The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) recently notified twenty-two Maine schools and non-profit education organizations that they have been chosen to receive sub-grants totaling $889,277 through the Maine College Access Challenge Grant (MCACG) administered by FAME.

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis to eligible Maine schools and non-profit organizations.  Successful proposals support the overall goal of increasing the number of Maine students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, with a focus on preparation, aspiration and success.  All recipients and their project descriptions are listed online at FAME's Web site: www.famemaine.com.

Grant recipients include Ashland District High School, which will provide individualized Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion assistance; PSAT, ASVAB, Accuplacer, and SAT test-taking for all seniors; job shadowing; and follow-up programming to ensure that graduates have enrolled and are attending post-secondary institutions.  Another grant recipient is Waldo County Technical Center, which will offer weekly financial literacy lessons and workshop series through their current academic readiness program; "FAFSA feasts" to provide group support and knowledgeable guidance with financial aid completion; and a summer send-off session to provide support for seniors and their families.  Wiscasset Adult and Community Education, another sub-grantee, will provide students with a Personal Higher Ed Navigator to assist with transcripts, prior learning assessment, career decision making, applications, FAFSA, admissions, orientation, peer networking, and ongoing support.

In August, FAME was notified by the U.S. Department of Education that Maine had been awarded a $1.5 million College Access Challenge Grant for Fiscal Year 2013.  Available monies are to be used by states on efforts to increase college access and success among underserved student populations.  FAME will provide a one-third required match, which equals $750,000 per year.  For the 2012-2013 academic year, the funds will be divided between college access services and sub-grants to various partner organizations across the state.

"FAME is pleased to announce these sub-grants for the MCACG Program," stated Beth Bordowitz, Chief Executive Officer of FAME.  "These much-needed funds will help FAME and its partners throughout Maine strengthen our college access and financial education efforts to help Maine students and families achieve their postsecondary education goals."

To accomplish its purposes, MCACG focuses on three key components:  (1) college access and completion services and programs; (2) competitive grants to organizations providing college access and/or completion services or programs; and (3) scholarships for low-income students to enroll in early college courses.

The FAME college access and financial education team includes professionals who not only work with high schools,  middle schools and elementary schools, but also coordinate with colleges, adult education centers, and college access programs to reach students and parents.  The free services provided are available to all Maine citizens, regardless of income.

 
On September 6, 2012, the Maine Senate held a confirmation session to confirm a number of gubernatorial nominations.  During that week and the week prior, various committees held confirmation hearings on seventy-two nominees of Governor LePage.  This included the confirmation of two cabinet-level commissioners, Jeanne Paquette as Commissioner of the Department of Labor, and Colonel James Campbell as Adjutant General and Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.  Other confirmations included:  Robert Martin as Director of the Maine Technology Institute; John Gallagher as the Director of the Maine State Housing Authority; and Christopher Pierce to the Finance Authority of Maine Board of Directors.

FAME's Board of Directors recently toured several Androscoggin County businesses prior to its monthly meeting, which was held at Bates College.  The Board also met with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, area legislators, and community leaders to learn about area economic and higher education needs.  The FAME Board and staff visited a variety of businesses, including:  Tex Tech Industries, Inc. in North Monmouth; Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner; and the Bates Mill complex; Quoddy, Inc. and WahlcoMetroflex, Inc., all in Lewiston.  The Board also held its monthly meeting at Lewiston's Bates College, in Lewiston, where it received informational briefings from President A. Clayton Spencer and Mr. Hussein Ahmed, a representative of the Somali community.