Workshops offer MaineCF scholarship application details

By Kaysa Jalbert

At the Windham Public Library, a representative from the Maine Community Foundation will be offering two separate scholarship workshops, one for students and another for Adult Learners, over the next two months.

The Maine Community Foundation will offer
two upcoming workshops regarding available
scholarships at the Windham Public Library
including one for high school and college
students on Tuesday, March 5 and another
for adult learners on Tuesday, April 2.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

The MaineCF Scholarship Workshop for Traditional Students, such as high school and college students, will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at the library while the Scholarship Workshop for Adult Learners will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, also at the library, 217 Windham Center Road in Windham.

“We offer scholarship workshops across the state to support students through what can be a daunting process,” said Jackie Shannon, Maine Community Foundation scholarship manager. “These workshops provide information about MaineCF’s 700-plus scholarships and answer questions about the application process.”

The first workshop is for traditional high school and college students, and their parents if applicable. It will help students access MaineCF’s online application portal, find out what they are eligible for, and start to gather the materials they need to successfully complete and submit their applications.

The second workshop is for adults returning to school or starting school after an extended time off. It will focus exclusively on the Adult Learner program and attendees will learn how to gather the needed materials and what the committee is looking for regarding a quality application.

Awards from the Maine Community Foundation are based on academic performance, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities, work experience, and do not take into consideration an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status.

“MaineCF scholarships offer financial support for so many different types of students, from graduating high school seniors to adults returning to school or entering the trades,” says Shannon. “We want everyone to know about the scholarships that are available to them. Sometimes, a scholarship can be just what someone needs to be able to attend college or pursue a passion.”

Windham High School students can also ask at their guidance office for more information regarding a range of other MaineCF scholarships available at their school including:

** The Janet P. Magee Scholarship Fund was established in 2023 to support graduating, female seniors at Windham High School who are pursuing a post-secondary education. Preference will be given to applicants pursuing studies at either University of Southern Maine or Southern New Hampshire University and selection will be based on financial need and academic achievement.

** The O. William Robertson Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarship assistance to graduating seniors at Windham High School, or its successor agency, with a preference for students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing post-secondary education at a University of Maine or Maine Community College System institution.

The Maine Community Foundation is the state’s second-largest foundation. MaineCF’s donor partners have provided more than $665 million in grants to organizations and scholarships to thousands of organizations and individuals in Maine.

The connections between MaineCF, donors, nonprofits and community leaders help to achieve a shared mission: bringing people and resources together to build a better Maine, Shannon said.

MaineCF has more than 700 scholarships available that support students regardless of their race, age, ancestry or national origin, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental disability, religion, or geographical region within the state of Maine.

The foundation’s approach is designed to reward students’ strengths and to affirm the positive aspects of their lives and work.

Rules for MaineCF’s scholarships include ensuring the application is received before the indicated deadline, applications must include all required information, all awards must be accepted by signing a Terms of Award letter, and you must inform the Maine Community Foundation if you move or your enrollment status changes.

More information regarding Maine Community Foundation Scholarships can be found online at mainecf.org/ <