Worthington Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Worthington Scholarship Foundation

Description

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation supports Maine students by awarding need- and merit-based scholarships to graduates from partner public high schools who plan to attend participating colleges in Maine. Selection emphasizes financial need, academic merit, and representation across the partner high school network; applicants’ essays and life experiences are also considered. The program is designed to make postsecondary education more affordable and to encourage a diverse group of students to pursue certificates, associate’s, or bachelor’s degrees.

- Purpose: provide need- and merit-based aid to Maine students
- Selection factors: financial need, merit, essays, and representation
- Eligible awards support certificates, associate’s, and bachelor’s programs

Eligibility

**Residency & School**
Applicants must be Maine residents and graduating seniors from a Worthington Scholarship Foundation (WSF) partner public high school. The scholarship is reserved for students who plan to enroll at a participating Maine college or university.

**Financial & Academic Criteria**
An applicant’s FAFSA-derived Student Aid Index (SAI) must be 30,000 or less. High school GPA requirements differ by track: a B- (or higher) for four-year scholarships and a C- (or higher) for community college scholarships.

**Enrollment Timing**
Applicants must plan to enroll full-time at a WSF partner college in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.

Key takeaways:
- Must be a Maine resident and graduate of a WSF partner high school
- SAI must be 30,000 or less (FAFSA-derived)
- GPA thresholds: B-+ for 4-year, C-+ for community college
- Full-time fall enrollment at a partner college is required

Award Value

**Maximum Award**
Individual awards can total up to $20,000 over the course of a scholar’s participation in the program.

**Semester Disbursement**
For students at four-year institutions, awards are paid up to $2,500 per semester. Community college scholars receive up to $1,500 per semester.

**Transfer Option**
Community college recipients may transfer to a four-year institution and continue under the program’s award structure, subject to the Foundation’s policies.

Key takeaways:
- Total award cap: up to $20,000
- Four-year college: up to $2,500 per semester
- Community college: up to $1,500 per semester
- Transfer from community college to a four-year school is supported

Application Process

**FAFSA Filing**
Begin by completing the FAFSA; the Foundation uses the FAFSA to determine the Student Aid Index used in eligibility decisions.

**College Acceptance**
You must be accepted to one of the Foundation’s partner two- or four-year colleges to be eligible to receive an award.

**Online Application**
Submit the Worthington Scholarship application through the Foundation’s online portal before the application period closes. The portal includes brief eligibility questions and prompts about your background and essays.

**What to Prepare**
Gather documents and information commonly used in college applications—FAFSA results, transcripts, acceptance letters, and personal essays—to make the online application straightforward.

Key takeaways:
- File the FAFSA early (SAI is used for eligibility)
- Acceptance to a partner college is required before awarding
- Apply via the online portal and complete eligibility questions and essays
- Prepare standard college-application materials in advance

Notification & Next Steps

**Award Notification**
Finalists and award recipients are notified at their high school’s award night or graduation ceremony. The Foundation communicates selection through those local events rather than individual mailings.

**Accepting the Award**
Selected students must confirm enrollment at their partner college to receive funds. After acceptance, scholars must meet the Foundation’s semester-by-semester requirements to maintain funding.

**Ongoing Requirements**
Continued receipt of scholarship funds depends on meeting the Foundation’s academic and enrollment conditions each semester; details and monitoring processes are provided to recipients after award notification.

Key takeaways:
- Recipients are announced at award night or graduation
- Award acceptance requires confirming enrollment at a partner college
- Continued funding requires meeting semester-based requirements

For more details about partner schools, exact application dates, or specific semester requirements, consult the Worthington Scholarship Foundation’s website or the online application portal.