College Advising
Scholarships for College
The following list contains scholarship notices that are sent to Cheverus. See your School Counselor for more information, or visit the website associated with the scholarship. All seniors should check the Guidance website at their local public school to see if any scholarships apply to them. Want a video on what student loans and scholarships are all about?
DO NOT PAY to file the FAFSA. Do not pay for someone to locate scholarships for you. There is free help available at your college's financial aid office, on the web, in Cheverus' School Counseling and College Advising Offices, and at FAME (Finance Authority of Maine).
Deadlines Vary for the following scholarships:
- FAME Maine offers a list of scholarships for Maine students and a searchable database of scholarships.
- Maine Community Foundation: https://www.mainecf.org/find-a-scholarship/available-scholarships/. Check the scholarships labeled "Available statewide" and those for your county. The Chet Jordan Leadership Scholarship is available to Cheverus students and is due April 15.
- Scholarship resources gathered by a trusted source, including funding for Maine high school graduates.
- Scholarship Search through Sallie Mae, Chegg, and collegeboard are reputable sites.
- Long list of quirky scholarships Paying for College and here.
- UNE provides a long list of external scholarships (not for UNE students only)
- Many scholarships listed here https://jlvcollegecounseling.com/scholarships/
- The American Legion offer a variety of scholarships. Their oratorial scholarship program is a constitutional speech contest.
- Daughters of the American Revolution National Society Scholarships. Various scholarships.
- Are you a member of Cheverus Robotics Team? Apply for scholarships! (USM, WPI, Northeastern)
Scholarships -- Sorted by Deadlines - always double check deadlines
September 1
- The Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship for exceptional leaders. Full ride. 3.7 unweighted gpa, extensive involvement in your community/school.
- Equitable Excellence Scholarship for those who make a difference in other people's lives, opens Sept 1 https://equitable.com/foundation/equitable-excellence-scholarship
October 10
- YoungArts: actors, dancers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, singers, songwriters, visual artists, and/or writers in grades 10-12, apply for scholarships, the US Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and an opportunity to be in HBO's MasterClass.
- LendEdu essay contest about student loans/debt.
- Pirates Pitch Competition. Submit an original business idea, product or service and win scholarship money (money to you & more money if you attend Seton Hall University) All high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 3.0 gpa can apply.
October 25
- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans for families with less than $55,000 AGI.
- VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition
- Coca Cola Scholars for high school seniors with a 3.0 gpa - $20,000 scholarship
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation application opens in September, for students with high financial need and 3.5gpa, 26 ACT or 1200 SAT.
- Grades 9-12: Have you volunteered for many hours beyond the requirement? Ask to be nominated for the Prudential Community of Spirit Awards by filling out a request for nomination to Dr Moran.
- Heisman High School Scholarship for senior athletes with 3.0 who are also leaders
November 1
- Elks National Foundation has a variety of scholarships. For Most Valuable Student application, use Lodge #188
- Art contest celebrating conservation
- Have an original research project? Apply for the Regeneron scholarship.
- The Elizabeth Gillis Ahern and Leonard F. Ahern Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to one Cheverus senior, providing $7500 each year for each of your four years towards college tuition. A Google form will be available to seniors in November in their College Advising Google Classroom along with the requirements. Filing for financial aid at Cheverus is required.
- Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Multi-Race women and men graduating from Jesuit high schools can apply for a $3,000 scholarship available in their final two years of college. Apply by March 1.
December Deadlines
- AXA Achievement Scholarship for seniors who are active leaders.
- Maine Region Scholastic Art Award Competition. Submit artwork (art, film, poetry, writing)
- Foot Locker scholarship for senior student-athletes with a 3.0 unweighted GPA.
- Burger King Scholars based on grades, work experience, extracurriculars or service.
- Students with Hispanic/Latino heritage can apply for the Hispanic Heritage Foundation scholarship.
- Many credit unions offer scholarships to members. It does not take much $ to join a credit union: open a savings account! Northeast Credit Union is one of many that offer scholarships to their members. Atlantic Federal Credit Union offers scholarships to their members also.
- Attending UMaine Orono to study engineering? Apply for a full or partial scholarship through the Pulp & Paper Foundation.
- Free Speech Essay Contest from Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.
January 1 Deadline
- GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program for leadership, drive, integrity, citizenship.
- John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest $500 - 10,000 scholarships.
- Ron Brown Scholar Program for African American applicants.
