August 2011 Archive

Items of Interest for August, 2011:

September is College Savings Month

College Goal Maine

EPIC Web Site Portal

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) recently was notified by the U.S. Department of Education that Maine has been awarded a $1.5 million College Access Challenge Grant for Fiscal Year 2012. 

The Maine College Access Challenge Grant (MCACG) Program is part of a U.S. Department of Education program designed to significantly increase the number of underrepresented students who enter and remain in postsecondary education.

“FAME is pleased to again have been chosen as the Maine recipient of this important grant,” stated Beth Bordowitz, Chief Executive Officer of FAME.  “We look forward to partnering with other organizations across the state to help Maine students and families achieve their postsecondary education goals.” 

Since 2008, FAME has been the designated state administrator of the program.  FAME in turn has collaborated with a variety of statewide organizations and made sub-grants to carry out the purposes of the grant.  Among other things, FAME and its partner sub-grantees have provided Maine students and families information about the benefits of a college education, college opportunities, and college and career planning; informed students and families about financial aid options for college, financial literacy, and debt management; performed outreach activities for students at risk of not continuing their education; assisted families in completing the FAFSA form; provided need-based grants to students; provided professional development for guidance counselors at middle and high schools and financial aid administrators and college admissions counselors at colleges; and increased its commitment to and focus on college access services for adult learners.

During the 2010-2011 academic year, more than 30,000 Maine students and families were assisted by FAME staff.

Grant funds total $1.5 million per year for five years.  FAME will provide a one-third required match, which equals $750,000 per year.  For the 2011-2012 academic year, the funds are expected to be divided between college access services and sub-grants to various partner organizations across the state.

The FAME college access and financial education team includes professionals who not only work with high schools,  middle schools and elementary schools, but also coordinate with colleges, adult education centers, and college access programs to reach students and parents.  The free services provided are available to all Maine citizens, regardless of income.

Additional information on the Maine College Access Challenge Grant Program is available on FAME’s Web site, www.famemaine.com.  Questions about the program should be directed to Angela Dostie at (207) 620-3542 or by e-mail at adostie@famemaine.com.

Items of Interest for July 2011:

NASFAA Update

College Access and Financial Education Year End Numbers

Legislative Updates