Thank you the Independent for its Oct. 9 editorial, “360,000 reasons high school grads need higher education,” and for its excellent suggestions for resources to get started (such as VSAC, vsac.org).
Another great resource is Community College of Vermont (ccv.edu). We are an open admissions college offering classes at 12 Vermont locations (including Middlebury and Rutland) as well as fully online. To help students get started, our financial aid counselors and academic advisors are available to meet one-on-one for free with prospective students of all ages and walks of life. Whether you’re an adult looking to get college credit for life experience learning, a high school student exploring college through dual enrollment, or you’ve been out of school for some time and want to make a change, there’s a place for you at CCV. 
CCV offers a range of associate’s degrees, and also partners with four-year colleges to offer transfer pathways, some with guaranteed admission. This year, we are thrilled to announce the Vermont State College’s new Direct Admissions program. While CCV graduates have always transferred successfully to other VSC schools and four-year colleges around the country, this new program creates secure pathways (some with huge financial benefits) for students to simultaneously complete a CCV associate’s degree while working towards their bachelor’s degree at another VSC school.
The Vermont State Colleges’ Direct Admissions program gives Community College of Vermont students guaranteed transfer admission to Castleton University, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College or Vermont Technical College.
There are so many benefits to joining, such as:
•  Maximizing time at CCV. With our transfer maps, students know exactly what to take at CCV and how it fits into a bachelor’s degree.
•  Saving time and money. CCV offers Vermont’s lowest tuition costs and with transfer plans in place, there’s no time spent wondering about how credits will be used to satisfy requirements of a bachelor’s degree. It’s all determined ahead of time. Students may be eligible for special scholarships at their destination college.
•  No uncertainty. When students follow the transfer map, there’s no need to worry if they are taking the right classes.
•  Support from a team. By enrolling in the VSCS Direct Admissions program, students have access to customized support from two schools working together for them.
•  No hoops to jump through. When it’s time to transfer, students won’t need to apply, pay fees, or even have transcripts sent. CCV will take care of that for them.
•  Test the waters. CCV students can try out classes at their destination college and still pay the CCV tuition rate (fall and spring only).
• Two degrees instead of one. Students finish with both their associate’s and bachelor’s degrees.
I encourage everyone to explore the details at vsc.edu/direct-admissions.
This week’s writer is Anya Schwartz, coordinator of Academic Services at the Community College of Vermont in Middlebury.