Vsac vermont state gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs

The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) received a $4.6 million Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP, CFDA 84.334) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. VSAC will deliver comprehensive support services to low-income secondary students throughout Vermont, including academic counseling, financial aid guidance, mentoring, tutoring, and scholarship assistance. These services are designed to improve high school completion rates, increase college readiness, and support successful postsecondary enrollment among disadvantaged and underserved student populations, including students with disabilities.

The award reflects VSAC's established expertise as a premier educational support organization in Vermont. GEAR UP grants typically fund multi-year initiatives (6-7 years) that combine federal and non-federal resources to provide holistic student support. VSAC's grant portfolio demonstrates significant capacity in managing federal educational funding across multiple programs, positioning the organization to effectively execute evidence-based interventions that reduce dropout risk and prepare students for successful transitions to higher education.