AUGUSTA — Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Kennebec, has announced that help is available for Maine students and families seeking financial aid for higher education.

“If your child is planning to attend college, trade, or technical school in the fall, January is when families should get serious about financial aid applications. For most families, financial aid has a significant impact on the college the student ultimately attends,” said Cyrway in a news release.

To help parents navigate the financial aid process, the Finance Authority of Maine will hold 29 In-Person Free Application for Federal Student Aid Help Sessions around the state and has ongoing support online at FAMEmaine.com/FAFSA. This is the 11th year FAME has made these In-Person FAFSA Help Sessions available to Mainers. Over the years FAME has assisted more than 6,000 families through these events, according to the release.

Among the local events is one at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield. The session is scheduled for Feb. 3 at 4 p.m.

“Significant financial aid does exist, so everyone considering college should fill out the FAFSA and any other required financial aid applications as soon as possible. The earlier students apply, the more aid they may be eligible to receive,” said Mila Tappan, College Access and Outreach Manager at FAME.

For more information about FAFSA or to pre-register for the local in-person help sessions, visit FAMEmaine.com/FAFSA.