# # # As Vermont students returned to campus this week, Rep. Peter Welch held a roundtable Wednesday morning to discuss college affordability and gather input about pending legislation that could revamp the nation’s financial aid system.Welch was joined at the roundtable, which was held at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, by students and higher education officials from throughout Vermont. The group focused its discussion on the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3221), which passed the House Education and Labor Committee this summer and which is expected to come to a vote in the House this fall.“Throughout Vermont, students and parents are struggling to afford college. While federal financial aid programs help many Vermonters pay their tuition bills, many more still cannot afford this most important investment,” Welch said. “As Congress weighs this comprehensive legislation, it is important for me to hear Vermonters’ feedback to ensure that we pass a bill that expands access and improves affordability.”H.R. 3221 is broad-ranging legislation that would increase the maximum size of Pell Grants, expand access to Perkins Loans, convert all new federal student lending to direct loans, create a new Community College Grant Program and simplify federal student loan applications.Participants in Welch’s forum included Tim Drew, a Community College of Vermont student, and Jessica Grout, a senior at Vermont Technical College. Representatives from the following organizations and institutions also took part: Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Vermont Technical College, the University of Vermont, Champlain College, Norwich University, Union Institute and University, New England Culinary Institution, College of St. Joseph, Vermont Law School, Marlboro College, Goddard College, Burlington College, St. Michael’s College, Johnson State and Southern Vermont College.Source: Welch’s office.
Submitted to Sumner Newscow — Today’s Wellington High School bulletin for Monday, Feb. 2, 2015:MondayTuesday• Basketball at Buhler, 6 p.m.Wednesday• Jostens Sophomore Class Ring, 2:30 p.m.Thursday• Regional Scholars’ Bowl.Friday• Homecoming Basketball at Wellington vs Augusta.• Wrestling at Rose Hill 11 a.m.Saturday• ACT• Wrestling at Rose Hill 10 a.m.• JV Wrestling at Wichita South 9 a.m.Tuesday lunch: Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes/gravy, tossed salad w/romaine, applesauce, hot roll/jelly.Wednesday lunch: Soft chicken taco, tortilla chips/salsa, refried beans, corn, peaches.Today’s News*Boys C team basketball will be out at 2:15. They will be marked activity.*If you participated in the ASVAB Career Exploration Program, a representative will be here Wednesday, Feb. 4th to discuss your results. Meet in room 107 at 8 am. This will last approximately 1 hour.*You can sign-up out-of-town dates in the office until Thursday after school for the Homecoming dance.*Work Ethic Session #4 is Wednesday at 11:30 am in the FACS room!  Bank of Commerce will be our presenter.*Students: You will need a Student ID to get in to the Homecoming dance. Please sign-up in the office if you need a new one, or are a new student and have not received one. If you do not bring your Student ID the night of the dance, you will be charged $5.00 for a new one. ID’s will be made on Thursday, so please plan ahead.* WHS Juniors: Looking at obtaining a degree in education? Applications are being accepted for the 26th annual Kansas Future Teacher Academy. It will be held on the campus of Emporia State University from Sunday, June 7 to Thursday, June 11th. If you’d like more information, see Mrs. Hatfield in the counselor’s office. *The WHS Madrigals and Mixed Ensemble are doing singing Valengrams this year on the 13th. The Valengrams will be sold during lunch today so find a choir member for more information. *Spirit Week is this week and the theme is Crusaders Blast from the Past.Tomorrow will be Disco FeverThursday will be 80’s BandsFriday will be Crusaders through the decades *There will be a Sophomore Class Ring Meeting tomorrow @ 2:30 in the Auditorium. *There will be a box outside of Ms. Vaughn’s room to put song suggestions in for the homecoming dance- feel free to stop by.