RUMFORD – Maine Educational Opportunity Center Adviser Christy Le will present an “Essentials of College Planning” workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at the South Paris Career Center, 232 Main St., and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Rumford Career Center, 60 Lowell St.

Adults considering college are invited to participate in the free college-planning workshops sponsored by the Maine Educational Opportunity Center.

Unlike student financial aid programs, which help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, the center has been providing support services to help students from low income and working families successfully enter college since 1991.

“This program works because it is student-centered, performance-based and nonbureaucratic,” said Dr. Arnold Mitchem, Council for Opportunity in Education president.

The center helps adult students to overcome class, social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education. Services include assistance in choosing a college, tutoring, personal and financial counseling, career counseling, assistance in applying to college, workplace and college visits and assistance in applying for financial aid.

All services are free. Call 1-800-281-3703 to register.