Money for College >> Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based on a number of things.

• Some are given on the basis of grades.
• Others are given on the basis of need.
• Some are awarded based on the most compelling essay.
• Some combine several criteria.
• Renewable scholarships are ones that you can get for 4 years so long as you maintain a certain average in college.
• Most local scholarships (those for students living in the community) are announced March and due in April.

There are many sources of information for scholarships. Talk to your guidance counselor first. Most high schools have scholarships which are just for their graduates. If you have already graduated, you can still visit your high school guidance office. Speak to the financial advisor at the college you plan to attend as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. Also, check out the scholarships available through the Maine Community Foundation.

FAST Web is a web site devoted to scholarships that is approved by most educators. Sign up with them for newsletters and scholarship alerts.

Financial Authority of Maine (FAME) FAME is the best kept secret in Maine. They know everything about financial aid to problems with the FAFSA to the best source of loans and lists of scholarships for Maine students.