The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) announced the receipt of a $50,000 grant from Lumina Foundation for Education to continue support of the 2007-2009 College Goal Sunday program in Maine. The grant will help pay for administrative expenses such as site fees, printing, postage, and supplies.
College Goal Sunday is a statewide volunteer program that provides free information and assistance to students and families who are applying for financial aid for post secondary education. All families with students planning to attend college are welcome to participate. The program places particular emphasis on helping low-income, first-generation families. Adults who are returning to school also are encouraged to attend. College Goal Sunday brings together financial aid professionals from colleges and universities along with other volunteers to help college-bound students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This form is required for any student seeking federal and state financial aid, including grants and loans at all colleges in the country.
This coming year in Maine, College Goal Sunday will take place on January 28, 2007 at 2 p.m. at various locations throughout the State. To find a location nearest you, directions, or to learn more about the program, visit www.collegegoalsundaymaine.com. Interested individuals also may contact FAME at 1-800-228-3734 or by email at: .
At the various Maine sites, participants may obtain free on-site professional assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, talk to financial aid professionals about financial aid resources and how to apply, receive information regarding state-wide student services, admission requirements, and more. To date, over 1,500 Maine families have been assisted by the College Goal Sunday program.
“FAME is grateful to Lumina Foundation for its generosity in helping us continue to reach out to students and families who may feel overwhelmed by the financial aid process. By helping to demystify the FAFSA form and by providing important information and assistance to Mainers, FAME hopes to reduce the financial barriers to access and encourage all Mainers to attend college,” stated FAME CEO John Witherspoon.
FAME is an independent state agency that develops and administers programs related to the financing of both higher education and business in the State of Maine. Its primary goal is to provide targeted financing tools, information and solutions that enable Maine citizens and businesses to take advantage of opportunities to further their education and grow Maine's economy. With respect to higher education financing, FAME helps Maine students and families meet the costs through a variety of loan, grant and scholarship programs. To aid in this important effort, FAME also oversees an extensive outreach and counseling program that is designed to encourage young people to aspire to and pursue higher education. To learn more about FAME, visit our website at www.famemaine.com.
Maine’s College Goal Sunday also is made possible through generous support from the following sponsors: Maine Advantage; Sallie Mae Family Lenders; Maine Zero Fee; Bank of America; EdFund; Gorham Savings Bank; Key Education Resources; Kennebec Savings Bank; Maine Educational Loan Authority; Maine Education Services; and cPort Credit Union. In addition to FAME and Lumina Foundation, the following partners provide valuable time and advice through volunteers: Maine Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) and Maine Educational Opportunity Association (MEEOA). Finally, NextGen College Investing Plan®, a partner as well, will contribute to the program by awarding a $250 scholarship to a student at each site.
Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based, private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Through grants for research, innovation, communication, and evaluation, as well as policy education and leadership development, Lumina Foundation addresses issues that affect access and educational attainment among all students, particularly underserved student groups, including adult learners. For more details on the Foundation, visit its website at www.luminafoundation.org. College Goal Sunday is managed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), based in Washington, D.C., www.nasfaa.org.
