Maine State Society Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Maine State Society of Washington, DC

Introduction

The Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. Foundation was formed in 1989 with a Board of Directors drawn from twelve members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. In 1990 the Foundation launched a scholarship program to honor and assist Maine students enrolled at Maine colleges and universities.

Over a 30-year period the Foundation has distributed more than $242,000 in scholarships to upwards of 200 students. Individual awards have ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 and were given to full-time undergraduates who had completed at least one year at a four-year, nonprofit college or university located in Maine. These scholarships were made possible by donations from members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. and other friends and supporters of the State of Maine.

In 2020 the Board chose a new administrative approach to preserve the program’s mission and legacy. The scholarship activities continue under a new committee within the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., and an endowed fund established at the University of Maine Foundation will reduce administrative burdens. This change allows volunteers to concentrate on running the scholarship program; the program’s purpose — supporting students at Maine institutions — remains unchanged.

Eligibility

To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Residency/Family Connection: The applicant must have been born in Maine or have been a legal resident of Maine for at least four years; alternatively, at least one parent must have been born in Maine or been a legal resident of Maine for at least four years.

2. Age Limit: The applicant must be under 25 years of age as of June 30 of the application year.

3. Academic Standing and Enrollment: Applicants must have completed at least one full academic year of college and must currently be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours (or the equivalent in quarters/credits/courses) as a candidate for a bachelor’s degree, according to their institution’s standards. The institution must be a four-year, degree-granting, nonprofit college or university located in the State of Maine.
- Note: First-year college students are not eligible. Awards may not be used for graduate study or for community college coursework.

4. Academic Record: Applicants must submit a student copy of their college/university transcript (from the registrar) for all terms completed prior to the application date, demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 (or equivalent).

5. Essay: Submit a typed essay of no more than 750 words answering ONE of the two prompts on the current application form.

6. Resume: Provide a current resume, limited to two pages, detailing relevant coursework, academic honors, awards or scholarships, leadership roles, and work and volunteer experience.

7. Application Deadline: Complete and submit the online application by midnight Eastern Time on April 15 of the application year. No extensions will be granted.

8. Optional Materials: Applicants may include a sample of creative or academic work (for example, prose, poetry, published articles, or visual art) to give reviewers additional context about the applicant.

Selection Process

- The Scholarship Committee evaluates candidates and recommends recipients based on merit. The number of awards offered each year depends on the overall quality of submissions and the funds available.
- Recommended recipient names are forwarded to the Board of Directors for review.
- Successful applicants will receive written notification of their award. Scholarship funds are remitted to the recipient’s institution for application toward tuition in August.
- If a recipient is placed on academic probation or does not attend the institution in the semester following the award, the recipient is expected to make a good-faith effort to return the scholarship funds.
- Applicants may apply in multiple years, but an individual may receive only one scholarship from this program.

FAQ

- Questions: Direct inquiries about the scholarship to mssfscholarship@gmail.com.
- Confirmation of Receipt: You should receive an acknowledgment of your application within 72 hours of submission. If you do not, please resubmit your materials and check your spam/junk folder.
- Required Items: A completed online application form is required for every submission, along with the supporting documents listed in the Eligibility section.

Special Awards

- The Marjorie Pearson Memorial Award: This $1,500 award is reserved for an outstanding female applicant who combines strong academic achievement with exceptional volunteer leadership and demonstrates a clear enthusiasm for the State of Maine.