I'm currently a junior exploring my college options and I'm interested in schools in Maine. Does anyone know of specific scholarship opportunities for students planning to attend college in Maine? I'm trying to gather as much financial aid info as I can ahead of time. I read that some states have unique scholarships or grants for residents or students applying to their schools, so I'm hoping to find something like that for Maine. Any advice on where to start looking or organizations to contact?
From my knowledge, you're on the right track in looking for location-specific scholarships. One good place to begin is the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). They administer several Maine-based scholarships including the NextGen Grant and Match program and the Maine State Grant Program.
The NextGen Grant and Match program matches your contributions to a NextGen college investing plan. The Maine State Grant Program can award you a grant if you're a Maine resident attending a school in Maine.
Another scholarship to look into is the Mitchell Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior from every public high school in Maine.
Do check if the colleges you're interested in offer any scholarships. For example, the University of Maine offers several scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students.
I'd recommend reaching out to your high school guidance office as they might know of more local scholarships and grants that you can apply for. You should also consider using mainstream scholarship portals, just make sure to filter by your specific needs and circumstances. Remember that scholarship research and application can be a time-consuming process, so plan accordingly and prioritize your options based on award amounts, the competitiveness of the scholarship, and the deadline.
Good luck!
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