| Education Update
August 25, 2010 |
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Upcoming Events | |
August 27, 2010
FAME All Staff Meeting
FAME Closed
September 6, 2010
FAME closed
Labor Day
September 16, 2010
FAME Board of Directors Meeting
September 20, 2010
"September is College Savings Month" Press Event, University of Southern Maine
September 21, 2010
Advisory Committee on College Savings Meeting
September 24, 2010
Higher Education Advisory Council Meeting |
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| Maine College Access Challenge Grant Program | |
FAME is pleased to announce the availability of grant funds for the Maine College Access Challenge Grant (MCACG) Program. MCACG is part of a federal program designed to significantly increase the number of underrepresented students who enter and remain in postsecondary education. Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible non-profit organizations. Proposals should support the overarching goal of increasing the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, with a focus on preparation, aspiration and success. The application deadline is September 24, 2010. Eligibility and application information is available on the FAME Web site. Questions about MCACG or the application process should be directed to adostie@famemaine.com. |
| Availability of EPIC | |
Institutions will be able to certify and request payments for all FAME Programs available on the EPIC web site portal on August 30, 2010. The FAME Programs include the State of Maine Grant Program, Educators for Maine, GEAR UP and the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. Institutions that participate in the Tuition Waiver Program may also certify students attending their institutions.
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| Harold Alfond College Challenge Casting Calls | |
The Harold Alfond College Challenge is holding two casting calls this fall:
- September 30, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle
- October 16, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel Ballroom across from the Maine Mall in South Portland
Every eligible Maine baby under one year of age will be able to get a free professional photo and a chance to be in Alfond Grant advertising. FAME staff will be present to help people complete a NextGen application and receive the $500 Alfond Grant. More information is available at: www.500forbaby.org. |
| Legislative Update | |
Governor Baldacci recently announced several nominations for various positions, including the FAME Board of Directors. Nominated were Anthony Armstrong of Cape Elizabeth; Brent Cross of Bangor; Glenn Lamarr of Fort Kent; Patrick Murphy of Portland; and Cheri Walker of Falmouth. All but Armstrong are reappointments. The four-year terms require hearings by the Legislature's Business, Research, and Economic Development Committee, which will occur on August 24th. The Maine Senate will vote on the committee's recommendations at its August 25th confirmation session.
The Governor's nomination of Angela Faherty to become Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education received a public hearing by the Legislature's Education Committee on August 11. Her nomination received a favorable recommendation by the committee and will likewise be subject to a Senate confirmation vote on August 25th.
The U.S. Congress recently approved $116 million in federal aid to the states, which will help reduce Maine's projected budget shortfall. The federal aid will provide approximately $77 million in additional Medicaid funds and an estimated $39 million in aid to Maine schools. The state still faces a gap of $23 million for the current fiscal year, however.
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| John R. Justice Grant Program | |
FAME has been designated by Governor Baldacci as the state agency responsible for administering the John R. Justice Grant Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance. The new loan repayment program is designed to encourage qualified attorneys to choose careers as prosecutors and public defenders or to continue in such service for three years. If FAME's application is approved by the Department of Justice, applicants will apply directly to FAME for grant awards up to $5,000 per year (up to a lifetime aggregate of $60,000). Completed applications and required attachments must be submitted to FAME by 5 p.m. on September 15, 2010. Decisions regarding eligibility will be based on the John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act (the Act), as well as the BJA program guidelines. When FAME receives notification from the Department of Justice regarding its application (expected sometime in September), more information on the program will be posted on its Web site.
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Finance Authority of Maine
1-800-228-3734 |
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