VSAC

Even a little goes a long way when is comes to investing in a VT529 education savings account. And as tax year 2024 winds down you may also be thinking about minimizing income taxes—VT529 investments can help with that, too. Deposits made into a VT529 account by December 31 qualify for a 10% Vermont income tax credit, for contributions up to $2,500 per beneficiary per year (or up to $5,000 per beneficiary if filing jointly). A single tax filer could qualify for a state tax credit up to $250 per child, and a couple could claim up to $500 per child. Saint Albans CPA, football coach, and new dad Kris Sabourin, says more: https://lnkd.in/exSKcT-W

Maybe you, or students who you support, are taking advantage of down time and working on your FAFSA financial aid forms over the next few weeks. What happens after they press "submit"? Well, they celebrate, of course, and cross off their list a big part of applying for financial aid! In addition, over the next several days, their form will be processed by the US Department of Education. They'll get a Submission Summary and Student Aid Index. Then, the school/s they listed on their FAFSA will receive their information. More: https://lnkd.in/eCAE3uab

VSAC will once again be the primary sponsor of Cooper Bouchard and his team in 2025. Also a tradesman, high school coach, and mentor to youth, Cooper drives the VSAC #7VT Late Model at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre. We look forward to a great season ahead! More about Cooper: https://lnkd.in/eqwPWRuA

VSAC wrapped, 2024 edition (continued)… Our Spotlights showcase Vermont students and families, and how VSAC supports their journey. These stories inspire and connect us, from serving needs and identifying aspirations, to overcoming barriers and celebrating successes. We find strength in each student’s resilience, as we work to create education and job opportunities. We hope you enjoy—and find joy in—the stories of VSAC students and families, as much as we do. A humble and beautiful voice to help educate the next generation: As Winooski's Passy Matendo pursues next steps at Saint Michael's College, her childhood memories of Tanzania remind her to "slow down and enjoy"—a lesson she passes on to the children she teaches. One of Richford’s “Seven Saplings,” Jake Cunningham is one of Colchester’s newest police officers: When it came to making plans beyond high school, Jake offers some personal advice. “Stay focused. If you focus on yourself, and if you’re determined and motivated, the sky’s the limit. Also, be nice to people and treat everyone with respect. That goes a long way.” Hannah Heinchon of Lowell helps young people thrive in stable housing: No one in Hannah’s family had graduated from college, but she knew from an early age that she wanted to continue her education beyond high school. Years later, an internship in family counseling uncovered great need, that turned into Hannah’s passion and calling. Emily Qiu weighs past, present and future in choosing next steps: Emily Qiu, who graduated last spring from Oxbow High School, is a standout student. But Emily’s academic record didn’t automatically translate into confidence heading into college applications. “I applied to 17 schools, but I had a fear I wouldn’t get accepted anywhere,” she explains. Two classmates from North Country Union High School engineer their future: Cooper Hodgeman and Tate Parker have been challenging each other since elementary school. The two have often teamed up on engineering projects in the school’s mechatronics program. As they move on to next steps, the two friends acknowledge that support is key when applying to and preparing for college. Fourth-generation farmer finds inspiration in 4-H and the tech center classroom: Lizzie Vaughan wasn't sure if agriculture was in her future until she went to Riverbend Technical Center. She learned welding, blacksmithing, logging, and other exciting “real-life stuff.” Lizzie also flourished in 4-H, showing cows and earning awards. She's now earning her associate degree with a focus on agricultural business. More: https://lnkd.in/epUuc3JP (Pages 2-3) #2024wrapped

Tonight's the night! Vermont is brave, independent, and fierce—and we're playing for the national championship. Go Cats Go! 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 Vermont cv. #13 Marshall 8 p.m. uvmathletics.com/dec16 (𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗡𝟮/ESPN+) ncaa.com/game/6348229 go.uvm.edu/cc24 Nectar's Watch Party - 7 p.m. #LetsRally | #MCollegeCup University of Vermont

