January 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Contact: Irene Racz, Director of Public Affairs, 802-655-9602, x240)

VSAC VP Named to National Advisory Committee

WINOOSKI — Scott Giles of Shelburne, vice president for policy, research and planning at the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), has been appointed to a three-year term on the U.S. Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. The 11-member committee serves as independent counsel to the U.S. Congress and Secretary of Education on financial aid policy. Prior to joining VSAC, Giles served from 2001 to 2003 as deputy chief of staff for the Committee on Science in the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1997 to 2001, he staffed the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in the U.S. Senate, playing an instrumental role in most of the federal higher education legislation enacted during his tenure with the committee. He also has a background in public affairs and as a legislative assistant. Giles holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia. VSAC is a public nonprofit corporation established in 1965 to help Vermonters plan and pay for education or training beyond high school. VSAC administers the state’s 529 college savings program, Vermont education grants, nearly 150 public and private scholarships, and federal and private education loans. It also offers free college and career planning resources to Vermonters of all ages.