By Michelle Gayne

SAD 61/72 Adult Ed Director

The start of a new year is a great time for setting intentions. Here at Lake Region & Fryeburg Area Adult Education, we can help you do just that! Whether you would like to finish your high school credential, take your first college course (or return to what you started), think about a new career path, or take a class just for fun — we have got you covered. At Adult Ed, anything is possible!

In February, we will offer free, live, Zoom classes focused on digital literacy!

Join us Monday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. for an overview course highlighting all the digital literacy classes our program can offer to anyone, for FREE, in the community. This overview goes over the three curricula — Aging Well With Technology, For Home & Family, and For Work & Business— and is designed for individuals looking to improve their personal computer skills as well as for partner organizations who want to more fully understand what we offer for classes. This, and many other digital literacy classes, are offered for free through our partnership with the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC).

Come back in a couple weeks on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. to learn all about applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program, if you have not already done so. The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that was put in place to help low-income families pay for the cost of connecting to broadband Internet access. In this class, we will look at qualifying for and applying for the benefit, and what you can expect from Internet Service Providers.

In March, we will be offering two FREE classes focused on how to pay for college, as well as a free course on getting ready for college!

If you are interested in receiving financial aid to help you pay for college, filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step. In our session called, Completing the FAFSA, we will do an overview of the process so you know what to expect and can get answers to frequently asked questions. Then, you are free to complete it on your own, or stay for the remainder and receive real-time free help to file the FAFSA. This session will be facilitated by Maria McDougal, College Access Counselor, with the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). It will be held on Tuesday, March 7, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Paying for education after high school might feel daunting, but it does not have to be! In our Paying for College session, we will discuss the different types of financial aid, how to maximize free money, and the piecemeal approach to paying for college. Come with your burning paying for college questions. This session will also be facilitated by Maria McDougal, College Access Counselor with the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). It will be held on Wednesday, March 1, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Our free College Success Class, taught by Nancy Wilson, will focus on the essential skills of a successful college student. Highlighted topics include study skills, time management, decision-making strategies, financial literacy, career pathways exploration, and building the writing skills necessary for academic readiness. This class fulfills a required college graduation credit at both SMCC and CMCC. This class runs March 1 through April 12, and is offered both in Naples and online.

All classes mentioned in this article will be taught at our adult education program located on the Lake Region High School campus, 1881 Roosevelt Trail, Naples, ME 04055. We are located in the White House building (WH4), behind the high school. Call or e-mail us at 207-627-4291, adulted@lakeregionschools.org, or visit our website to register!