Season's Greetings from the Maine Educational Opportunity Center!!
Please visit us online at http://meoc.maine.edu/
In this month's issue - THE BIG FINANCIAL AID ISSUE:
*Financial Aid Workshops for you!
*List of upcoming workshops around the state (Make sure to call and register as dates/times/locations are subject to change)
*Financial Aid Trivia!
*Services offered by MEOC
*Staff listing
*Reminder about address corrections
I. Financial Aid Workshops across the state!
The Financial Aid Workshop will provide an overview of financial aid basics and the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and FAFSA Renewal forms. Discussion will include a review of federal, state, school-based, and private funding sources, and how the student can effectively access the funding they need to complete their college degree. An emphasis will be placed on student responsibility and an understanding of the full financial aid process and timetable. Participants are encouraged to bring their 2003 income details to the workshop. (Good estimates of earned income and non-taxable income totals for 2003 will make FAFSA completion easier.) Participants should be current college students or prospective college students who have attended an earlier Essentials of College Planning Workshop with MEOC. Please call 1-800-281-3703 to register for this workshop. Registering is the only way we know to notify you if the workshop is canceled, rescheduled or moved. This workshop is not offered year-round, so take advantage while you have the chance!
II. Upcoming Financial Aid Workshops - call 1-800-281-3703 to ask questions or to register!
December 13, 2003 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth
January 2, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth
January 6, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: University College at Thomaston
January 7, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Christy Le
Location: Lewiston Career Center
January 7, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Hutchinson Center in Belfast
January 8, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Tina McDonald
Location: Portland Career Center
January 8, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Bath Career Center
January 8, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Counselor: Elizabeth Patterson
Location: Machias - UMM, Kimball Hall
January 9, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth
January 9, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Christy Le
Location: University College at Rumford/Mexico
January 9, 2004 - Financial Aid
9:00am
Counselor: Dena Winslow
Location: UMPI South Hall MEOC Office
January 9, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Augusta Career Center
January 12, 2004 - Financial Aid
9:00am
Counselor: Dena Winslow
Location: Loring Job Corps
January 12, 2004 - Financial Aid
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Counselor: Elizabeth Patterson
Location: Skowhegan Career Center
January 13, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth
January 13, 2004 - Financial Aid
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill
January 13, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: University College at Thomaston
January 13, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Elizabeth Patterson
Location: Bangor TDC
January 14, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Hutchinson Center in Belfast
January 14, 2004 - Financial Aid
9:00am
Counselor: Dena Winslow
Location: Caribou Adult Education
January 15, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Bath Career Center
January 15, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Christy Le
Location: East Wilton Workforce Development Center
January 15, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Tina McDonald
Location: Portland Career Center
January 15, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Counselor: Elizabeth Patterson
Location: Calais Unobskey School
January 20, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: University College at Thomaston
January 21, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Christy Le
Location: Lewiston Career Center
January 21, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Hutchinson Center in Belfast
January 21, 2004 - Financial Aid
9:00am
Counselor: Dena Winslow
Location: University College at the Houlton Center
January 22, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Bath Career Center
January 22, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Tina McDonald
Location: Portland Career Center
January 22, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Counselor: Elizabeth Patterson
Location: Machias - UMM, Kimball Hall
January 23, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth
January 23, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Augusta Career Center
January 26, 2004 - Financial Aid
10:00am - 1:00pm
Counselor: Christy Le
Location: Norway Workforce Development Center
January 26, 2004 - Financial Aid
9:00am
Counselor: Dena Winslow
Location: Loring Job Corps
January 27, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: University College at Thomaston
January 27, 2004
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Elizabeth Patterson
Location: Bangor TDC
January 28, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Hutchinson Center in Belfast
January 29, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Bath Career Center
January 30, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Sally Daniels
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth
January 30, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Augusta Career Center
February 3rd, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: University College at Thomaston
February 4, 2004 - Financial Aid
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Counselor: Christy Le
Location: Lewiston Career Center
February 6, 2004 - Financial Aid
10:00am - 1:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Augusta Career Center
February 6, 2004 - Financial Aid
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Counselor: Joanne Richards
Location: Augusta Career Center
Other times, dates and locations may be available. As with all MEOC workshops, please call to inquire about workshops in your area, confirm dates, times and locations, and register. If you do not register for a workshop that you are planning to attend, we have no way of informing you if the workshop is rescheduled, canceled, or relocated. The list above includes only workshops for those who have already attended the MEOC 101: Essentials of College Planning workshop. However, if you feel like you would benefit from another session of MEOC 101, please call our office to find ah workshop site and time that would be best for you. MEOC 101 is offered numerous times during the month all over the state. Also, all MEOC Advisors/counselors maintain drop-in times at most workshop locations around the state. Please contact your MEOC Advisor/counselor for assistance with your college-related questions and challenges, and for on-going college and career planning assistance.
