A new program from VSAC aims to get students as young as seventh grade energized about higher education with a dose of reality and lots of enthusiasm.

As the Vermont State Police alters their taser policy and Montpelier decides whether its police officers should carry the devices, we look at policies governing their use.

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. is poised to get $1.3 million in federal funds to service federal student loans, which would be a new role for the organization.

VPR's Mitch Wertlieb talks with Vermont Studant Assistance Corporation President & CEO Don Vickers about new rules for federal education loans that recently went into effect.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Vermont Student Assistance Corportation executive director, Don Vickers about changes to the federal directing lending program for student loans.

A bill pending in Congress is causing worries in Vermont that it would cripple a nonprofit state college loan program.

The Vermont Senate considers a bill today that will grant anonymity to donors who give to the University of Vermont and other public colleges in the state. 

Colleges will be notifying incoming students about financial aid in the next few weeks, but Congress has not settled a debate about student loans.

UVM president Dan Fogel is urging Congress to exempt VSAC, the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, from proposed legislation that's designed to reform student loan programs throughout the country.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with VSAC President Don Vickers and Chronicle of Higher Education reporter Becky Supiano about how federal legislation could impact the agency.

We talk with Don Vickers, the President of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation about how the agency could be forced to scale back.  Also, chef Emeril Lagasse visits the region, and we celebrate the music and life of Blanche Moyse.

The U.S. House approved a bill on Thursday revamping federal college financial assistance and boosting the amount of money going to students.

The leader of state's key institution for student loans says the organization is going through changes in the current financial climate but that it has a solid financial base.  

VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with VSAC President Don Vickers about comparing financial aid packages, and strategies for covering the cost of college.

As financial aid decisions are on the horizon for many families, we talk with the head of VSAC about paying for college, and how Vermont's key student assistance organization is fairing in the financial markets. Also, how Calvin Coolidge capaigned (or didn't) for the presidency, and a food hub may help keep growing food manufacturers local.

How Google has changed our expectations for quick access to information and methods of sharing data, and how it's stretched our thinking around digital privacy. Also, the why the state extends "moral obligation debt" to some important institutions; and an essayist is suspicious of all the ways he's being watched.

Good new for anyone trying to pay off their student loans-with this year's annual reset, the federal rate went down. And for families trying to plan for college, the rate for new borrowers will also decrease. Don Vickers, President of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation tells VPR's Mitch Wertlieb about the rates.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: Vermont's prime student loan agency says it has avoided that upheaval because it's struck a deal with a bank for $390 million in financing. This weekend at Mill River Union High School, middle school students will be presenting Robert Frost's work on stage in an original, multimedia adaptation called "Frost Rimes.''

Upheaval in credit markets has thrown many college loan programs into chaos, just as students are making choices about where they'll study next year. Vermont's prime student loan agency says it has avoided that upheaval because it's struck a deal with a bank for $390 million in financing. VPR's Ross Sneyd reports.

Don Vickers, director of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, and Karen Gross, president of Southern Vermont College, talk with us about what families need to consider in their plan to pay that tution bill. Also, what are the implications when part of the Champion Lands change hands - again. And Vermonters wax poetic about ... potholes.