- https://www.dosomething.org/us/about/easy-scholarships for students who volunteer
- JCI Senate Scholarship Application based on grades, leadership, financial need.
- The Point Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer who are planning to enroll in some form of higher education next year.
January 15 Deadline
- Those with Multiple Sclerosis or who have a parent with MS. Apply online.
- Seniors who wish to spend a year in Germany before going to college, to live with a host family and get work experience should consider the Congress-Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange Program.
- Greeting Card Design scholarship: submit a unique photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a greeting card.
- History buff? Enjoy politics? Washington Crossing Foundation offers scholarships.
- Juniors can apply for the Coolidge Scholarship. Coolidge Scholars are selected primarily on academic excellence. Secondary criteria include: an interest in public policy, an appreciation for the values President Coolidge championed, humility, and service.
- The Catholic Foundation of Maine "Lila Grace Sullivan Amirault Scholarship", one award to a Catholic student at each of the 2 Catholic High Schools in Maine. Award ranges from $4,000-4,500 and are need based, as evidenced by your filing of the FACTS financial aid application at Cheverus or FAFSA. Applications are in the College Advising Google Classroom and emailed to seniors in late winter. We will mail completed packages in early Feb.
- Maine Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers: Civil Engineering majors $2,000 scholarships for one year. Info and application.
February 1 Deadline
- Minorities with 1000 SAT or 21 ACT can apply for the Jackie Robinson scholarship
- Clyde Russell Scholarship - Maine residents only. Apply after October 1.
- Register for the Math Challenge, form a team and win scholarship money
Before Feb break deadline - this scholarship needs to be mailed before we take Feb break.
One Cheverus senior will be awarded the Marr Anderson Family Foundation $5,000 scholarship. We will work together to prepare the application materials and mail it before Feb break. Details will be released in the College Advising Google Classroom. Need-based/FAFSA required.
February 15 Deadline
- Scholarships for Military Children for children of active personnel, reserve/guard and retired military members. Min GPA 3.0 and plan to enroll in a 4 year college or university. Application opens mid December.
- Island Institute Scholarship for those living on Maine's 15 unbridged islands.
- Women in Transportation - scholarships for female seniors who are STEM majors interested in the transportation field.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund opens Jan 1, due Feb 15. FAFSA required.
- Construction related majors can apply for the Associated General Contractors of Maine scholarship.
March 1 Deadline
- Maine Society of Professional Engineers: 2 $2500 scholarships. Minimum SAT scores 620 Math. Must plan to attend an ABET accredited engineering program. Application available after February 1.
- Entering a construction related major? Apply for the AGC Maine scholarship.
- Mainely Character Scholarship - based solely on courage, integrity, responsibility, and concern for others.
- Black or African descent? Computer science or business major? Apply for Amazon's scholarship.
- Thinking of attending one of these 140 Catholic colleges? Apply for a $1,000 scholarship from the Catholic College Admission Association. Easiest application ever; no essay.
- Students who are children of former, active or retired officers or active or retired enlisted military personnel with a 3.0 gpa can apply for interest free loans and grants. Financial need required.
- Are you enrolling in one of these New England colleges? Apply to be nominated for a $2,000 scholarship (3.0 gpa required)
- Indigenous Education, Inc. provides scholarships to enrolled members in a tribe. Merit and need-based awards.
- Live in Brunswick, Topsham, Harpswell, Bowdoin or Bowdoinham? Apply for the Brunswick Student Aid Fund. FAFSA required.
- Are you a Northeast Credit Union customer? Apply for their scholarship.
March 10 Deadline
- Margaret Chase Smith Essay Contest for Maine high school seniors. $1,000 1st prize, $500 2nd place.
- The Portland Water District announces a $1500.00 scholarship for students who live in their area of coverage who intend to major in engineering, enviro studies, public health or related studies. Go to their website for criteria and application. FAFSA required.
- Rainbow Business & Professional Association scholarship for students who have "worked to foster diversity and end bullying and discrimination in their schools and communities."
- Unitil offers 6 scholarships for those majoring in a STEM field.
- Majoring in construction or a related trade like civil engineering, architecture? National Association of Women in Construction offer males and females scholarships ranging from $500-1500. Click here for application. Financial need is a consideration.
- American Foreign Service Association High School Essay Contest
- Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund for students with financial need (EFC of 10K), service to others, part-time job, 3.0 GPA, renewable for 4 years of college. App available December.
