have to be repaid. Scholarships may be based on need or on a student's academic performance or special talents.
  • Loans (also known as 'self-help' aid). Students and/or parents borrow low-interest loans that must be repaid.
  • Work-Study (another form of 'self-help' aid). Students earn wages that may be applied to the college bill or used for personal expenses.

Where does aid come from?
Financial aid comes from different sources:

  • The Federal Government
  • VSAC
  • the college a student is attending
  • Outside sources

Who can apply for aid?
To apply for federal financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. To apply for a Vermont state grant from VSAC, you must be a Vermont resident, having resided in Vermont format least 12 months prior to your enrollment. College aid is obtained from the college, while scholarships from outside sources usually require separate applications and often have specific eligibility requirements. In all cases, to receive aid you must be admitted to an approved postsecondary school.

How do I apply?
Applications for financial aid can be as time-consuming as taxes. We advise starting early.
Financial aid application materials for Vermont students are available from VSAC, from all Vermont colleges and high schools, and from some public libraries. The following applications must be completed:

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used as a basis for determining eligibility for federal Pell Grants, for part-time and full-time grants from VSAC, aid from the college you are attending, and student loans. Students can complete a traditional paper FAFSA application, or file electronically on the Web. Students continuing their education receive a Renewal FAFSA in subsequent years. It is best to complete this form and submit it by January or February.
    FAFSA, PDF Version
  • Vermont Grant Application. This application must be completed by Vermont students who wish to be considered for a state grant and are pursuing a degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Students can file a paper application, or can file electronically. VSAC also sends renewal applications to students who have filed previously.
  • Institutional application. Some colleges require an additional application form. The school's catalog will indicate if this is required.
  • CSS Financial Aid Profile. Many private colleges and universities also require this form, which provides them with additional information for assessing a student or family's financial situation. This form is provided and processed by the College Scholarship Service and involves a fee.
  • Financial Aid Transcript. If you attended college before and received financial aid, you will be asked to complete this form, too.


It is very important to apply for financial aid on time and to meet all the deadlines set by the relevant agencies and colleges. Consult with a VSAC counselor for help, or a financial aid counselor at the school you plan to attend. College catalogs and guidebooks generally list the various deadlines that must be met.
© 2004, VSAC

Scholarship Edition

Scholarship Search: Information and Advice
So many options, how can you find the most appropriate information? Here you'll find a few helpful sites recommended by the NHHEAF Network Center for College Planning.

Scholarship Databases Budgeting and Saving Financial Aid Forms and Information
www.nhcf.org www.fool.com www.fafsa.ed.gov (FAFSA)
www.fastweb.com www.jumpstart.com www.collegeboard.com
www.scholarships.com www.youngmoney.com www.finaid.org
www.srnexpress.com www.practicalskills.com www.nhheaf.org
www.collegelink.com www.youngbiz.com www.mapping-your-future.org
    www.state.nh.us/postsecondary

Free Grant Money and Scholarships for Students

All TA seniors going to college are qualified to receive free grant money and scholarships. Vermont TA students need to complete a Vermont Grant Application, which have been distributed by Guidance. New Hampshire seniors will still qualify for some money, but they do not have to complete these applications.

Scholarships for New Hampshire Students
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is the largest source of independent student aid in New Hampshire, so visit www.nhcf.org and click on their Student Aid page for more information about student scholarships.

Applying for Scholarships
Tips for high school students and parents from VSAC

Now is the time to apply for scholarships available for the 2010-2011 school year. Stop by your high school guidance office to pick up a VSAC Scholarships booklet, request one directly from VSAC (call toll-free 1-888-253-4819), or print one out at www.vsac.org. The booklet provides descriptions and application forms for more than 80 VSAC-assisted scholarships. It also contains reliable information about more than 40 scholarships administered by other agencies and organizations, along with a useful list of scholarship-search reference books and Web sites.
Scholarships, like grants, are gifts of money that do not need to be repaid. Unlike grants, which are most often awarded based on financial need alone, scholarships most often have unique eligibility requirements based on such factors as residency, certain proven academic achievements or demonstrated talents, a specific planned course of study, or extracurricular participation. Financial need may or may not be one of the selection criteria.
You should plan to begin your scholarship search nine to 12 months before the start of the academic year for which you need funds, so if you're a senior with plans to attend college in the fall of 2010, start now if you haven't already. Begin within your town or region--check with your guidance counselor, town officials, the staff at local churches, and owners of local businesses. Community groups such as Rotary International and lodges like the Elks often offer scholarships, too. Once you've exhausted local resources, expand your search to include regional and national organizations.
Early in the process, be certain to contact the financial aid office of the college or university you will be attending. Staff there can provide you with information on scholarships restricted to the school. In addition, a financial aid officer can help you understand how receiving a scholarship may affect other aid you are awarded (e.g., loans, work-study, grants, and other scholarships). If you are applying to more than one school, be sure to contact the financial aid office at each one!

Scholarship Binders in Guidance

For a complete list of scholarship information and extra copies of application forms, visit Guidance and check out the Scholarships binders. Scholarships offered through colleges and universities are in the College Information binders in Guidance.

Additional Grant Information

Academic Competitiveness Grant and the National SMART Grant are new grants available through the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid. For more information visit www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov