Students planning to attend one of the many Maine colleges have a number of opportunities for financial assistance. From individual college scholarships to privately-funded awards, there is a large variety if you know where to look. Most universities automatically check the eligibility of certain scholarships for new students. Others, like the ones listed below, have a separate application process.
The last thing you want to worry about throughout your college experience is how you will fund your education or repay student loans. One excellent opportunity offered by the state of Maine is the Educators of Maine Loan Forgiveness. This is available to many teachers, therapists, and child care specialists. For each year of service within the state of Maine, recipients are eligible to have one year of student loan debt erased.
There are also tax credit opportunities in the state. Maine education services strive to help as many students as possible further their education and, when possible, continue working in the state. We hope you find the list of scholarships below useful in your search.
1. Lemieux-Lovejoy Youth Scholarship
Awarded to female high school seniors or recent graduates, this $1200 scholarship requires enrollment for a minimum of one year. Applicants must show financial need, have two letters of recommendation, and provide a statement describing educational, personal, and career goals. Payment is made directly to the school.
2. Avangrid Scholarship
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3. Hagge Family Scholarship
Applicants majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) in the College of Science, Technology, and Health at the University of Southern Maine are eligible. Incoming or current students must plan to attend full-time and have a GPA of 3.0. They must also demonstrate academic promise and have a B average in science and math. Amounts for this award varies.
4. Maine Island Scholarship
This scholarship is available to residents of Maine’s 15 unbridged island communities. Applicants attending a 2 or 4-year college can receive $250-$5000 annually. Applicants from the following islands must have been a resident for at least three years prior to graduating high school: Chebeague, Cliff, Great Cranberry, Great Diamond, Frenchboro, Isle Au Haut, Islesford, Long, Matinicus, Monhegan, Peaks, Swan’s, Islesboro, North Haven, and Vinalhaven. Academics and financial need are also considered.
5. Louis W. Cabot Academic and Community Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to one high school senior who is a year-round resident of one of Maine’s unbridged islands. The applicant must exemplify both academic excellence and leadership. The award is for $2500 the first year and is able to be renewed for three more years depending on academics. The recipient must be known by teachers, peers, and the community as a leader in service to others. An essay is also required in the application.
6. Parkman Shaw Scholarship
This award is available to entering juniors or seniors in college who are also year-round island residents. The $10,000 scholarship will offer a junior $5000 with the option for renewal based on academic success and achievement. Considerations of recipients will include academic excellence, personal achievement, and the ability to overcome unique or difficult challenges. An essay is also required with the application.
7. Maine Island Sweet Scholarship
Year-round island residents who are graduating high school are eligible for this award. The applicant must show a combination of academic excellence and leadership. $2500 is awarded the first year and is renewable for three more years depending on academic success.
8. Seth Jordan Memorial Fund Scholarship
The last year-round island resident scholarship on the list is the Seth Jordan Memorial. This generous award goes to the top-ranked graduating high school senior in Casco Bay. The amount is a one-time award of $2500. The Island Institute has many scholarships available along with an internship.
9. USM President’s Scholar
Applicants planning to attend the University of Southern Maine full-time are eligible. $4000-$12000 is paid annually to deserving recipients. Along with the application, the following must be submitted: SAT or ACT scores, high school transcript, an essay, and one letter of recommendation. Applicants must also demonstrate strong leadership skills. If received, a 2.75 GPA must be maintained.
10. USM Dirigo Scholar
Much like the above, applicants must plan to attend the University of Southern Maine full time. $2500-$10,000 is paid annually to deserving recipients. Applying requires submitting ACT or SAT scores, high school transcript, an essay, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants must also demonstrate strong leadership skills. Recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA.
11. USM Scholar
The last of the highest available scholarships at the University of Southern Maine, this award, is for $1750-$8000 paid annually. Applying requires submitting ACT or SAT scores, high school transcript, an essay, and a letter of recommendation. Applicants must also demonstrate strong leadership skills. Recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA.
12. Jack Eagleson Scholarship
The University of Southern Maine applicants with academic excellence and a background or interest in environmental safety and health are eligible. Applicants must be enrolled in the College of Science, Technology, and Health and attend full time. The $2000 award is renewable for an additional three years and is based on financial need.
