Free help sessions scheduled for financial aid assistance in Portland and Westbrook

AUGUSTA – Democratic Sen. Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth 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. Thursday, January 21, at Westbrook Regional Vocational Center and 1 p.m. Saturday, January 23, at Portland Arts and Technology High School. 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.

“Applying for financial aid can be an intimidating and confusing process and FAME is an excellent resource to help navigate students and families through the paperwork,” said Sen. Millett. “For many students, effectively applying for and getting financial assistance will help make their educational goals more attainable.”

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.