MHS Counseling Department

Counselor-Lissa Knauss, lissak@mpsvt.org

Counselor-Amanda Payne, amandapayne@mpsvt.org

Registrar-Diana Koliander, dianakoliander@mpsvt.org

PowerSchool Questions-Aaron Kennison, aaronkennison@mpsvt.org

Lonny Wade Memorial Scholarship $2000

This scholarship is in memory of Lonny Wade, a local and very generous man from Williamstown, VT, who was a certified Health and Safety Trainer that worked with many businesses to promote safety in the workplace.

For any student entering a trade, but not necessarily enrolled in a tech program. Trades eligible are: plumbing, heating, electrician, forestry & natural resources, law enforcement, public safety, emergency services, fire services and automotive.

Applications in the Counseling Office, on our Scholarship Page and here.

Due May 15th-This Wednesday!

Clara J. Hill Scholarship of Alpha Delta Kappa $500

This scholarship is offered by the Vermont Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa and is for graduates who plan a career in teacher education, needs financial aid, has exhibited qualities of leadership, has participated in school and community activities and has good moral character.

Applications in the Counseling Office, on our Scholarship Page and here.

Due May 22

Beginning in the fall semester of 2024, qualified Vermont residents can attend Vermont State University tuition free!

Delivering high quality and affordable education is our number one priority. With locations spanning across the entire state, Vermonters can be sure to have greater access to our programs going forward. VTSU will close the standard tuition* gap with institutional aid after all federal, state, institutional, and employer supported aid is applied to a student’s account.

Who is eligible?

• Vermont residents of any age enrolling as new students in degree programs starting in the fall semester of 2024 or spring semester of 2025.
• Student/family adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less as reflected on their FAFSA.
• Students seeking their initial undergraduate degree. Those with previous bachelor’s degrees do not qualify.

How do students apply?

• Apply and be admitted to Vermont State University for a standard tuition program.
• Submit a FAFSA (School Code: 003698).
• Submit a Vermont Grant Application through VSAC.

What are further requirements for eligibility?

• Register for a minimum of 12 credits each fall and spring semesters (does not include summer).
• Maintain good academic standing (2.0/4.0) and satisfactory academic progress towards degree completion.
• Eligibility will be reviewed each academic year based on the current year FAFSA.

* The Vermont State University Free Tuition Guarantee covers standard program tuition only. Program tuition for Engineering and Technology; Nursing and Respiratory Therapy; and Dental and Radiologic is not covered by this program.

Please connect with any questions. We look forward to continuing to work with you and your Vermont scholars!

Questions? Connect with Admissions!

Last Spring 2024 SAT Date: June 1 (Deadline to register is May 16, 2024)

Register Here

Registration is now open for August 2024-2025- Register Here

Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Decision- It’s important to understand the difference between them and, more importantly, what those dates are for the college(s) that you are applying to.

Early Action: students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution's regular response date.

Early Decision: students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll and withdraw all other applications.

Regular Decision: this is the traditional way to apply to colleges and is non-binding, meaning students can apply to as many schools as they'd like, and can take time to review the offers of admission and financial aid packages before making a choice.

FAFSA - Free Application For Student Aid

You need to complete this in order to apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid. Changes to the FAFSA can be found Here

Step 1: Start with the FAFSA. Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) unlocks federal financial aid as well as other potential financial aid resources, including the Vermont state grant, school aid, need-based scholarships and more. Every high school senior should apply.

• Need more assistance? Schedule a 1:1 meeting with a VSAC counselor to get personalized guidance, or call our toll-free FAFSA helpline at 833-802-8722 (Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm).

Step 2: Apply for a Vermont grant. As a VT resident, you're eligible to apply for a Vermont state grant with VSAC. The math is simple — your FAFSA + Vermont state grant = $$$ for your education.

Step 3: Explore scholarships. Start with VSAC’s scholarship booklet, (copies available in Guidance too!) listing more than 120 scholarships administered by VSAC that Vermont students can apply for. Also check in with the financial aid office and websites of the schools that you plan to apply to for instructions for school scholarships, and specific due dates.

SCHOLARSHIPS: This is money to go toward college costs that you don’t need to pay back! These are accessible in different ways: directly from the college you apply to, from private sources, national and local, and through VSAC. Many are due in April and May, and Diana in Guidance will email and advertise here about them. Here we will break it down for you:

Local Scholarships- in Naviance. These are local organizations in Central Vermont like Central Vermont Medical Center, Elks, VFW etc. and students apply directly to them.

MHSCA Scholarships- in Naviance, these are scholarships that were created by MHS alumni. Students fill out a “Common App-MHSCA” to be considered for these and in May, the scholarship committee meets to determine recipients.

VSAC-Assisted Scholarships- these are found in the VSAC Scholarship Booklet (coming soon and available in the Guidance Office) or in their on-line catalog. Due date is in February, and these have very specific criteria.

State-Wide Scholarships- in Naviance, these are supported by organizations that are throughout Vermont, like 802 or Vermont Federal Credit Union, Knights of Columbus, Vermont Golf Association etc.

National Scholarships- a good site to look at is https://studentscholarships.org/

Grants: Source of money, like scholarships, that do not need to be repaid. These can come from the federal government (need-based and comes from FAFSA submission), local government (also through FAFSA then submit Vermont Grant application through VSAC), your college or career school (it will show on your financial aid offer sheet) and private or non-profit organizations.

LOANS: If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your school’s financial aid offer. This is money you borrow and have to pay back. This money comes from the federal government, bank or other financial institution, or other organizations (including VSAC).