13. USM Alumni Association Scholarship
This award is open to the University of Southern Maine or one of USM’s predecessor’s institutions (Gorham Normal School, Portland Junior College, Gorham State Teachers College, Gorham State College, University of Maine at Portland, and University of Maine at Portland-Gorham) Alumni’s sons, grandsons, daughters, granddaughters, or spouses.
14. University of Maine Merit Scholarship Program
The University of Maine Scholarship Program is divided into sections with the first being the Maine National Merit Award going to a recipient who is a semi-finalist with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 100% of tuition and fees are paid with this award.
Applicants for the UMaine Presidential Scholarship must be academically at the very top of their class (rank, class size, GPA, and test scores are considered). Or, they must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and SAT critical reading plus math score of 1400 or an ACT composite score of 31. This award pays $8000 annually.
Applicants of the UMaine Flagship Scholarship must have a 3.0 GPA and a SAT critical reading plus math score of 1280 or an ACT composite score of 29. This award pays $6000 annually.
The UMaine Dean’s Scholarship requires a 3.0 GPA and an SAT critical reading plus math score of 1200 or an ACT composite score of 26. It pays $4000 annually.
Last, the UMaine Black Bear Scholarship requires a 3.0 GPA and an SAT critical reading plus math score of 1100 or an ACT composite score of 24. It pays $2000 annually.
15. University of Maine Art Scholarship
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16. University of Maine Music Performance Scholarship
University of Maine applicants demonstrating talent in music are eligible. This $3000 award is renewable each year for three more years as long as the renewal criteria is met. Applicants must be nominated by a music teacher or director or be observed by a Music Department, faculty member. Recipients must agree to participate each semester in an ensemble approved by the Chair of the Division of Music. Note that auditions are not required for the scholarship but are required to enroll in a music major.
17. University of Maine Theater Arts Scholarship
University of Maine applicants demonstrating talent in theater arts are eligible. This $3000 award is renewable each year for three more years as long as the renewal criteria is met. Applicants should email UMtheatrescholarship@maine.edu to express interest in the scholarship. Applicants may be nominated by a drama instructor or audition in person or via digital recording. Contact Kerry Davis, kerryd@maine.edu for auditions instructions. Recipients must enroll as a theater major or as part of a double major. Recipients must also audition for all theater productions produced by the department.
18. University of Maine Dance Performance Scholarship
University of Maine applicants demonstrating talent in dance are eligible. This $3000 award is renewable each year for three more years as long as the renewal criteria is met.Applicants should contact Kerry Davis, kerryd@maine.edu for audition instructions. Recipients must enroll as a dance minor and participate in at least one main stage dance concert each year and at least one dance ensemble.
19. Richard H. Pierce Memorial Scholarship
Applicants must attend a two or four-year university and show a strong desire to complete the program. Considerations for a recipient include academic excellence, financial need, and a 300-word essay. The essay must describe a personal challenge regarding something the applicant believed in and persevered. It should also explain how the scholarship would help achieve their educational goals.
20. Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. Foundation Scholarship
Applicants under age 25 are eligible to apply. Amounts are at least $1000, and many have been $2000 in recent years. Applicants must be a full-time student at a 4-year non-profit university and have completed the first year. The applicant or one of the applicant’s parents must have resided in Maine for at least four years. Requirements also include a transcript, a minimum 750-word essay answering one of two available questions on the current year’s application form, and include a resume describing academic work, leadership, achievements, or work/volunteer experience.
21. Maine State Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
This $1500 award recognizes two Maine high school students planning to attend a 2 or 4-year college. One award goes to a high school senior pursuing an associate’s degree in a technical program. The other award goes to a high school senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a university. Preference is given to applicants seeking a business or education degree.
22. Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship
Members of the Maine Legislature conduct fundraisers to provide scholarships to one student from each county in Maine. Applicants must plan to attend a 2 or 4-year degree-granting technical school or college in Maine that is accredited by the New England Associate of Schools and Colleges. They may attend full or part-time.
Considerations include academic excellence, contribution to the community, financial need, and letters of recommendation from someone familiar with the applicant’s academic performance/extracurricular activities and someone with first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s community service. An essay of 300 words or less explaining educational goals is also required.
23. The Mitchell Scholarship
This generous scholarship of $8500, paid in four equal installments, also includes a network of more than 2400 Mitchell Scholars, alumni, and partners. They offer support throughout the recipient’s college education and beyond. Considerations include academic excellence, strong leadership qualities, letters of recommendation, and financial need.
24. Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship
Applicants for this scholarship must submit letters of recommendation showing good character and demonstrating past behavior of belief in the American way of life. Consideration is based on financial need, and applicants must have a parent or a grandparent that is a veteran.
25. James V. Day Scholarship
Maine Legionnaire, living or deceased, descendants are eligible for this $500 award. The applicant must show good character and past behavior that shows belief in the American way of life. They must also file an application with the Maine Past Commanders Club, provide a letter of endorsement from high school, provide three letters of recommendation from people who have personally observed the applicant and can give opinions on character, industry, purposefulness, and general worthiness of the award. A narration of 300 words or less should also be provided. Consideration is also based on financial need.
26. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Maine Section
The ASCE (Maine Section) provides a $2000 award to a recipient planning to study civil engineering. Applicants must submit their academic performance and a list of extracurricular activities. A statement of interest in civil engineering is also required.
27. AGC of Maine Education Foundation
Applicants must be entering or enrolled in an undergraduate, construction-related field of study. They must also meet reasonable academic standards, demonstrate financial need, include a recent transcript, and complete a 150-word essay on why they are considering a career in construction.
28. Albert “Pete” Gagne Memorial Scholarship
Applicants must be a graduating senior of Messalonskee or Cony High School, the child of a Gagne & Son Concrete Blocks employee, or the child of a member of Le Club Calumet.Considerations include academics and financial need. The amount varies, however, recent awards were in the amount of $1300.
29. Clyde Russell Scholarship Fund
This generous award of $10,000 is paid in two parts. One-half will be paid upon presenting the award, and the other half is given upon receipt of evidence showing successful completion of the first semester. Applicants must plan to attend a 4-year college. Requirements include a letter of intent explaining applicant’s goals and objectives.
The application is also required are letters of recommendation from the following: a person with knowledge of the applicant’s academic ability and achievements, a person with knowledge of the applicant’s community activities, a person with knowledge of the applicant’s extracurricular activities, and a person with knowledge in regards to the applicant’s personal traits and qualities. A high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores are also required.
30. GCFM Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to juniors and seniors who are not related to a GCFM Board Member. Applicants must major in one of the following fields of study: Horticulture, Floriculture, Landscape Design, Conservation, Forestry, Botany, Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Environmental Concerns, Ecology, Land Management or other garden fields. Applicants should submit a transcript, references, financial aid form, a personal letter, three letters of recommendation, and a list of extracurricular activities.
Applicants are judged on aptitude in the field of horticulture, academics, avocational interests and vocational potential, character, and financial need.
31. Mainely Character Scholarship
While most scholarships depend on academics, athletic ability, or talent; the Mainely Character Scholarship rewards Maine students who have demonstrated a continuing commitment to character and self-development. The core principles are:
- Courage-taking risks and following your conscious with fearlessness.
- Integrity-being truthful and trustworthy to oneself and others.
- Responsibility-conveying an attitude of commitment and conviction.
- Concern-demonstrating compassion and a caring attitude toward others and helping them achieve their best.
32. State Golf Association (MSGA) Scholarship Fund
Applicants must show an active interest in golf including participating as a player, as a caddie, and/or employed by a golf course pro shop or maintenance crew. They must also be outstanding in character, integrity, and leadership as shown in participation in extracurricular activities and/or community service. The award is also based on financial need.
33. Maine Innkeepers Association Scholarship
This award is open to any Maine student (any age) pursuing a career in the lodging or food service field. Family members or employees of Lodging or Allied members pursuing a non-hospitality career are also eligible. Preference will be given to applicants who are employees or family members of active or allied member properties. The scholarship is issued jointly to the student and the college. Considerations include scholastic record, financial need, extracurricular activities, and a desire for a career in the hotel or food service industry.
34. The Russ Casey/Maine Restaurant Associates Scholarship Fund
Applicants planning to study culinary arts, restaurant, hotel, or hospitality management are eligible. Preference is given to those pursuing a career in food service. Three $1000 scholarships are awarded annually. Applicants may reapply each year they are in school. Considerations for Recipients include a review of the application, academic achievement, work experience, career interests, financial need, and relationship to the Maine Restaurant Association through family or employer.
35. OMNE/Nursing Leaders of Maine Scholarship
The nursing leaders of Maine provide a scholarship in the amount of $500 to one student attending a Maine nursing program. It is provided to nursing students obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher. A committee ranks and reviews applications based on academics and letters of recommendation.
We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.