-
Colleges
-
Graduate School
- Graduate School
- Scout Grad School Search Find and compare grad schools based on your preferences, goals and academic interests.
- $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship Enter to win our $5,000 no essay grad school scholarship in 2 min or less.
- Graduate Degrees Explore graduate degree options that fit your goals.
- Paying for Graduate School Understand costs and explore ways to pay for grad school.
-
Scholarships
- Scholarships
- $2,000 No Essay Scholarship Enter to win our no essay $2,000 college scholarship in 2 minutes or less.
- Scholly Scholarships Easily find and sort through thousands of college scholarships for free.
- Scholarships for High School Seniors Explore scholarships for high school seniors and get tips on how to apply.
- Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships Apply for up to $0 in scholarships each month with just one form.
- $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship Enter to win our $5,000 no essay grad school scholarship in 2 min or less.
-
Financial aid
- Financial Aid Grants, work-study, and federal student loans can all be part of your financial aid package.
- FAFSA® Guide Learn how to answer the 2026-27 FAFSA® questions like a pro.
- Financial Aid Offers Compare financial aid offers to determine the most affordable schools for you and your family.
- College Grants Learn more about federal and state grants and how to apply.
- Federal Pell Grants Discover what a Pell Grant is, who is eligible, and how to apply.
- Financial Aid Resources Get expert guidance on maximizing your financial aid options to make education more affordable.
-
Pay for School
- Sallie Mae® Student Loans
- Private Student Loans Find a private student loan designed to fit your needs.
- Undergrad Student Loan For college students earning a bachelor's or associate's degree.
- Graduate Student Loans Choose the right loan for your graduate degree or post-graduate studies.
- Career Training Loan For students taking professional training or certificate courses.
- Student Loan Resources Everything you need to navigate student loans with confidence.
Scholarships
Maine scholarships: Top scholarships for ME students
Here's a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Scholarships for Maine
9 days left!
Apply now
Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship
Due: 4/30/26
$2,000
10 days left!
Apply now
James V. Day Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$500
The James V. Day Scholarship will be awarded to descendent(s) of a Maine Legionnaire, living or deceased. Applicants shall be the children or grandchildren of current or deceased members of an American Legion Post in the State of Maine. Applicants must be of good character and demonstrated through their past behavior that they believe in the American way of life. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from persons, other than relatives and teachers, who have had the personal opportunity to observe the applicant and who can give worthwhile opinion of the character, industry, purposefulness and general worthiness of the applicant. Applicants must also submit a proof of application, acceptance or current attendance at an accredited college or vocational school. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of Maine for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Maine Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Fund
Due: 5/1/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
The Maine Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Fund, founded in 1985, provides scholarship support to Maine veterans of the United States Armed Services who served in the Vietnam Theater and their descendants. As a second priority, the scholarship may be awarded to children of veterans of the United States Armed Services. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maine Community Foundation, Inc. for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Marion F. & Peter Plouff Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
The Marion F. and Peter Plouff Scholarship provides renewable support to residents of Dexter to pursue their education at a post-secondary institution. Preference is given to adult learners returning to school to continue their education and to students who have previously received a Plouff scholarship. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maine Community Foundation, Inc. for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
The Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students whose parent or grandparent must be a veteran. Students must submit a copy of military discharge and identify their relationship with the veteran. Applicants must be enrolled in, or attending an accredited college or vocational technical school. Applicants must be of good character and must have demonstrated by his or her past behavior that they believe in the American way of life as demonstrated through letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of Maine for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
Varies
The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund makes college more accessible by removing financial barriers. The scholarship will be awarded to permanent residents of New England states, with financial need, who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. Applicants must be an entering or returning student at an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States and must be pursuing a bachelor's degree (BA, BS, BFA, BSN for example) for the first time. Students in one-year or two-year certificate or associate's degree programs do not qualify. Students in five-plus year programs ending in a master's degree or beyond may apply for the first four (undergraduate) years of their programs. Applicants should be enrolled in a demanding course of study and demonstrate skilled writing. High school applicants are welcome to apply using the Early Response deadline of April 3, 2025. Applicants must submit the contact information for at least one recommender. High school applicants must add a school counselor as their required recommender. They may add up to three other recommenders. Recommenders should not be relatives or personal friends. College applicants may add a college professor, high school teacher, or another community contact as their required recommender. They may add up to three other recommenders. Recommenders should not be relatives or personal friends. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Joseph W. Mayo ALS Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
In 2000, while serving as Clerk of the House, Mr. Mayo was stricken with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Friends of Joe Mayo have established this scholarship to recognize his contributions as a father, friend and public servant. The Joseph W. Mayo ALS Scholarship was established to assist men and women who are children, stepchildren, grandchildren, spouses, domestic partners, or primary caregivers of people with ALS. This scholarship is awarded annually to students who are attending a post-secondary educational institution, including both four-year colleges and two-year associate programs. Applicants must be graduates of Maine high schools or GED programs. Applicants must list two persons who we can contact who know of your family's association with ALS. Applicants are welcome, but not required, to submit letters of support and reference along with the initial application. Applications may be submitted through email or mail. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maine Community Foundation, Inc. for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
The Daniel E. Lambert Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students whose parents or grandparents must be veterans. Applicants must show evidence of being enrolled in, or attending an accredited college or vocational technical school. They must be of good character and have demonstrated by their past behavior that they believe in the American way of life, both demonstrated through letters of recommendation. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Maine for more information.