- Enrolling on one of the 40 Colleges That Change Lives? Apply for a $4k scholarship ($1k/year) if you also filed for financial aid.
April 1 Deadline
- Majoring in life sciences, bio? Apply for the BioMaine scholarship.
- Maine State Golf Association, financial need required.
- Ruffed Grouse Society scholarship application for those majoring in wildlife, conservation, forestry.
- The Cumberland County Sheriff's Department offers the Student/Athlete Scholarship. One scholarship will award two $1k grants for a deserving female and male student. Another scholarship for a law enforcement major who was an athlete in high school. (application updated in Feb on their site)
- Majoring in a solid waste related field like enviro science, engineering? Maine Solid Waste Association offers a scholarship.
- Maine Chiefs of Police scholarship for a senior majoring in law enforcement.
- Maine Education Services offers 10 $5,000 scholarships. Application opens January 1.
- New England Assoc for College Admissions Counseling, of which Cheverus is a long-time member, offers an essay contest open to New England high schools. $1000 scholarship.
- Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine offers three awards and a nursing scholarship.
- Alpha One Powering Education Scholarship for a student with a disability and B or above GPA, $2,000.
- Maine Manufacturer's Association offers scholarships for those majoring in precision machining technology, manufacturing technology, welding or engineering and going to college in Maine.
- Write an essay about elder abuse prevention, earn a $1,000 scholarship from Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention.
May 1 Deadline
- Many credit unions offer scholarships if you are a member. It is easy to set up a savings account with little money at any credit union. UCU is an example of a credit union that offers a scholarship if you attend a Maine State University (including MMA) if you are also a UCU member.
- U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services Nursing Scholarship and loan forgiveness in exchange for a 2 year service agreement in a hospital with a critical shortage of nurses.
- Engineering or architecture majors: WBRC, an engineering and architecture firm in Portland, offers a $1,000 scholarship after your 1st semester at college if you earn a 2.5 GPA. Info and application.
- James V. Day Scholarship through the American Legion to descendants of a ME Legionnaire.
- Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship through American Legion if parent or grandparent is a veteran.
- American Legion Children & Youth Scholarship to a financially needy student with a veteran parent or grandparent.
- Unity Lodge $1,000 scholarship to someone who volunteers outside of school and participates in extra-curricular activity at school. Min 2.0 GPA, going to college in Maine, with family income under $75,000.
- NECBAC Book Scholarship of $300 to minority students. Application required, and you must attend one of the 30 colleges on their list.
- Annual "Arrive Alive" Creative Contest - send a message to your peers about texting & driving www.arrivealivecreativecontest.com
- The Maine Difference Scholarship, funded by Lamey-Wellehan, is intended to aid in the cost of attaining an education for a Maine young person studying at a Maine college or university. The focus of the student's studies should be on the ecology and economics of Maine.
- Going to a 2 year college? Have lots of financial need (Pell eligible)? The Horatio Alger Scholarship Program is taking applications from March 15 to June 1 for their Career & Technical Program.
- Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship, awarded to one student in each Maine county. FAFSA required, as is enrolling in a Maine college.
- Juniors only: The Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship for exceptional leaders. Full ride. 3.7 unweighted gpa, extensive involvement in your community/school.
June 1 Deadline
Young men headed to certain colleges (UMaine Orono, BC among others) can apply for the SigEp Balanced Man scholarship. You do not have to join the fraternity to earn the scholarship.
Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine - 2 scholarship competitions - essay opens Jan 1 and closes June 15, and if you have produced an exceptional piece of original writing, fiction or non-fiction, or an unusually expressive piece of visual or performance art relating to human rights. https://hhrcmaine.org/awards-scholarships/
June 25 Deadline
Young men needing financial aid, living in Portland, can apply for the Sylvan B. Phillips Trust Fund.
Students needing financial aid, living in Portland, can apply for the James Rackleff Trust Fund.
July 1 Deadline
Paying for College
All families of seniors should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, even if you think you won't qualify. If circumstances change, you've already filed the one required form, and sometimes colleges ask for the FAFSA when awarding merit aid. Most colleges want it filed in fall of senior year, and it only becomes available on October 1 each year.
FAME Maine performs lots of outreach like this to help families navigate the often-confusing financial aid process. They will not try to sell you anything.
Couldn't make it to FAFSA Night? Get the notes here. There's a free in-depth FAFSA Guide here.
Recent press about paying for college
Updated Annually
- Money Magazine's Annual Best Colleges List with a focus on affordability and great value colleges.
