The Maine Educational Opportunity Center will offer a series of free college-planning workshops throughout December in various locations around the state.

The workshops are geared toward adults returning to college, helping them overcome financial, social and academic barriers to higher education. The times and places are as follows:

. 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the Penquis Higher Education Center in Dover-Foxcroft on 50 Mayo St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the University College at Thomaston on 60 Main St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast on 80 Belmont Ave.

. 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Belfast Adult Ed on 6B Lion’s Way.

. 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Lincoln Penquis CAP on 119 Main St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Dec. 16, at the University College at Houlton Center on 18 Military St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Katahdin Regional Higher Education Center in East Millinocket on 1 Industrial Drive.

. 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Dec. 17, at the Presque Isle CareerCenter on 66 Spruce St.

. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Machias CareerCenter on 15 Prescott Drive.

. 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the Hancock County Higher Education Center in Ellsworth on 248 State St.

. 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the University College at Thomaston.

. 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Dec. 22, at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast.

Registration is free. Call 800-281-3703.