Frequently Asked Questions

What if my teen doesn’t have a clue what he or she wants to do after high school?
This is a common feeling among middle and high school students, so your child is not alone. It’s perfectly okay not to have all the answers right now. In fact, many students who are entering college still don’t know their major, and many college students who have chosen a major change their minds at least once before they graduate. Did you know that, on average, a person changes careers five times before the age of 30?

A good place for your teen to start is to think about what he or she already likes to do or things he or she is good at. For instance, maybe your teen loves skateboarding. What is it about skateboarding that’s so great? Is it the satisfaction of inventing a cool new trick? If so, maybe a creative field like graphic design or video game development may interest your teen – and Vermont has tons of schools and programs he or she could check out with lots of options in creative fields.

I’d love for my teen to go to college, but it’s so expensive. How can we afford it?
There is money, called financial aid, available to help your family pay for college and other education programs beyond high school. Financial aid can come from different places: the federal government, the state of Vermont (through VSAC), the college your teen attends, and private sources. Your family’s chances of getting financial aid depend on a variety of factors and the source of the funding. Federal and state grant aid tends to be need-based; aid from colleges or private sources may either be based on a student’s need, or on their grades or talents. One thing is certain: If your teen doesn’t apply, or if he or she applies but doesn’t observe deadlines, it makes it difficult to get aid. There is no fee to apply for federal, state, or college aid, so it’s important to fill out all the paperwork required to see whether your teen is eligible. You can also search for scholarships from local, state, and national organizations. VSAC has all the information you and your teen need on how to apply for financial aid, when the deadlines are, searching for scholarships, and more. For more information, visit www.vsac.org and click on the Pay for College tab, visit our resource center in Winooski (no appointment required), or attend one of our free Paying for College presentations, held every fall in each high school in Vermont.

By the way, the word “college” doesn’t only mean a four-year degree. Vermont offers many programs that can be completed in two years, and other types of programs, too. These often cost a lot less than a four-year program.

How does my teen learn more about jobs that would be good for someone with his or her skills and interests?
Right here on this site! Check out the links in the Find Out More section. You can also look at vtcareergateway.org, and several other sites.

My teen isn’t ready to jump right into a career, but college doesn’t seem right either. Are there other options?
Not everyone goes to college right after high school. A “gap year” can provide the time your teen needs to explore his or her interests, travel, or perform community service. An apprenticeship program is an opportunity for your teen to work and train while getting paid to do it. There are also short-term training opportunities, technical programs, military options, or your teen could even start his or her own business! Another great option is a community college or other two-year program, which offer lots of choices focused on preparation for a career or a four-year college program. Check out the links in the Find Out More section.

What tests does my teen need to take to get into college?
The tests that your teen may need to take are the ACT or the SAT, depending on the school he or she applies to. Some will accept scores from either test, and some schools even waive the requirement to submit test scores if your teen’s grades and other application information are strong enough without the scores. Check with individual schools; the school’s Web site will normally have the information in the admissions section.

What if my teen has bad grades? Can he or she still get into school?
There are 4,000 colleges in the United States, and we believe there is a program for everyone. Depending on your teen’s grades, he or she may need to take a non-degree course or two at your local community college, technical center, or other program to demonstrate college-readiness. Also, some schools may be especially interested in accepting a teen with particular skills or interests. Encourage your teen to speak with his or her school counselor to learn about options.

How can the school counselor help my teen?
The school counselor is one of your teen’s greatest resources. He or she can help your teen figure out what classes to take in high school, give your teen different options for life beyond high school, and keep your teen updated on deadlines for tests, financial aid, etc. Your teen needs to be his or her own advocate, though, so remind your teen to check in with the school counselor regularly.

Is there anyone who can help my teen with college applications? What about all those financial aid forms?
The school counselor, as well the helpful folks at VSAC, can assist. Check out www.vsac.org for information on applying to and paying for college, and look for scheduled events and trainings that assist parents in filling out financial aid forms and applications.

Only the really smart kids get to go college and get all the money to go to college — right?
Not at all. Certain types of financial aid, or money for college, are based entirely on financial need, and not on grades. There are also scholarships given out to teens for lots of reasons, ranging from the town in which a student lives to the ability to play sports to what a student is interested in pursuing after high school. The important thing is that your teen does the legwork to find out what is available, and apply for everything he or she may be eligible for. Check out www.vsac.org for more information.

There is a school or training program for everyone. In addition to four-year colleges, there are also two-year colleges and community colleges. These types of schools and programs often have very affordable tuition, and your teen can save additional money by living at home. Check out the links in the Find Out More section for more info!