College Goal Sunday nears

    PRESQUE ISLE – State Reps. Patricia Sutherland, D-Chapman, and Michael Willette, D-Presque Isle, announced this week that College Goal Sunday 2009 will take place at 2 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Fishbowl (Folsom 105) at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The Democratic representatives urged students planning to go to college in the fall to attend the event.      College Goal Sunday is a volunteer program coordinated by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). The program provides free assistance to students applying for financial aid to attend technical and community colleges and universities. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UMPI program is one of 20 College Goal Sunday events happening throughout the state.
     “For many students, financial aid can make the difference in whether they get a college education,” said Willette. “I encourage all students who are considering college to attend this program and get all the assistance they can.”
    At Sunday’s seminar, FAME will provide staff to walk prospective students through the FAFSA line by line, and answer any questions regarding state and federal financial aid programs. Attendees should bring copies of their most recent tax information. Attendees can also enter to win a $500 scholarship.
    If you are unable to attend this event, you can file your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be cautious using other Web sites with FAFSA in the name, as many charge for assistance in filling out the forms.
    For more information on College Goal Sunday and other higher education resources, contact Rep. Sutherland at 764-1490 or Rep. Willette at 623-3641. You can find more information about College Goal Sunday, including a list of locations, at www.collegegoalsundaymaine.com.