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Vermont – One State Network That Has Made Access and Awareness a State-wide Priority

Learn about the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) and its mission to provide financial and informational resources for educational pursuits post high school. Discover the historical development and services offered.

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Vermont – One State Network That Has Made Access and Awareness a State-wide Priority

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  1. General Session Vermont – One State Network That Has Made Access and Awareness a State-wide Priority Presenter: Don Vickers, President Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC)

  2. A Spectrum of Services ... ... for a Spectrum of Students

  3. What is VSAC All About? To ensure that all Vermonters have the necessary financial and informational resources to pursue their educational goals beyond high school.  … just what I wanted to know!!!

  4. Fundamental Principle “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there!!!” -- old Arabic saying

  5. What We’ll Look At • Historical development of VSAC Model • How and why it works

  6. 1965 – Landmark Year HEA signed Vermont creates VSAC

  7. 1965 – Unifying Objectives HEA signed • A more concentrated focus • Emphasized access and choice • Guaranteed Student Loan program • Education Opportunity Grants Vermont creates VSAC

  8. VSAC’s Founding Principles • Independent organization • Representative, decision-making Board • Mission-driven

  9. 1970’s 1969 Deepened our commit- ment to need-based aid Created our Outreach program by adding “Talent Search” VSAC’s Development

  10. 1980’s 1970’s VSAC began shift from solely a guarantor to lender. Expanded Outreach services to all H.S. levels & adults VSAC’s Development

  11. 1995 1990’s Vermont’s sole FFELP lender Networked With DET to help students with career, Ed & fin aid services VSAC’s Development

  12. 2001 1999 VSAC Resource Center opens Begin GEAR-UP services VSAC’s Development

  13. Self-help Library Counselors On-line Resource Center Symbolic

  14. A Continuum of Services Serving People Appropriately at Different Stages of Their Lives

  15. “You haven’t opened up my account in the Vt. Higher Education Investment Plan!” A Continuum of Services

  16. A Continuum of Services Middle School • Increasing parental involvement • Problem solving; decision making • Academic planning for H.S. • Early exposure to career exploration, college environment, self-awareness

  17. A Continuum of Services High School • Raising college aspirations • Career awareness • Financial aid planning & info • Curriculum & professional development

  18. A Continuum of Services College • Need-based grants • Scholarships • FFLEP & alternative loans

  19. A Continuum of Services Adults • Parent loans • Non-traditional grants • Career awareness • College selection &transition • Financial aid planning

  20. Partnerships; Collaboration • We don’t operate in a vacuum • Our services are designed to complement other programs and providers • Our intent is catalytic: To make others more successful at what they do

  21. Middle schools, high schools, tech schools Partnerships; Collaboration

  22. Partnerships; Collaboration Post-secondary Education & Training

  23. Partnerships; Collaboration State & other agencies

  24. Partnerships; Collaboration Businesses, state & regional boards

  25. Taking our Temperature • Cooperation pays: 38% increase in HE funding • H.S. class of 2001: • 65% of all graduates continued • 76% of Outreach students continued • 97% of Vermont respondents aware of VSAC

  26. Some Conclusions • The Vermont experience may be atypical; not all states have “bundled” agencies • We have learned some lessons

  27. Some Conclusions • People are looking for ways to pull information together • A cooperative venture among schools, agencies and guarantors holds promise

  28. Some Conclusions • Reaching out to guidance counselors and teachers effective • Their efforts must be supplemented • BOTTOM LINE: you can’t do it alone!

  29. Technical Assistance For more information, contact Don Vickers at: Phone: (802) 655-9602 Email: vickers@vsac.org www.vsac.org

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