- Return on Investment (ROI) chart for 1200 colleges at Payscale
January 2019
- The best article I've seen about how (and if) home equity affects financial aid. Remember, FAFSA-only colleges like UMaine don't look at home equity. Only colleges that require the CSS Profile look at home equity, and at varying percentages. Also, a quick calculator that shows effect of home equity on financial aid formula
March 2016
- Brookings Institute "Value-Added" list of colleges, based on earnings power and loan repayment
May 2015
November 2014
- The best article on EFC -- in depth info on how to figure it out based on your income (AGI), and info on the CSS Profile and FAFSA.
August 2014
- Choosing a major, keeping in mind your earning potential, likelihood of an advanced degree being required, and the job outlook.
April 2014
- "the goal of a financial aid package might be to persuade you not to come" and other things colleges don't want you to know
September 2013
- How Divorce Affects Financial Aid (or, who files FAFSA?)
July 2013
- If you like graphs, try this one out, measuring college cost based on family income.
September 2012
- Kiplinger's Personal Finance has 7 great tips
April 2012
- Time Magazine's '6 myths about financial aid'.
November 2011
- Wall Street Journal examines how irrational we are when choosing colleges and offers tips on how to pay for it.
Colleges often offer scholarships, in the form of merit money, to admitted students. Often, it's a combination of grades and test scores that secure a scholarship, or volunteerism or athletics. Be sure to investigate if a separate scholarship application is required. Sometimes, an admissions application is all that is required. Here are some examples.
Criteria: graduation from a Catholic high school
- Anna Maria College-New England Catholic High School Scholarship: $15,000 per year for four years.
- Assumption College 'Brother Brassard Scholarship' offers $2500 if you are admitted and graduate from a Catholic high school. Can be combined with other merit money & need based aid.
- Emmanuel College (Boston) offers $5,000 per year for Catholic HS grads who are admitted.
- Presentation College (SD) offers up to $4,000 per year for Catholic HS grads with 3.0+gpa.
- Regis College Presidential Catholic Scholarship: Full tuition for 4 years, must have 3.7gpa and be nominated by High School Principal.
- Seton Hall University (NJ) offers $2,000 annually stackable award for admitted applicants with 3.0 gpa and a 1350 SAT or 29 ACT.
- Stonehill College offers a $10,000 per year scholarship for Cheverus grads who are admitted
- University of Dayton (OH) offers a Leadership in Service scholarship at $2500/year for each of the 4 years. Ask Ms Coddaire to be nominated. Visit campus, file FAFSA in October and receive an extra $1,000/year for textbooks.
Criteria: graduation from a Jesuit high school
- All 28 Jesuit colleges' merit scholarships are here. Not all require graduation from a Jesuit high school.
- Loyola Chicago's Jesuit Heritage Award and Marquette's offer a half-tuition scholarship to one Cheverus senior each year, for their 4 years at Loyola or Marquette. A separate scholarship application to Marquette is required. See Guidance or Cheverus College Advising to be nominated for the Loyola half-tuition scholarship (3.0, 23 ACT or 1160 SAT required).
- LeMoyne College Ignatian Scholarship offers $18,000 per year for four years. No separate app required. A full tuition scholarship is due Feb 1 and a separate application is required.
Criteria: graduation from Cheverus high school
Attending UMO? There is a scholarship for one Cheverus graduate who will attend UMO, the Nanovic Scholarship, for $2,000 each year for four years. See Ms. Coddaire in College Advising to put your name on the list.
Criteria: a certain major
- Female Computer Major at Champlain. Ask to be nominated for this $10k/year scholarship.
- Computer Science majors: full tuition at Marist College in NY.
- University of Kansas SELF program for engineering & computer majors and leadership.
- UMaine Orono - full tuition Pulp & Paper Scholarship for engineering majors who are aware of and open to pulp & paper careers.
- Cooperative Education Scholarship at one of the 10 Co-Op Colleges (Drexel, Johnson & Wales, Kettering, Wentworth, RIT, U of Cincinnati, U of Toledo, Merrimack)
- Latin Majors: a full, 4-year scholarship to John Carroll University (Jesuit, Ohio)
- Physics Majors at Marietta College (Ohio) can compete for a $25,000 award.
Criteria: High Achievers
- Boston University Trustee Scholarship requires a separate application & nomination from High School Principal.
