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January 19, 2012
AUGUSTA - Local state representatives today reminded all students planning to attend college in the fall of the importance of filing the 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form soon, and also invited all Maine students and families to attend College Goal Maine on Jan. 29, for assistance in completing the FAFSA.
Reps. Jane Eberle, D-South Portland, Bryan Kaenrath, D-South Portland, and Kim Monaghan-Derrig, D-Cape Elizabeth encourage students and their families to attend.
“College Goal Sunday is an excellent opportunity to learn about the financial aid process. I know first-hand how complex that process can be,” said Monaghan-Derrig. “In these financial times it is important that students get the best access to all available financial aid opportunities.”
College Goal Sunday is a statewide volunteer program coordinated by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) that provides free information and assistance to students and families who are applying for financial aid for post-secondary education. All families with students planning to attend college are welcome to participate.
The event will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. The workshop scheduled for South Portland and the surrounding region will be held at the Kaplan University Campus, 265 Western Ave., in South Portland. Other workshops will be held throughout the state that day.
Financial aid professionals will provide coaching staff to walk individuals through the application line-by-line and to answer questions regarding state and federal financial aid programs. Attendees should bring copies of their most recent tax information.
The FAFSA is the gateway to all state and federal college financing, and individuals hoping to qualify for financial aid must complete and submit the form. Deadlines for filing the form vary from school to school, and students should carefully consult the deadlines of every school to which they are applying. Online forms and more information are available at: FAFSA.
“College Goal Sunday is an important chance to learn more about the financial aid process,” said Kaenrath. “There’s no question that education is the key to the future, and we need to make sure that students know what resources are out there to help them.”
For directions, to find a location nearest you, or to learn more about the program, please visit: College Goal Sunday. Interested individuals also may contact their guidance counselor or contact FAME at 1-800-228-3734 or by e-mail at: FAME.
Contact:
Jodi Quintero [Eberle, Kaenrath, Monaghan-Derrig], 287-1488, c. 841-6279