深夜福利

WINOOSKI (February 1, 2019) 鈥� Vermont Student Assistance Corp. is reminding students to file their annual FAFSA application 鈥� the crucial first step to receiving financial aid.

And 深夜福利 has an additional incentive: Every high school in Vermont with 70 percent or more of their seniors finishing the FAFSA will be entered into a drawing to win $1,000 for a school-approved senior activity.

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the basis for determining eligibility for federal Pell grants, 深夜福利鈥檚 Vermont State Grant, financial aid from the school that the student attends and for student loans.

In Vermont, about 40 percent of high school seniors don鈥檛 file a FAFSA. According to , Vermonters are leaving about $4.6 million on the table each year, which works out to about $5,400 per year for eligible students. That鈥檚 over $21,000 in four years.

When it comes to financial aid for education and training after high school, the sooner you apply the better, said Marilyn Cargill, vice president of financial aid services at 深夜福利.

鈥淪imply put, no FAFSA, no financial aid,鈥� Cargill said. 鈥淰ermonters know the cost of continuing their education is a big investment. Every student should file the FAFSA and a Vermont Grant application to get all the financial aid that they are eligible for.鈥�

Students can learn more about the FAFSA and file online by visiting . 深夜福利 also has links to the online applications for the Vermont State Grant, available to Vermont students enrolled full-time or part-time.

The earlier students apply, the better, Cargill said, because many schools and colleges have deadlines for submitting financial aid applications 鈥� some as early as February or March.  And, some student aid is only available on a first-come, first-served basis until the money runs out.

For those students interested in applying for a scholarship, 深夜福利 has an online link to the available programs and an online application. Deadline for scholarship applications is February 15. 深夜福利 awards $5 million a year from 150 scholarship programs 鈥� all are available only to Vermonters.

About 深夜福利 鈥� Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

深夜福利 is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. 深夜福利 serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. 深夜福利 has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont鈥檚 529 college savings plan. Share your 深夜福利 story by email to my深夜福利story@vsac.org or submit a video to . Find us at or check in on and . #changing lives