VSAC’s GEAR UP graduation readiness counselors also support GEAR UP students during their first year out of high school. As part of this effort, we introduced “Book Money Meetings” to reduce “summer melt” (when high school students who graduate with plans to attend college ultimately do not to enroll in college in the fall as planned). College-bound high school grads who participated in VSAC GEAR UP in high school and complete Book Money Meetings with a VSAC counselor over the summer receive a college textbook stipend. At a recent North East Association for Institutional Research meeting, Anna and Colin presented a research poster finding that, for the classes of 2022 and 2023, overall, 23% of students with plans to enroll in postsecondary education “melted” or failed to enroll as intended. However, the rate of summer melt was much lower among VSAC GEAR UP students who completed a Book Money Meeting with VSAC counselors over the summer: only 8% of VSAC GEAR UP students who completed Book Money Meetings “melted,” compared to 38% of students who had plans to enroll in postsecondary education but did not participate in a Book Money Meeting. Although selection bias likely played a role in these results, student feedback suggests that VSAC’s GEAR UP Book Money Meetings have a strong positive impact.

Do you work with students who are thinking about college or training next year? The FAFSA determines eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, grants, and more. 🎯 F. = Free money 🎯 A. = Accessible (and VSAC offers support) 🎯 F. = Flexible aid 🎯 S. = Supports education goals 🎯 A. = Annual opportunity It’s time to file the FAFSA!

Did you know students with less than $75,000 in family income, who don't already have a bachelor's degree, can attend Community College of Vermont (CCV) tuition free? Tap into 802Opportunity to work toward an associate's, certificate, credential, or learn more about a field of study. Registration for the Spring 2025 semester is open—classes start January 21! More: https://lnkd.in/gs6khFhG. Community College of Vermont

VSAC wrapped, 2024 edition… Our Spotlights showcase how VSAC supports the journey of Vermont students and families. These stories inspire and connect us to our students, their barriers and successes, needs and aspirations. With each student and family, we find strength in their resilience, as we work to fulfill our mission to create education and job opportunities. We hope you enjoy—and find joy in—the stories of VSAC students and families, as much as we do. VTSU Johnson student discovers her career with VSAC’s help: Attending Community College of Vermont (CCV) tuition free via 802Opportunity provided a stepping-stone for Jess to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from VTSU and advance in her career supporting new parents. Rising above tragedy to earn a free college education: Mersadies' life turned upside down in just one night when she was 12 years old. Now, Mersadies’ positivity and hard work have earned her a college education and essential financial support for her plans to become a nurse. Amiya keeps her eye on the finish line: As a competitive runner, Amiya knows how to push herself to the finish line. Now a freshman pre-med student, she’s majoring in biochemistry “It’s a big goal,” she says with a smile, “but I feel like every step of the way gets me a little closer to that dream.” Aden teaches newly arrived people to drive thanks to VSAC funding: Earning your driver’s license is an American rite of passage, and a critical step for immigrants who come to the United States later in life. Aden puts his background to work with diverse groups whose cultural and linguistic needs are often overlooked in routine driver’s education. VTSU-Johnson grad helps her college town recover from flood: Kirsty, a first-generation college graduate, agrees that college changed her life. “But it wasn’t my psychology degree that was my biggest takeaway,” she says. “It was finding my passion for community and for helping others... College really turned my life around.” More: https://lnkd.in/epUuc3JP (Page 3) #2024wrapped

Students from 11 schools across the state joined a virtual panel to learn more about career journeys and exploration. The panelists represented four of Vermont’s "most promising jobs": • Brian Kelley, Registered Nurse, Burlington & Essex/Westford School Systems • Tyler Bracey, Curriculum Director/Lead Preschool Teacher, Little Lakers Academy • Senior Airman Alexandra Banke, Crew Chief, Vermont Air National Guard • Zeynep Barut, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Vermont Federal Credit Union The panel was hosted by Kathy Terami of Careers CLiC and Mat Barewicz from the Vermont Department of Labor. This event was produced by VSAC's GEAR UP college and career readiness program, in partnership with Careers CLiC, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation.