EHS Seniors and parents: There’s money waiting for you for college and career training if you complete your FAFSA now.

When it comes to financial aid for education and training after high school, the sooner you file the better. The FAFSA is the key, literally the gateway, to all financial aid – federal Pell grants, the Vermont State Grant, many scholarships, institutional aid, work-study programs and loans. If you decide not to fill out the FAFSA, you are very likely going to overpay for your education.

The average eligible student will receive $5,400 each year to help pay for their education!

If you fill out the FAFSA before Nov. 30, nine Vermont colleges have an extra incentive – an additional $1,000 FAFSA scholarship drawing when you apply to one of these schools: Bennington College, Castleton University, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, Saint Michael’s College, Southern Vermont College, Sterling College, University of Vermont or Vermont Technical College.

The FAFSA is easy to complete and takes about 30 minutes. There’s even an app for the FAFSA so you can fill it out on your phones, if you want.

Still, first-time filers may have questions or need additional assistance. VSAC will offer financial aid forms workshops here at EHS very soon. The date for EHS is October 24th, from 5pm-7pm!

FAFSA Fridays are back, too, where families can call or make an appointment with a VSAC counselor for individual assistance. Call 833-802-VSAC for more information.

And that’s not all: VSAC is sponsoring a FAFSA Completion Challenge with all public and private high schools in Vermont. Every high school that has 70 percent (or better) of their seniors completing a FAFSA will be entered in a drawing for $1,000 for a school-approved senior class activity. It would be great if Essex High School wins this year!

Click here for more information!