Category: Educational Aid

UMaine Offers Free Summer Courses

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

The University of Maine’s Early College summer course registration is still open with over 75 tuition-free online courses available to high school students. Early College students have access to world-class faculty at Maine’s flagship university and the only Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution in Maine.

Qualified high school students can earn up to 12 college credits per year at UMaine and its regional campus in Machias. Live and online classes run from May 6 until Aug. 16. UMaine’s flexible summer schedule includes online and live courses and several unique on-site experiences. Students and parents can visit the program’s website to learn more about the program and eligibility. Those who are ready to apply can do so directly via the Early College portal here. Applications are due one week prior to the course start dates. Seniors graduating in 2024 will not be eligible to participate in Summer 2024 Early College courses. For a complete list of courses and locations, download the program’s online guide.

Note: The online guide can easily be printed for your Grange’s Bulletin Board.

Parkman Grange to Award Scholarships

Parkman Grange is located in Parkman Maine

Wanted: Applicants for the 2024 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship. All SAD 4 Residents are eligible!

The Parkman Grange is announcing plans to award 2024 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships to one or more deserving SAD 4 graduates continuing their education beyond high school. The Grange awarded $500 scholarships in 2023 to Matthew Chadbourne, Sangerville, a Social Work major at the University of Southern Maine; Mercy Harper, Sangerville, a Criminal Justice major at Husson University; MacKenzie Kain, Parkman, an Early Childhood Education major at Kennebec Valley Community College; and, Merrilee Levensailor, Guilford, an Accounting major at the University of Maine Augusta. 

This is a call for qualified applicants for the 2024 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships. Applicants must be SAD 4 residents, must have successfully completed at least one term of post-high school education, and be enrolled for the upcoming term. Application packages may be picked up at the Parkman Town Office or from the bulletin board on the porch of the Grange Hall. Completed applications must be submitted to the Parkman Town Office or, if mailed, postmarked by July 12, 2024, with no exceptions. Winners will be announced in August.

Minnie Bridge (1909-2011) was a lifelong resident of Parkman, a retired schoolteacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund. From this Fund, the Grange annually awards one or more $500 scholarships. To date, the Grange has awarded $15,000 in scholarships. For more information, contact Sue Manchester at (207) 717-6248.

Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship fund was established in 2023 by friends and family of Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser. Ernie was a long-time Grange member in Virginia and a charter member of Beach Community Grange #958, VA, which was chartered in 1959. She was very supportive of the Youth program at the local, state, and national levels. Ernie was a firm believer in the importance of education, and her family and friends desired to continue her legacy by establishing this scholarship program. The value of the scholarship is $1,000.

Scholarship Requirements

  • Applicant must be a Grange member in good standing with a minimum of one year of membership.
  • Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors or continuing two-year community college, four-year college/university, or postsecondary vocational school students attending an accredited school. Students pursuing graduate degrees or higher vocational certifications are also eligible to apply.
  • Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time students.
  • An applicant is eligible to apply for the scholarship each year; however, if selected, will only be eligible to receive it a maximum of two times.
  • Two (2) – Recommendation Letters are required. The writers of the letters of recommendation must be unrelated to the applicant.
  • One letter from a member of the applicant’s Community (local) Grange. It may be an officer or member of the Community Grange.
  • One letter from a teacher/guidance counselor/mentor. The letter should be on school letterhead or organizational letterhead, if applicable.
  • Essay – The applicant may use one of the prompts below for their essay. The limit is a maximum of 500 words, or the equivalent of two pages, typed and double-spaced.

How to apply

  • Paper applications must be typed, printed, and signed.
  • A checklist of the required application materials for a complete application is included.
  • Applications may be emailed to ngfb@grange.org and must be received by March 1.
  • Mailed applications must be received by March 1 and should be mailed to:

National Grange Foundation Board
Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Joan Smith, Chair
39 Clubhouse Road
Rotonda West, FL 33947

Information and Application

Clyde Russell Scholarship Fund Deadline Approaches

Reprinted with permission from a newsletter from Stacy Guerin, Maine State Senator, District 4.

The Clyde Russell Scholarship Fund (CRSF) offers financial awards to Maine graduating high school seniors to attend higher education institutions. The CRSF was created by the Maine Education Association through a trust established by the late Audrey Lewis, who served as president in 1958. The Fund was named after Clyde Russell, who served as Executive Director for over two decades.

There are two categories of awards as follows:

  • Awards of up to $2,000 for graduating high school seniors who will attend a Maine Community College;
  • Awards of up to $10,000 for graduating high school seniors who will attend a four-year college.

The applications will be available on CRSF’s website until Jan. 31, 2024; and the deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2024. The entire application must be received by CRSF via their P.O. Box no later than Feb. 1, 2024. Please allow 5-7 days for mail delivery to meet the Feb. 1 deadline.

Legion Scholarship Event

The American Legion Department of Maine High School Oratorical Scholarship Program will be held at Thomas College in Waterville on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Interested students can begin preparations now for the contest.

The program aims to help high school students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution. Other objectives of the contest are the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and preparation for accepting and discharging civil duties as American citizens.

Applications to participate must be submitted by December 1, 2023.

The scholarship program, held by the American Legion for more than 77 years, is for those students who are looking for an academic challenge and the opportunity to win scholarship money for their education careers. Please visit their website or download the event’s brochure for more information.

Note: The Legion seeks volunteers to help with this event. Could there be a Grange Team involved? Information and the number to call is available on the website.

Parkman Grange to Award Scholarships

Saturday, August 12, 2023, will be the ninth annual  Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Supper, sponsored by Parkman Grange, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., at the Grange Hall, State Highway 150, and North Dexter Rd. The supper, featuring smoked pork loin, baked beans, salads, and desserts, is open to the public by donation. All monies will go to the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund. 2023 Scholarships will be awarded at the supper.

Minnie Bridge was a lifelong resident of Parkman, ME, a retired school teacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving SAD 4-area students continuing their education beyond high school.  The Grange annually awards one or more Scholarships of $500 each, funded through donations and the annual suppers in Minnie’s name. To date, the Grange has awarded $13,000 in scholarships to deserving SAD 4-area students. For more information, contact Sue Manchester at 277-3942.

Beal University Promotes Grange Scholarships

With campuses in Bangor and Wilton, Maine, and New Brunswick, Canada, Beal University offers 26 programs, from Diploma to Master’s, across six fields of study, including Health Sciences, Nursing, and Addiction Counseling.

Education Aid Makes Major Criteria Change to Scholarships

Both the Educational Aid Scholarship and Howes Nurses Scholarship are available to ALL college students. It is no longer necessary to be a Grange Member to qualify. The trustees are asking for help from local Granges with “getting the word out” to students and colleges.

Download this appeal letter and Donation form
Download Scholarship Information and Application

Parkman Grange Seeks Scholars

The Parkman Grange is announcing plans to award 2023 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships to one or more deserving SAD 4 residents continuing their education beyond high school. The Grange last awarded $500 scholarships to Eben Cooley of Parkman and Mercy Harper of Sangerville in 2022.

This is a call for qualified applicants for the 2023 Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarships. Applicants must be SAD 4 residents, must have successfully completed at least one term of post-high school education, and must be enrolled for the upcoming term. Application packages may be picked up at any of the Parkman, Guilford, and Sangerville Town Offices, as well as the Guilford Library. Completed applications must be submitted by July 14, 2023, with no exceptions. Winners will be announced in August.

Minnie Bridge (1909-2011) was a lifelong resident of Parkman, a retired schoolteacher, and a life member of the Parkman Grange. In her memory, the Grange established the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund, originally to benefit deserving Parkman students continuing their education beyond high school. Due to a lack of Parkman applicants in 2021, the Grange expanded eligibility to include all SAD 4 residents.

The Grange annually awards one or more Scholarships funded through donations and the proceeds from an annual supper in Minnie’s honor. To date, the Grange has awarded $13,000 in scholarships. For more information, contact Sue Manchester at 277-3942.

Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship Opens February 1

Reprinted, with permission, from an e-newsletter prepared by Stacey Guerin, Senator for District 4

The Maine Legislature annually recognizes one student from each county who is currently pursuing or planning to pursue education at a two- or four-year degree-granting Maine college or technical school. Administered through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), these awards are given to Maine resident high school seniors or full- or part-time postsecondary students accepted to or enrolled in accredited Maine colleges for graduate or undergraduate degrees.

The 2023-2024 application cycle will open on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, and scholarship applications will be accepted until the deadline of May 1, 2023. Scholarship awards of $1,000 will be given to one student in each of Maine’s counties (16 total). Only complete applications will be considered, which should include the following:

  • A completed 2023-2024 Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship application (available Feb. 1 here)
  • An essay (make sure the applicant’s name appears on all pages)
  • Submission of transcripts, recommendations, and a 2023-2024 Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • College students should include both college and high school transcripts
  • All transcripts should also indicate graduation date or anticipated graduation date
  • A copy of a high school diploma or equivalent

Recipients selected from applications submitted by the May 1, 2023 deadline will be selected and notified in the fall. Notifications are not sent to those applicants not selected.

It’s important that students submit the 2023-2024 free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) back from the federal government. The SAR with Expected Family Contribution (EFC), income information, and number of family members must be sent to FAME and postmarked by the deadline during the application period.

Webmaster’s Note: This is also a great opportunity to remind Granges sponsoring scholarships to make sure we have your current information. Please check the About Scholarships Page and submit any corrections or changes with by using the submit tab at the top of the site or sending an email.