December 2024

Tuesday Tips

FAME's Got You Covered!

1. Financial Aid Information Sessions

The FAME outreach team provides live virtual Financial Aid Information Sessions to help students and families get prepared for filing. If you weren't able to attend a previous session you can find recorded sessions here.

2. FAFSA Resources and Tools

Filing the FAFSA is key to affording higher education and we have good news on that front! The 2025-26 FAFSA opened earlier than scheduled and filing has been going smoothly. If FAFSA filing hasn’t made it to your to-do list yet, we have resources to help you get ready. Check out our Get Ready to File the 2025-26 FAFSA checklist to see what is needed to file and learn more about who is required to provide information on the FAFSA. The first step in filing is to create an account at StudentAid.gov (often referred to as an FSA ID), which should be done 1-3 days prior to filing the FAFSA. Use our Student FSA ID Tracking Sheet and Parent FSA ID Tracking Sheet to keep track of account information. 

3. FAFSA Help

There are several ways to get help with the FAFSA. Shortly after the FAFSA is released each year we host virtual FAFSA help sessions to answer common questions and provide personalized help. A list of upcoming sessions can be found here. For those with more complicated situations, consider signing up for a free Financial Aid Coaching session where one-on-one help is provided. You can also email questions to Education@FAMEmaine.com or call us at 1-800-228-3734.

4. Financial Wellness Resources

FAME offers a variety of free financial wellness tools including our Build: Steps to Financial Wellness publication, access to free online content that can help you build financial capacity via the iGrad and Enrich sites, and FAME’s Financial Check-In webinars designed to help you become more financially savvy. Visit our Financial Wellness page for additional tools and resources. 

5. Savings for Higher Education Resources

FAME administers Maine’s Section 529 College Savings Plan. Having savings designated for higher education results in more options and helps families be in a better position when it comes to paying for education after high school. To learn more about various ways to save and find tips to make saving easier, visit NextGenforME.com.

Need help with something else?

Use FAME's Online Help

·      Visit the Filing the FAFSA section of our website to learn how to get ready, what information you'll need to have available to file, tips to make filing easier, and more! 

·      Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

·      Attend a virtual FAFSA Help Session 

Contact a FAME FAFSA Expert

·      Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

·      Phone: 1-800-228-3734; TTY 207-626-2717

·      Email: Education@FAMEmaine.com 

Check out FAME's previous Webinars and Tips

We're Here to Help!

FAME's College Access and Financial Education Team

Connect with Us!

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) does not discriminate in the administration of any of its programs or in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. FAME is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.

FAME provides links to other websites as a convenience and does not endorse or guarantee the content, accuracy, or usability of such sites.