PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) – Aroostook County high schoolers and Job Corps students were gathered together to attend a Financial Fitness Fair hosted by Maine’s County Federal Credit Union. NewsSource 8 reporter Janelle Lopez explains.

Maine’s County Federal Credit Union hosted a Financial Fitness Fair in the Loring Job Corps Ballroom bringing together Aroostook County high schoolers and Job Corps students to introduce them to budgeting, scholarships and access to resources for college financial aid.

“Essentially what a Financial Fitness Fair is, it’s a simulation of one’s future monthly budget. Today students are going to come to Loring here in Limestone. They’re going to choose a career they’re interested in pursuing in real life after today’s scenario and we’re gonna send them a monthly income. With that income they’re going to be faced with paying for all kinds of expenses that the average adult has to pay for each month all in that limited income. It’s a really hands on, insightful and really even fun monthly budget simulation.” says Jake Holmes, Director of Outreach and Financial Education.

A portion of the fair gives high schoolers the opportunity to meet and speak with college and trade admissions counselors as well as be educated on resources available to them to help with financial cost.

“We provide an opportunity for all of these high school students to introduce themselves to the admissions staff of these universities and community colleges at this event. This might be their first chance to say hello to a college recruiter.” says Dan Bagley.

“Finance Authority of Maine is there to help students as they figure out how to pay for college. My job is to talk to these students about all the opportunities that are available right now and there are so many opportunities to help pay for college that I don’t think everyone knows about. I want to make sure they know that we’re here to help. They can go to our website. We have a ton of resources and we can make this easy.” says Nikki Vachon.

Participants of the fair shared what their expectations were going into the event.

“I’d like to learn about finances and you know how to be smart with my money. I’m looking to be an optometrist, that’ll be 8 years of college so being smart with finances, scholarships, stuff like that is huge, so learning about that will be awesome.” says Senior, Blake King.

“We haven’t learned much about the financial aid and things like that, I want to just kinda see the opportunities that are available for us to have. I want to be able to go to college and be able to focus on my studies and not have to worry about the money part in finding a job and working while doing my studies, I want to be the best I can during college.” says Chloe Lento.

The Maine County Federal Credit Union hosts about 30 Financial Fitness Fair events a year with Aroostook County’s chapter being the largest fair in the state.

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