Free help session scheduled for financial aid assistance in Westbrook

Posted: January 07, 2016 | Senator Breen

AUGUSTA – Democratic Sen. Cathy Breen of Falmouth is reminding students and families seeking college financial aid about an upcoming help session for completing federal student aid applications.

The in-person help session, sponsored by the Finance Authority of Maine, or FAME, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, January 21, at Westbrook Regional Vocational 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.

“FAME is a great resource to connect students and families to the financial aid that is available,” said Sen. Breen. “For many Mainers, this assistance can make the difference in getting a higher education.”

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.