10 days left!
Apply now
Lawrence Alan Spiegel Remembrance Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
The Lawrence Alan Spiegel Remembrance Scholarship is awarded annually to the graduating high school senior who authors the prize-winning original essay. Applicants must be a high school senior or home schooler who lives in and attends a secondary institution in Maine, and who has been accepted at any accredited Title IV-eligible college or technical school. Criteria includes originality of voice and viewpoint, structure, command of language and mechanics. Applications may be submitted through email or mail. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Joseph & Dorothy Headley Scholarship
Due: 5/13/26
|No essay
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
The Joseph and Dorothy Headley Scholarship provides financial assistance for students who have been residents of Vinalhaven for at least three years who are pursuing post-secondary education. The following criteria will be used in the selection: good character, good citizenship, financial need, and ambition. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maine Community Foundation, Inc. for more information.
Key things to know about Maine scholarships
- Maine scholarships include both private awards and state aid. Students in Maine can look at local scholarships, institutional awards, and state grant programs together.
- Some of the best-known Maine opportunities are place-based. That means your town, county, island community, or high school can shape what you qualify for.
- Maine students can find scholarships for many education paths. That includes four-year colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and adult learner programs.
- You should check both statewide and local sources. Maine has strong community-based scholarship networks that can be worth the time to apply to.
- Applying early can open more doors. Some Maine programs use FAFSA® deadlines or spring application cycles, so waiting too long can cost you options.
If you’re looking for Maine scholarships, it helps to think beyond one big award. Maine students often put together college funding from state grants, private scholarships, local foundations, and school-based aid.
That work can make a real difference. Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2025 found that 75% of students who received a scholarship said it made college possible. If you're searching for Maine scholarships, it’s worth exploring both broad and targeted opportunities, including options tied to specific communities.
Enter to win a $2,000 scholarship
No essay | Apply in 2 minutes or less
What are Maine scholarships?
Maine scholarships are financial awards that help students pay for college, career training, grad school, or other approved programs. They can come from colleges, community foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and statewide organizations.
Unlike student loans, scholarship funds don’t have to be repaid. Awards may be based on things like:
- Academic achievement
- Financial need
- Community involvement
- Residency in Maine or a specific region
- Intended major or training path
- Personal background or life experience
Because Maine has many community-based and regional programs, students should look closely at local eligibility details as they search.
What scholarships are available for Maine students?
You'll find a mix of local scholarships, statewide private scholarships, institutional aid, and state grant support. Some of the strongest options in Maine are tied to public service, local roots, or a particular community.
To widen your search, you can also use Scholly Scholarships to look for scholarships by state, background, major, and no-essay options.
Mitchell Institute Scholarship
The Mitchell Institute Scholarship is one of the best-known Maine opportunities. The Mitchell Institute awards a scholarship to at least one graduating senior from every public high school in Maine, which gives the program unusually broad statewide reach. For Maine high school seniors, it’s one of the clearest examples of a scholarship that combines statewide recognition with local access.
Maine Community Foundation Scholarships
The Maine Community Foundation manages a large network of scholarship funds with different eligibility rules, regions, and focus areas. That makes it especially useful for students who want to apply once and be considered for multiple opportunities. Because the foundation’s scholarships vary so much, students should review the available funds carefully to see which ones fit their background and goals.
Mainely Character Scholarship
The Mainely Character Scholarship focuses on character traits such as responsibility, courage, concern, and integrity. It stands out because it looks beyond grades alone and asks students to show how character has shaped their actions and decisions. This can be a strong fit for students who have meaningful experiences to share, even if they are not chasing strictly merit-based awards.
Island Institute Scholarship
The Island Institute Scholarship supports students connected to Maine’s island and coastal communities. For eligible students, it can help cover postsecondary costs while recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities of island life.Because it's place-based, this scholarship is especially important for students from Maine’s year-round island communities and certain coastal areas.
College and university scholarships in Maine
Many Maine colleges also offer their own scholarships. Students should check both automatic merit aid and separate scholarship applications at the schools they’re considering.
The University of Maine, the University of Southern Maine, and Southern Maine Community College all have institution-specific scholarship opportunities that may include merit awards, foundation support, and department-based scholarships.