III. Financial Aid Trivia!
Q: I applied for financial aid last year, do I have to do it again this year?
A: If you are going to attend school in Fall '04, Spring '05, or Summer '05, you need to apply for financial aid by renewing your FAFSA.
Q. Can I renew the FAFSA online?
A. Yes, please call your MEOC Advisor/Counselor for assistance.
Q: How do I find out what scholarships I might be eligible for?
A: For answers to financial aid questions, to learn about different financial aid options, and to search for scholarships you might be eligible for, visit www.finaid.org
Q: Should I pay for scholarship searches or to be considered for a scholarship?
A: No. Many students and parents fall prey to scholarship and financial aid scams every year. There are even legitimate businesses that will charge you to file your FAFSA. Do not pay for these services as they are all available for free elsewhere! You can read more about scholarship and financial aid scams on the Federal Trade Commission's website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index.html
Q: I have some Native American ancestry, where can I learn more about Native American Scholarships and eligibility?
A: The Finaid website has a special section on this topic with many subtopics to answer all your questions. Visit http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/natamind.phtml
IV. Services offered by MEOC
Don't forget to call MEOC at 1-800-281-3703 if you need any of the following FREE services:
*Career Counseling
*College Planning
*Referrals/Advocacy
*College Admissions Assistance
*Financial Aid Counseling
*Default Loan Counseling
V. Staff Listing
Please keep in touch with your advisor/counselor!
* Joanne Richards: joanne.richards@umit.maine.edu - serving Augusta, Rockland, Belfast, Bath, Brunswick, Thomaston, and Waldoboro areas.
* Christy Le: christy.le@umit.maine.edu - serving East Wilton, Norway, Lewiston, Auburn, Oxford, Lisbon Falls, and Rumford.
* Kristin VerBeck: kristin.verbeck@umit.maine.edu - serving Lincoln, Dover-Foxcroft, Old Town, and Millinocket.
* Elizabeth Patterson: elizabeth.patterson@umit.maine.edu - serving Bangor, Brewer, Waterville, Calais, Machias, and Skowhegan.
* Tina McDonald: tina.mcdonald@umit.maine.edu - serving the Portland area, Sanford, Windham, and Saco.
* Dena Winslow: dena.winslow@umit.maine.edu - serving Caribou, Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, and Limestone.
* Sally Daniels: sally.daniels@umit.maine.edu - serving Ellsworth.
* Sarah Paterson: sarah.paterson@umit.maine.edu - serving all clients who have entered into post-secondary education.
Don't be afraid to call on our advisors/counselors if you need some help. You can leave a message for any counselor by calling 1-800-281-3703.
VI. Reminder about address corrections
Be sure to contact MEOC at 1-800-281-3703 if you:
- have moved/have an alternate mailing address
- have a new address due to 911 coding
- have changed your phone number
- have married/changed your name
- are going to be changing your email address and would like this newsletter readdressed!
Remember that we can't be of service to you if we can't find you!
If you have any questions/comments/concerns or suggestions for this newsletter, or if you wish to unsubscribe, send an email to sarah.paterson@umit.maine.edu.
Maine Educational Opportunity Center
5713 Chadbourne Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5713
1-800-281-3703
(F)- (207) 581-2532
http://meoc.maine.edu/
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