Free help session scheduled for financial aid assistance in Mexico and South Paris

AUGUSTA – Democratic Sen. John Patrick of Rumford is reminding students and families seeking college financial aid about upcoming help sessions for completing federal student aid applications.

The in-person help sessions, sponsored by the Finance Authority of Maine, or FAME, are scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and 6 p.m. Thursday, January 21, at Region 9, School of Applied Technology. FAME and other financial aid professionals will be on site to help complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The events are free.

“For many students, financial assistance can make the difference between pursuing a higher education or not,” said Sen. Patrick. “FAME is a good resource for helping Maine students navigate the process of applying for available financial aid.”

Students and families are encouraged to bring the following information to the help session:

• FSA ID (this user name and password is needed to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including the FAFSA). It is recommended the student and one parent creates it ahead of time at fsaid.ed.gov.

• Social Security numbers (SSN) for 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 about 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.