Local and community scholarships
Maine students should spend time on local scholarships because many are designed for smaller geographic areas and may have fewer applicants. These awards can come from local foundations, civic groups, school districts, towns, and employers.
- Community foundations
- Local civic organizations
- Employers and small businesses
- High school scholarship committees
- Regional nonprofits
Additional financial aid resources
State of Maine Grant Program
The State of Maine Grant Program is a need-based grant administered by FAME for eligible Maine undergraduate students. Because it is a state grant tied to FAFSA® filing and eligibility rules, it belongs under financial aid resources rather than traditional scholarships.
Scholly Scholarships
Find scholarships now
Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
How to apply to Maine scholarships
- Pull together key documents early, such as your transcript, activity list, resume, and a basic personal statement.
- Make a list of scholarships that fit your background, major, and goals, focusing on both statewide and local programs.
- Work through a few applications at a time so the process stays consistent but not overwhelming.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) so you can be considered for need-based scholarships, grants, and other aid. For step-by-step check our FAFSA® guide.
- Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or checklist to keep track of application requirements and deadlines.
- Read instructions carefully and double-check your application before you hit submit.
Looking for a faster way to get started? Scholly® Easy Apply lets you apply to several scholarships all at once, without starting from scratch every time.
What are the eligibility requirements for ME scholarships?
While each award is different, many Maine scholarships look at factors like these:
- Maine residency
- Enrollment in an eligible college, trade school, or training program
- FAFSA® completion for need-based aid
- Academic record or satisfactory progress
- Community involvement or leadership
- Regional, island, or local eligibility factors
How do I improve my chances of winning a scholarship?
- Look for local opportunities. Maine has many scholarships tied to specific places, so local connections can matter.
- Don’t ignore community foundation options. One application may open the door to several scholarship funds.
- Use your story well. Character- and community-based scholarships often care a lot about how you describe your impact.
- Stay organized around spring deadlines. Many Maine scholarship cycles cluster in late winter and spring.
- Complete the FAFSA® as early as possible. That matters for state grant consideration and for school-based financial aid.
More scholarship resources
Maine students can use these resources to locate scholarships that align with their major, experiences, and long-term plans.
- Scholarships by major
See scholarship options connected to your intended field of study. - Scholarships for high school seniors
Ideal if you are planning for college during your senior year of high school. - Scholarships for college students
Scholarship opportunities continue after freshman year — explore options for current undergraduates. - Scholarships for first-generation students
If you are the first in your family to attend college, these awards are designed with you in mind. - Scholarships for adults and returning learners
Find support if you are going back to school later in life or finishing a degree. - Scholarships for women
Explore scholarships that support women across a variety of majors and career paths. - LGBTQ+ scholarships
Discover scholarships that support students who identify as LGBTQ+. - STEM scholarships
Funding options for students pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math degrees. - Scholarships for graduate students
Learn about scholarships that can help reduce the cost of master’s, PhD, or professional programs. - Scholarships for minority students
Scholarship programs supporting students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. - Scholarships for Native American students
Opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students.
Your next steps
Maine students often have the best results when they combine statewide opportunities with local and institutional aid. That’s especially true in a state where community-based scholarships can play a big role in paying for school.
Build a list that includes local foundations, college scholarship pages, and state aid programs, then keep applying consistently. You can also add low-effort options like Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships and the Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship to your mix so you keep making progress while working on longer applications.
FAQs about Maine scholarships
What scholarships are available for Maine students?
Maine students can apply for statewide private scholarships, local and community scholarships, institutional scholarships, and the State of Maine Grant Program.
What is the State of Maine Grant Program?
It's a need-based state grant for eligible Maine undergraduate students and is administered by FAME.
Are there scholarships for Maine high school seniors?
Yes. Programs like the Mitchell Institute Scholarship are designed specifically for Maine high school seniors, and many local scholarships are too.
Are there scholarships for Maine trade schools?
Yes. Some scholarships and grant programs can be used at eligible career, technical, and trade-focused programs.
Do Maine scholarships require FAFSA®?
Some do and some don’t. Many need-based state and school aid programs use FAFSA® information, so it’s a good idea to file it early.
Are there scholarships for Maine island residents?
Yes. Island-focused opportunities, including Island Institute programs, can help eligible students from island communities.
When should Maine students start applying for scholarships?
Students should start early in senior year or before, and current college students should keep checking for renewal and continuing-student awards.
Are there easy or no-essay scholarships for Maine students?
Are there scholarships for adult learners in Maine?
Yes. Maine has scholarships and grant support for adult learners, including some community foundation and college-based options.
Can Maine students use scholarships at schools outside Maine?
Some private scholarships can be used out of state, but state-specific grants and some local programs may have their own school eligibility rules.
Need more money for college?
Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.