JUNIOR – SENIOR BULLETIN

May 6, 2008



OPEN HOUSES



Bates College (Maine Day), Friday, May 16



MILITARY ACADEMY SEMINAR for students and parents interested in the application process for U.S. Military at West Point, Naval, Air Force and Merchant Marine Academies, as well as private military colleges and the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs will be held at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Bangor on Tuesday, May 13th at 6:00 p.m.  Any interested students should see guidance for more information



FAFSA ALERT

When filling out the FAFSA application, there is a section that asks the student about the courses he or she has taken in high school.  It is optional but DO NOT SKIP THIS PART!

When answering these questions, almost all LHS seniors will fit into one or more of the options listed.  These indicate that the student is graduating with what the federal government calls a rigorous schedule and the student is therefore eligible for an Academic Competitiveness Grant.

Last year, 1700 Maine seniors were awarded $786,000 in grants.

If the federal government decides the teen’s family has significant need, they will tell the colleges to include a Pell Grant and an Academic Competitiveness Grant in the financial aid package.  Freshman year, grants can go up to &750, sophomore year, up to $1300.

If families have already completed their FAFSA using the 2006 tax information, once they get back their SAR (Student Aid Report), they can make changes.  When they enter the 2007 information, they can answer the questions they previously skipped about the student’s schedule.



OPORTUNITY MAINE  is a tax credit program for students who go to college in Maine and live in Maine after college.  Go to www.opportunitymaine.org or your college financial aid office to obtain more information or to sign up.



Any senior interested in ARMY ROTC and planning on attending a college or university in Maine next year, please see guidance for more information.  Recently the ROTC enrollment officer has been given an additional eight scholarships



SCHOLARSHIPS



Maine Educational Loan Authority (mela.net) is awarding four scholarships in July for $2,500.  Current undergraduates and high school seniors planning to attend college in the fall are eligible.  Visit www.mela.net to enter to win one of four $2,500 scholarships.



Nelnet will award $1 million in scholarships including ten grand prizes of $25,000 and 750 $1,000 scholarships to help pay for undergraduate college costs.  Every junior and senior at least 16 years old has a shot at winning.  Enter by filling out the online entry form at www.nelnet.com/win.  Students can enter daily to increase their chances of winning. Drawings are held monthly starting November 9, 2007 through August 8, 2008.



AnyCollege.com is a college search engine that lists over 5,500 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. Students may search for a college by program, school type, location or athletic interest. With the student's interest in mind, the website is free for everyone to use and requires no registration. Students may also sign up to win a $2,000 scholarship, awarded four times each year. Deadlines are March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st of each year. Go to www.anycollege.com and click on “Win a Scholarship” to sign up to win.



Lawrence High School Band Boosters Scholarship applications are available in guidance.  Student must have been a member of the Lawrence High School Band (Concert, Marching, Color Guard or Pit Crew).  They will be awarding two $250 scholarships.  Deadline is May 1st.



Waterville Rotary Club has $1,000 scholarship for one student from each of the area schools.  Applicant needs to have at least a B average, participated in community service and demonstrate financial need.  Deadline is May 9th.



Sappi Somerset is offering a $500 scholarship to a student that has been accepted to a two or four year college.  Applicant must demonstrate financial need and have at least a B average during high school.  Applications are due in to guidance by May 9th



The Waterville Women’s Association has scholarships for women who are residents of Waterville, Fairfield, Winslow or Oakland and plan to pursue post-secondary education in Maine in the next academic year.  Deadline is May 10th.



FAME – Educators for Maine Program has a $3,000 scholarship.  Student must be majoring in education.  Application information is available at www.famemaine.com.  Deadline is May 15th



Carlstrom Family Scholarship and Literacy Fund has a one time $1,000 award for a student graduating from a Maine High School who is planning a career in education.  Applicants will be judged on their essay and educational merit.  More information can be found at www.carlstromfund.org/apply/.  Deadline is May 18th.



Maine Sports Legends scholar/athlete committee is seeking nominations for eight scholarship recipients, one male and one female, in each of four geographic areas of the state.  The scholar/athlete applicants shall demonstrate athletic ability plus scholarship, leadership, character and community service.  See guidance for more information.  Deadline is May 20th.



Kennebec Federal Savings has a $500 scholarship for a senior from Lawrence, Messalonskee, Waterville or Winslow High School.  Students must be accepted in a full time program from either a two or four year Business, Finance or Economics Degree at a New England College.  Deadline is May 23rd.



Big Sun Organization is proud to be able to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits by offering a $500 scholarship.  The successful applicant will be a high school senior or be attending a post secondary institute and currently involved in some sport at that institution.  Visit website to apply http://www.bigsunathletics.com to apply.  Deadline is June 20th.



The Portland Sea Dogs are proud to announce the fourth annual “NextGen Field of Dreams Scholarship” for three deserving students.  Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded; one to each of the following grade level groups:  K-5, 6-8 and 9-12.   The goal of the Sea Dogs Scholarship Program is to inspire all students to go to college.  Those interested in participating will need to write an essay.  Deadline is June 20th.  See guidance for more information.



Dale H. Caverly Scholarship is for a Maine student pursuing studies in agriculture, related technologies or those who promote the tradition, benefits and continuance of agriculture through their chosen field.



 Maine State Nurses Association is offering three $1,000 scholarships to Maine residents who will be attending an accredited nursing program in Maine. These scholarships will be awarded in the following areas: Northern Maine, Southern Maine and Eastern Maine.  Deadline is July 1st for the fall semester.