Financial Aid 

Financial Aid: any money that can be used to cover the cost of higher education and it can come in the form of loans, grants, scholarships or work study.

HOW DOES A STUDENT GET FINANCIAL AID?

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Available online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.  The FAFSA is currently being revamped to be even easier to complete.  We anticipate this new FAFSA to be available in December 2023.   Every student planning to attend some sort of education after high school should apply!
• Some colleges require another form called the CSS/PROFILE. To find a complete listing of the colleges that require this form and for info on completing it, visit: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org.  The CSS/PROFILE becomes available on October 1.  Check with each college for their filing deadline.  Cost:  $25 to register and send to one college, $16 for each additional college.  If you qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll be notified at the end of the process.
• Some colleges require their own institutional form, although this is rare.  Students should become familiar with the financial aid process for each college they are planning to apply to by visiting the Financial Aid page of each college’s website.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

FAME, the Finance Authority of Maine, is an excellent resource to help families through the financial aid process.

Visit FAME's website to find step-by-step worksheets and other tools to help you learn more about how to pay for college and complete the FAFSA. You may also want to consider following them on social media to learn even more.  Here are a couple of the great worksheets/resources to guide you through the process:

• FAFSA Information/Overview
• FSA ID Information Tracking Sheeet for Parents 
• FSA ID Information Tracking Sheet for Students 
• Get Ready to File the 2025-2026 FAFSA Worksheet - (class of 2025)
• Sign up for one of these free, virtual Financial Aid Info Sessions
  • Sept. 24, Oct. 9, Oct. 29, or Nov. 18 at 6:30pm.  Visit the "Events" page of the FAME website to register.

You can also search for FAME’s informational videos/resources on their website or on YouTube.  Here are links to some helpful videos:

• Creating Your FSA ID Video
• Comparing Financial Aid Offers Video
• Comparing Financial Aid Offers Worksheet

NEED PERSONALIZED HELP FILING THE FAFSA?

Contact FAME for one-on-one virtual Financial Aid Coaching!