Maine Scholarships

The OUT Maine Scholarship Fund provides renewable scholarships of $1,000 to $25,000 annually for LGBTQ+ Maine youth pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited, not-for-profit, non-sectarian college, university, or technical/vocational school in the United States. Applicants must be an LGBTQ+ Maine resident between the ages of 17 and 22, planning to attend or currently attending an eligible institution, with demonstrated financial need (FAFSA Student Aid Report required, waived for students unable to file due to immigration status). A cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 is preferred but not required, and preference goes to students from underserved Maine communities and first-generation college students. The application, including an essay, two letters of recommendation, transcript, and proof of Maine residency, is due April 1 each year. Recipients check in periodically with OUT Maine staff.

Undergraduate students with at least one year of college completed, or graduate students, at accredited U.S. institutions whose daily lives are guided by spiritual values may apply. Preference goes to candidates residing in or attending schools in Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed for subsequent years. Apply with three autobiographical essays, three letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and an in-person interview. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Fund to support students whose actions reflect strong moral and spiritual values.

Maine artists age 25 or older with at least two years of full-time state residency may apply in one of six disciplines: fine craft, literary arts, media arts, performing arts, traditional arts, or visual arts. Applicants cannot be enrolled students at the start of the award cycle and may receive the fellowship only once. Six fellows are named annually, one per discipline, each receiving a $5,000 unrestricted merit award. Fellows receive website promotion and networking opportunities throughout the year. The FY2026 cycle closed September 3, 2025. The program reopens annually in late July with a September deadline. The Maine Arts Commission awards Individual Artist Fellowships to recognize artistic excellence among Maine practitioners.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Polish descent who are women entering the first, second, or third year of an M.D. program at an accredited U.S. medical school may apply. First preference goes to Massachusetts residents, then to New England applicants if no Massachusetts candidates qualify. The award is a non-renewable $3,500 scholarship. There is a $40 application fee.

Maine residents enrolled at least half time in an initial undergraduate certificate, associate, or bachelor's program at an eligible Maine institution (or an approved out-of-state school through NEBHE's Tuition Break Program) may receive this need-based grant. Eligibility depends on financial need under the annual aid-index cap set for the program. Awards are up to $2,500 for full-time enrollment (up to $1,250 half time). Funds are paid directly to the college for credit to the student account. The number of recipients varies. File the FAFSA each year by May 1 for consideration. Your school reviews enrollment status and need to determine eligibility and may include the grant in your aid offer.

The Adult Learner Scholarship supports Maine residents defined as nontraditional students, including adults over 25, full-time workers while enrolled, parents with dependents, financially independent students, GED completers, or those who delayed college after high school. Short-term credential awards ($200–$1,200) use a rolling deadline; long-term awards ($1,000–$2,500 per semester) have June 15 and November 15 deadlines. Programs must be accredited. FAFSA is required when eligible. Committee weighs financial need, preparation, goals, and commitment to remain in Maine.

Maine residents who are high school graduates or enrolled full time in an accredited post-secondary program may apply if they are dependents of an MGFPA member-company employee or owner, or student employees of a member company with at least six months of employment. Three $1,000 awards are offered annually based on financial need, academic merit, community involvement, and career goals, especially in business and the food industry. Submit a complete typed application. Handwritten applications are not accepted.

Legal U.S. residents in the 50 states or D.C. enrolled in vocational or two- to four-year postsecondary programs (including high school seniors, college, and graduate students) with at least a 3.0 GPA may apply. Preference goes to Maine or New Hampshire students. One $1,000 scholarship is awarded. Submit a 750-1,000 word essay on road-safety measures to reduce motorcycle accidents and distracted driving, plus a resume and transcript.

Maine musicians in grades 9 through 12 with marked ability in organ (preferred), piano, violin, voice, or orchestral instruments may compete for Kotzschmar Memorial Trust scholarships administered by Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ. Your primary residence must be in Maine, and children of active FOKO board members or employees are ineligible. Award amounts and recipient count vary at the committee's discretion. Submit an application with two to three contrasting music selections as scores, a video audition of up to 10 minutes uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and a musical profile listing your experience and instructors. Selected applicants are invited to a live audition before a panel of judges.

Maine high school students accepted into an AFS School Program are automatically considered for this scholarship. A volunteer advisory committee selects one recipient each year from that pool. Geographic priority, in order, is Ellsworth High School students, Sumner High School students, Hancock County residents, then other Maine residents. Preference goes to students for whom the experience is likely to be life-changing and who have not traveled widely. Award amounts vary. No separate application is required beyond AFS acceptance. Established in 2006 by Linda and Dennis King and others at the Maine Community Foundation in memory of their son, Cooper E. King, who traveled to Belgium as an AFS student from Ellsworth High School.