Beyond High School (Programs & Funding)

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Programs

Exploring your options and making a choice can seem overwhelming. Take your time and identify the aspects of an education or training program that are most important to you.  This section has tools that will help you identify what is available.

College

• Consortium of Vermont Colleges
• Career Education Directory
• VSAC – VT Guidance Central
• Vermont State Colleges
• VSAC - List of Vermont Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools
• College Opportunities Online Locator
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on College

Check out a College Fair to learn more about schools in the region

• NEACAC – College Fair Listings

Career and College Testing Resources

Test Preparation

• VSAC – VT Guidance Central – Test Gear
• VSAC Pathfinder – Test Preparation
• Accuplacer Practice
• Learning Express

Test registration

• College Board
• ACT

Other testing resources

• The National Center for Fair & Open Testing
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on College Entrance Exams

Continuing education

• Johnson State College – External Degree Program
• University of Vermont – Continuing Education Programs  
• School for International Training – Continuing Education
• Bennington College
• Burlington College - Independent Degree Program
• Champlain College
• College of St. Joseph
• Community College of Vermont
• Goddard College
• Vermont College (The Union Institute)
• Woodbury College
• Springfield College of Human Services
• Vermont Technical College – Online Instruction Center
• Vermont Technical College - Technology Extension Division
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on Continuing Education

Distance learning

• Get Educated
• VSAC Pathfinder – Distance Learning
• Ed2go
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on Distance Learning

Starting a business – Workshops, training and resources

• Vermont Women’s Business Center
• Vermont Micro Business Development Program
• Vermont Small Business Development Center
• Think Vermont
• Vermont Small Business Administration
• Startup Journal
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on Starting a Business

Apprenticeships and short-term training opportunities

• Vermont Registered Apprenticeship
• Vermont Works for Women  
• Vermont Department of Labor- Programs
• Vermont Career and Technical Education Programs
• VSAC Pathfinder – Short Term Training Opportunities and Certificate Programs
• Vocational Rehabilitation – Vermont
• Job Corps

Guidance for Adult Students

• VSAC Pathfinder – Adult Students
• VSAC - Adult Student Handbook
• Plan for College – Adult Tips
• VT 211.org       
• Heath Resource Center 
• Mapping Your Future – Adult Student Center

Services for students with disabilities

• Vocational Rehabilitation – Vermont
• Stern Center for Language and Learning
• College Board – Accommodations for testing
• ACT – Accommodations for testing
• VSAC Pathfinder – Students with Disabilities
• Heath Resource Center
• Vermont Educational Opportunities Program
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on Students with Disabilities

Education Resources for Refugees and Immigrants to the U.S.

• Education Resources for Refugees and Immigrants to the U.S.
• Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program

Paying for Education

Many education and training programs require careful financing to lead to a successful outcome.  Learn about all your options and talk to the experts. Before you sign anything, be sure you understand your financial obligations in the future.

• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
• VSAC Pathfinder – Scholarships
• VSAC – Pay for College
• Vermont Opportunities Credit Union
• Search the VSAC lending library for titles on Paying for College

Possible Sources of Financial Aid for Adult Students

Because financial circumstances among adult students vary considerably, each prospective student needs to think about options for financing his or her education.  The following list includes possibilities to consider.  Meet with a VSAC staff member to decide what will work best for you.

• grants (state, federal, institutional)
• scholarships (those administered by VSAC and those from other organizations and agencies)
• federal work-study program
• federal Loans (Stafford, Perkins)
• private education loans (VSAC Advantage Loan, TAP loan, and others)
• home equity loans (depending on the individual’s financial situation)
• loan forgiveness programs
• college savings/investment plans (Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, administered by VSAC; Individual Development Accounts through community action agencies; PASS program through Social Security)
• tuition reimbursement through employer
• employment at a college (graduate assistantships,  residence life jobs, other employment that may provide tuition remission)
• Americorps/Vista awards
• veterans’ benefits
• vocational rehabilitation funding
• Reach Up/PSE program
• funding through Vermont Department of Labor (i.e., Workforce Investment Act funds,  Trade Adjustment Act funds)
• graduate program funding (teaching or research assistantships, fellowships, residence life jobs)
• alternative ways to get college credits (CLEP and DANTES tests, Assessment of Prior Learning and other portfolio classes)