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 - for filing the 2024-2025 FAFSA (class of 2024)
FSA ID Information Tracking Sheet for Students - for filing the 2024-2025 FAFSA (class of 2024)
Get Ready to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA Worksheet - (class of 2024)
Sign up for one of these free, virtual Financial Aid Info Sessions
- Check back later for additional dates, or visit the "Events" page of the FAME website for a more up-to-date calendar

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

NEED PERSONALIZED HELP FILING THE FAFSA?

OPTION 1: Provided by FAME, these Zoom based sessions will consist of two parts. First, a short FAFSA overview, followed by private, one-on-one virtual help from FAME staff, if needed. The goal will be to provide you with the necessary support to file the FAFSA that evening! All services are FREE! Search for "FAFSA Help Sessions" on FAME's Event Calendar. Due to the delayed release of the FAFSA, dates have not yet been set.