How to win Maine scholarships
Maine is known as “Vacationland” because every day spent there is like a vacation! From the green pine trees to the blue Atlantic Ocean, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Maine.
In order to win Maine scholarships, you will need to respond to specific scholarship essays about your passions and goals. While responding to these essay prompts, you should be connecting back to Maine as a state and how it has helped you to realize and reach your goals.
For example, perhaps you enjoy fishing at the local lake which inspired you to study wildlife conservation in college. Or perhaps you love to go hiking in Acadia National Park which has led you to think about becoming a park ranger.
Whatever your passion is, be sure to connect it back to Maine! Doing so, will reveal how much Maine means to you and demonstrate that you are a great candidate for a Maine scholarship.
Writing resources for writing Maine scholarship essays
Many Maine scholarships may require you to write an essay about yourself which can range anywhere from a 250 word essay to a 500 word essay. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 guide to finding and winning scholarships. Additionally, check out how to start and how to end a scholarship essay to ensure your scholarship essay will be perfect from beginning to end!
Maine student debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, in total, Maine residents owe $6.2 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $33,137 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 55.5% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for! Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships at Maine universities!
Merit scholarships at Maine colleges and universities
University of Maine
- Eligibility: First year UMaine applicants who demonstrate high academic performance
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Admission to the University of Maine
University of Maine at Augusta
- Eligibility: First year students who have completed the FAFSA and have a strong academic application
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Admission to the University of Maine at Augusta
University of Southern Maine
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who have high academic achievement and demonstrate leadership skills
- Amount: $1,000 up to $11,000
- Deadline: Admission to the University of Southern Maine
Husson University
- Eligibility: Undergraduate freshmen who have a strong admission record
- Amount: $500 up to $6,500
- Deadline: January 1
College of the Atlantic
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen based on academic achievement and citizenship qualities
- Amount: Up to $15,000
- Deadline: Admission to the College of the Atlantic
Maine Maritime Academy
- Eligibility: First year students who have competitive testing scores
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Admission to the Maine Maritime Academy
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known Maine universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
- In-state tuition: $12,000
- Out-of-state tuition: $34,740
- In-state tuition: $8,910
- Out-of-state tuition: $26,250
How do you get in-state tuition?
Having Maine residency status can greatly reduce the cost of tuition. In order to gain Maine residency for tuition purposes, you will need to live in Maine for one year prior to enrolling to a campus for purposes other than education. Additionally, you will need to establish a domicile which could include obtaining a Maine driver’s license, employment in Maine, or registering your vehicle in Maine. Maine institutions may have slightly different requirements for establishing residency. Therefore, make sure you are reaching out to your intended Maine institution to ensure you are meeting all necessary requirements to obtain in-state tuition status.
Does Maine offer tuition reciprocity?
Yes, Maine has a tuition reciprocity agreement between Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Through this agreement, eligible students are charged a tuition rate that is significantly less than the regular out-of-state tuition rate. Be sure to double check if you are eligible to participate in this agreement and which institutions are available for you to study at.
Maine scholarship spotlight
Clyde Russell Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Maine residents attending either a 4 year college or a Maine community college
- Amount: $10,000 for a 4-year college and $2,000 for a Maine community college
- Deadline: February 1
Maine Island Scholarships
- Eligibility: Residents of Maine’s fifteen year-round unbridged island communities who are currently enrolled in or have graduated from the highest grade level available at their island school. (Chebeague, Cliff, Great Diamond, Long, Peaks, Frenchboro, Great Cranberry, Islesford, Swan’s, Isle au Haut, Islesboro, Matinicus, Monhegan, North Haven, Vinalhaven.)
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: End of February
A Leigh Phillips Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating high school senior with an identified disability with special consideration given to applicants with exceptional achievement in extra-curriculars, core-curriculars, volunteerism, academics, and/or leadership.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Early March
Mainely Character
- Eligibility: Maine resident graduating from a Maine high school who demonstrates concern. Responsibility, integrity and courage
- Amount: $2,500 up to $5,000
- Deadline: March 1
PROSPER Scholarship
- Eligibility: For immigrant/asylum-seeking students who live in the state of Maine with a 2.5+ GPA
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: March 1
Barowsky Scholars
- Eligibility: Students residing in the state of Maine who are planning to complete an economics course plus either an accounting, finance, history or psychology course
- Amount: $5,000 up to $25,000
- Deadline: March 15
The Richard H. Pierce Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Maine resident entering their first year of post-secondary education who demonstrates academic excellence and contributions to school, community and/or work environment.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: April 1
Jeanne L. Hammond Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Women who are residents of Maine and are pursuing an undergraduate degree or certification on at least a half time basis.
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: Mid-April
Lemieux-Lovejoy Youth Scholarship
- Eligibility: Women who are residents of Maine who will enroll as a first-year in an accredited college or post-secondary education who demonstrate financial need
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: Mid-April
Adult Learner Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Scholarship for nontraditional students in Maine
- Amount: Short term: $1,500; Long term: $1,500 up to $5,000
- Short term deadline: Rolling
- Long term deadline: June 15 and November 15
Additional Maine resources
Maine Community Foundation scholarships
The Maine Community Foundation offers several additional scholarships that can be applied for online with an account.
Maine Department of Education
The Maine Department of Education has an abundance of resources for higher education pursuit in Maine. Make sure to bookmark this website to help you during your college search!
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) scholarship database
Finance Authority of Maine has an extensive list of Maine scholarships that can be searched with filters. Be sure to apply to any scholarships that you fit the eligibility criteria for!
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Maine students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions about Maine scholarships
What GPA do I need in order to win Maine scholarships?
What type of scholarships does Maine offer?
Do I need to be a Maine resident to receive Maine scholarships?
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