On the Horizon

FAFSA FORMS NIGHT - RESERVATION REQUIRED

For assistance filing the FAFSA, a representative from VSAC will hold FAFSA Forms Night at VUMHS on Monday, January 22, 2024, 6:30-8pm. This night is designed to assist parents in the process of completing and submitting the FAFSA and Vermont Grant Application online. Parents and/or their students will do the “data entry” using your income, tax and asset information. Families will use their tax returns from 2022 to begin this process. Seats are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a seat, a parent must contact Anne Vincent in the School Counseling Office directly at 802-471-2359 or avincent@anwsd.org. She will confirm your reservation and give you the instructions to prepare you and your student for Forms Night. Students are encouraged to attend this even with their parents. Parents will need to bring their own electronic device even if this means you borrow your student's chromebook. Computers/chromebooks/laptops will not be provided. This session is limited to 15 families and will be held in room C1(the first classroom on the left in the middle school hallway).

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Programs for Juniors

More than 600 scholarships ranging from $10,000-$25,000 will be awarded. Eligibility requirements include: Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States; exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States immediately after high school graduation (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution); demonstrate critical financial need ($65,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required); be involved in co-curricular and community service activities; display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity; maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; be a United States citizen. Apply here. Information sheet for Horatio Alger Scholarship for Juniors. Application deadline is March 15, 2024.

Reminder for Seniors - Available Scholarships:

Seniors are encouraged to check the linked document, Scholarships Currently Available for Application, often. This document is updated on a regular basis and scholarships are starting to come in more often from now through spring.

PSAT Score Information:

For those of you who took the PSAT in October, you have been able to access your PSAT scores through the College Board for a few weeks now. If you would like a paper copy of your PSAT scores, you are welcome to come to the School Counseling Office and get a copy. This document is a reference tool for you to help understand your PSAT scores If you have any questions about your PSAT scores, please check in with your school counselor - Ms. Oliveira or Ms. Edelman.

Air Force Academy Summer Seminar 2024 - High School Juniors:

Applications for USAFA Summer Seminar 2024 opened on December 1st and close on January 15th. Summer Seminar is an exceptional opportunity for an interested student to understand the opportunities available at the Air Force Academy and experience cadet life for one week during one of three sessions in June of 2024. The first two sessions are in-person, and the last session is virtual. In-person selectees are responsible for their transport to and from Colorado Springs, and there is a tuition of $300, but the Air Force pays for their activities plus room, board, and local transportation while at the academy. The summer seminar is an outreach program and is NOT a pre-screening or prerequisite in any way to apply for appointment to the academy. However, it provides an uncommon insight into what a service academy education can offer — it is perhaps the ultimate college visit. The process is competitive, with only 20% of applicants selected for roughly 600 slots. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to apply, and applicants must provide grades 9-11 English and Math grades. SAT scores, if available, should be entered on the application. Applicants will also be asked to provide a personal profile that highlights their accomplishments and leadership. More information and the link to apply is available at https://www.academyadmissions.com/prepare/high-school/summer-seminar/. Interested students and their families are welcome to contact David Pistilli (Col, USAF (retired)) via email or phone, david.pistilli@icloud.com or 802-989-7440 if you have any questions.

Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest - Grades 9-12:

Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest is open for 2024! Cancer Unwrapped is a writing contest for any teen around the country touched by cancer. This annual event encourages teens in grades 9-12 to write about their experience with cancer for the opportunity to win one of several $1,000 prizes. The deadline for entries is March 1, 2024. More information can also be found here.

FAFSA and FSA ID Help from Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC): Seniors and Families - VSAC is offering 30-minute appointments through January 2024 with virtual and in-person options available. Visit our Calendly page to sign up for a meeting. FAFSA filing appointments will be offered after the FAFSA becomes available later this year. For more information, visit the VSAC calendar of events in December. In the meantime, see these VSAC infographic flyers for information regarding the new FAFSA form: Focus on FAFSA , Focus on FAFSA with VSAC Questions? Call our toll-free helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm).

Use these links for instructions on how to create your FSA ID and how to create a MyVSAC Account:

How to create an FSA ID

How to create a MyVSAC Account