Greetings from the Maine Educational Opportunity Center!!

Please visit us online at http://meoc.maine.edu/

In this issue:

*Services offered by MEOC
*Financial Aid reminder - Now is the time to file your 05-06 FAFSA!
*List of upcoming workshops around the state (make sure to call and register as dates/times/locations are subject to change)
*Study Break - The Advantages of being an Adult Student
*Staff listing
*Reminder about address corrections

I. Services offered by MEOC

Call MEOC at 1-800-281-3703 if you need any of the following FREE services:
*Career Advising
*College Planning
*Referrals/Advocacy
*College Admissions Assistance
*Financial Aid Counseling
*Default Loan Counseling

II. Financial Aid applications, the time is NOW!

January is the time to file your financial aid application (the FAFSA) in order to get the most financial assistance. If you are comfortable filing for your financial aid yourself, you may do so at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible. If you have your US Department of Education PIN, you can also directly access your 2005-2006 Renewal FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have forgotten your PIN or haven't done the FAFSA online before, you may request that it be sent to you via-email from the PIN Site at www.pin.ed.gov.

Please remember to notify your MEOC advisor when you file so that they can help you stay organized and on top of deadlines. The 05-06 FAFSA will be based on your 2004 income details, so be sure to have check stubs, your 04 tax return, or other income information handy. If you have any questions, be sure to call your advisor (contact information for all advisors is at the bottom of this newsletter).

We are also offering MANY free FAFSA filing workshops all over the state. Please see the workshop schedule below to find a time and location that works for you. If none of these workshops fit your schedule, be sure to call one of our advisors to set up a different time to meet for assistance!!

III. Upcoming Workshops - call 1-800-281-3703 to ask questions or to register!

In order of date:

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Penquis Higher Education Center
Date: January 18, 2005
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Advisor: Catie Leon

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center - Ellsworth
Date: January 21, 2005
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Advisor: Sally Daniels

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Machias Career Center
Date: January 21, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Augusta Career Center
Date: January 21, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at Rumford/Mexico
Date: January 21, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Christy Le

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Presque Isle Career Center
Date: January 21, 2005
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Teri Morse

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College Bangor
Date: January 24, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Skowhegan Career Center
Date: January 24, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Diane Lambert

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Rumford Career Center
Date: January 24, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Christy Le

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Penquis Higher Education Center
Date: January 25, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at Thomaston
Date: January 25, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at the Saco Center
Date: January 25, 2005
Time: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Lewiston Career Center
Date: January 26, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Christy Le

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Hutchinson Center - Belfast
Date: January 26, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Caribou Adult Education
Date: January 26, 2005
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Teri Morse

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Katahdin Region Higher Education Center - East Millinocket
Date: January 27, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College Bangor
Date: January 27, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Diane Lambert

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Midcoast Center for Higher Education (UC Bath/Brunswick)
Date: January 27, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Portland Career Center
Date: January 27, 2005
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at the Houlton Center
Date: January 27, 2005
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Teri Morse

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center - Ellsworth
Date: January 28, 2005
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Advisor: Sally Daniels

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Augusta Career Center
Date: January 28, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at Thomaston
Date: February 1, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at the Sanford Center
Date: February 1, 2005
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College Bangor
Date: February 1, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Diane Lambert

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Lewiston Career Center
Date: February 2, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Christy Le

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Hutchinson Center - Belfast
Date: February 2, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: MSAD 29 Adult Ed - Fairfield
Date: February 2, 2005
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Advisor: Diane Lambert

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Midcoast Center for Higher Education (UC Bath/Brunswick)
Date: February 3, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Portland Career Center
Date: February 3, 2005
Time: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Augusta Career Center
Date: February 4, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center - Ellsworth
Date: February 4, 2005
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Advisor: Sally Daniels

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at Thomaston
Date: February 8, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College at the Saco Center
Date: February 8, 2005
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Hutchinson Center - Belfast
Date: February 9, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Katahdin Region Higher Education Center - East Millinocket
Date: February 10, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Midcoast Center for Higher Education (UC Bath/Brunswick)
Date: February 10, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Wilton Career Center
Date: February 10, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Christy Le

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: University College Bangor
Date: February 10, 2005
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Advisor: Diane Lambert

Workshop: Financial Aid
Location: Portland Career Center
Date: February 10, 2005
Time: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Other times, dates and locations may be available. As with all MEOC workshops, please call 1-800-281-3703 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 a workshop site and time that would be best for you. Also, all MEOC Advisors maintain drop-in times at most workshop locations around the state. Please contact your MEOC Advisor for assistance with your college-related questions and challenges, and for on-going college and career planning assistance.

IV. Study Break - Three Advantages to being an Adult Student

1. Life experience - Your experience in the "real" world will give you perspective that the younger students may lack. You will be able to take the theory that you learn about in classes and apply it to your past experiences. Your ability to offer commentary on recent history, for example, will make class discussion more interesting - so speak up!
2. Organizational skills - You've been keeping house, balancing the checkbook, organizing doctor's appointments, kids schedules, and work for a while now. For many students, attempting to balance classes and a social calendar (and perhaps work) will be a daunting task because they haven't had to be responsible for their own schedule before. However, this will just be another item to add to the daily agenda and your experience with scheduling will definitely come in handy. You'll also be better able to prioritize tasks as you know just how important this experience is for you. Just make sure to schedule in a break every now and then!
3. Communication skills - Most of you have worked in jobs that require that you have good communication skills and the confidence to use them. Many young college students find college professors intimidating and are afraid to ask the questions necessary to get a good grade. However, from your working life, you know that you must ask questions of your supervisor to get the job done right the first time!

V. Staff Listing

Please keep in touch with your advisor!

Welcome Teri! Teri Morse is the new MEOC advisor for Aroostook County. If you live in Aroostook county and require any of our services, be sure to give Teri a call!

* 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 areas.

* Catie Leon: catie.leon@umit.maine.edu - serving Lincoln, Dover-Foxcroft, Old Town, and Millinocket areas, and Washington County.

* Diane Lambert: diane.lambert@umit.maine.edu - serving Bangor, Brewer, Waterville, and Skowhegan areas.

* Tina McDonald: tina.mcdonald@umit.maine.edu - serving the Portland area, Sanford, Windham, and Saco.

* Sally Daniels: sally.daniels@umit.maine.edu - serving Ellsworth

* Teri Morse: teri.morse@umit.maine.edu - serving Aroostook County.

* Sarah Paterson: sarah.paterson@umit.maine.edu - serving all clients who have entered into college.

Don't see your area listed? MEOC provides services statewide, just call to find out who services your town! Don't be afraid to call on our advisors if you need some help. You can leave a message for any advisor by calling 1-800-281-3703.VI. Reminder about address corrections

Be sure to contact MEOC at 1-800-281-3703 or via email 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/