Free help session scheduled for financial aid assistance in Bangor

Posted: January 07, 2016 | Senator Gratwick

AUGUSTA – Democratic Sen. Geoff Gratwick of Bangor is reminding students and their families who want to know about financial aid for college about an upcoming help session for completing federal student aid applications.

This in-person session, sponsored by the Finance Authority of Maine, (FAME), is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, at the United Technologies Center. FAME and other financial aid professionals will be on site to help complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The event is free.

“Applying for financial aid can be a confusing process and FAME is an excellent resource to help Maine students navigate their way through the maze,” said Sen. Gratwick. “This assistance can make the dream of continued education a reality.”

Students are strongly encouraged to bring the following information:

• FSA ID (this user name and password is needed to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including the FAFSA). A student and one parent can create it at fsaid.ed.gov.

• Social Security numbers (SSN) for both student and parents.

• Information to estimate student and parent’s 2015 income, such as W-2 forms or last year’s Federal Income Tax Returns, and other records of money earned.

• Current bank statements for student and parents.

According to FAME, only 62 percent of Maine high school seniors completed the FAFSA by May 1 of last year. As a result, many students left significant grant money on the table, while others missed out on financial aid completely.