The Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA) has been merged with FAME effective October 15, 2015. This will provide a convenient “one-stop” shopping experience for Maine students and their families for their higher education financing needs. Like MELA, which provided private or alternative student loans, FAME’s mission is to assist Maine students and their families in achieving their higher education goals. FAME provides a variety of higher education resources, including financial education and outreach, as well as grant, scholarship, loan, loan guarantee, loan forgiveness and college savings programs. The Maine Loan and the Maine Medical Loan, formerly offered by MELA, will continue to be offered by FAME.