- Northeastern's top merit award is $20,000 (& several Cheverus seniors earned it), $30,000 if you are a National Merit Semifinalist.
- Stonehill's top merit award is $25,000 (& several Cheverus seniors earned it).
- WPI's top merit award is $20,000 for #1 in the class.
- USM: Presidential Scholarship, $4,000.
- UMO: top 5 in class rank earns the highest merit money amount of $8,000. No separate app required.
- University of Toledo Presidential Scholarship if 3.8GPA, 30 ACT or 1400 SAT (ERW+Math): full tuition, room and board for all 4 years.
- Seton Hall: 28 ACT or 1310 SAT and top 10% of their high school class gets reduced tuition.
- Simmons, a women's college in Boston, offers full tuition, room and board for 28 ACT or 1300 SAT. Competitive application process, not an automatic award.
- National Merit Semi-Finalists: lots of colleges provide full tuition (Fordham) or a full ride (UMaine Orono).
Criteria: student from Maine or New England
- University of Kansas Non Resident Renewable Scholarships: KU Awards start with 3.5 GPA.
Criteria: participation in the FIRST Robotics Team
- Worcester PolyTechnic Institute offers 2 scholarships ($20,000 and $5,000) if you compete at the New England level.
Criteria: participation in college choral
- Assumption College offers competitive vocal merit scholarships from $5,000-10,000
Criteria: lots of volunteering
- Assumption College's Light the Way scholarship for those who make a positive contribution to society
If you apply to an out-of-state public university in New England for a degree not offered in the Maine state university system, you may be eligible for a tuition break. You pay less than out-of-state rates but more than in-state tuition. Example: a meteorology degree is not offered at the Maine state university system but Plymouth State in NH and Lyndon State in VT offer the degree.
Visit the site to learn more, go straight to the majors offered to Maine students, or pick up a brochure in the College Advising Office.
In the past, Cheverus students have taken advantage of the programs at UCONN for biomedical engineering and actuarial science, UMass Amherst for social thought & political theory, URI for landscape architecture and ocean engineering, Lyndon and Plymouth for meteorology.
How do you know if a college is too expensive for your family? Where do you start?
Colleges award money in two ways: merit scholarship or need-based aid. Some colleges award a combination of both need-based aid and merit scholarships.
Let's take an example: BC, Holy Cross, Colby, Bates and Bowdoin only award need-based aid. How do you know if you would qualify for need-based aid at these colleges? There are 2 ways to find out:
- Complete fafsa4caster.ed.gov to find out your family's EFC or estimated family contribution. That number is very important at colleges that only award need-based aid. Have a high EFC? You might not qualify for any aid at that college, and pay the full amount. (Locate FAFSA4caster at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate)
- The other way to find out if a college will award you need-based aid is to complete their Net Price Calculator, available on each college's financial aid page. If you cannot easily locate the NPC on any college's website, do a site search for the term.
What about colleges that award merit money? Again, complete the Net Price Calculator on each college's website to see how much merit money you might earn. The calculator will ask you about GPA (get that from your report card which has your cumulative GPA) and SAT or ACT scores.
The least expensive way to earn a college degree is to begin at community college, spend 1-2 years there, then transfer to the university or college of your choice to complete your bachelor's degree.
The next least expensive way to earn a college degree is to enroll in your in-state university and earn the degree in 4 years or less. See if you can test out of any courses or apply your AP Exam credit to any courses to shorten your stay at college. (the $90 you pay for an AP exam is much less expensive than an intro course at college that can cost thousands of dollars!)
Want to get out of Maine? New England state universities offer a tuition break program for some majors. You won't pay as low as in-state tuition, but you won't pay as much as an out-of-stater.
Many students focus on colleges that will award them generous merit money for good grades and SAT/ACT scores. Merit money does not have to be repaid - it's not a loan - and is usually renewable for your 4 years of college.
In exchange for serving your country, the military will help you pay for college. You can serve now and attend college later, or go to college now and serve later. Look into ROTC if you want college first. Here are the ROTC sites:
- Air Force ROTC
- Army ROTC
- Navy & Marine Corps ROTC
Many Cheverus students wish to continue their Jesuit education at the college level. There are 28 Jesuit colleges and universities. You can find the map here, and a listing of merit scholarships offered by each of the 28 colleges here. Juniors receive a hard copy of the listing in College Advising class in March.
Note: Marquette & Loyola Chicago offer a half tuition scholarship to one accepted Cheverus senior each year, for the 4 years at the college.