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VSAC pitches expanded tuition-free aid and an award-letter app to help Vermont students navigate federal changes
Summary
VSAC told the House Education Committee it will seek modest state funding to expand tuition-free programs (802 Opportunity, Freedom & Unity), highlighted forgivable workforce loans (nursing example) and unveiled an AI-based award-letter comparison tool to help students compare true cost across colleges.
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation officials told the House Education Committee on Jan. 9 that the state is better positioned than many others to blunt some federal changes to student aid because of existing state programs, but that modest investments and new tools will be needed.
Scott Giles described 802 Opportunity, which makes Community College of Vermont tuition and fees free for households with incomes of about $100,000 or less, and Freedom & Unity, a tuition-free program at Vermont State Colleges currently supported for households up to roughly $65,000. Giles said VSAC intends to propose an $800,000 budget increase to expand Freedom & Unity…
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