Onward Program Receives Student Scholarship Funding
Contact: Alan Parks, 581-2320
ORONO — The University of Maine’s Onward Program to help at-risk, first-generation and non-traditional college students get extra support as they begin their post-secondary academic careers, has received funding to create two new student scholarships.
Maine Community Foundation (MCF), through the Thomas W. Musgrave and Beulah Long Musgrave Scholarship Fund, has created a $10,000 per year student scholarship for three years. Combined with a second MCF “Earn It” scholarship of $10,000 for three years, MCF support will provide a total of $60,000 for eligible students who have just begun college and those who have completed the Onward Program and are in their major program of study.
Getting started in college is a challenge for most students, but if it has been years since an individual has been in a classroom and are just starting college, the experience can be overwhelming, says Alan Parks, Onward director. Adding the pressures of having a family, a home to take care of, leaving a job and paying for college can be both intimidating and discouraging. These are challenges that Onward Program students face every day of their college careers.
The scholarships are an incentive to help Onward students take the risk, start college, and deal with the challenges, according to Parks. They are awarded to successful students at the start of their second semester to help with the increasing loan debt that Onward students incur as they advance through the university. The scholarships are intended to help Maine adult learners who demonstrate financial need, good character and a seriousness of purpose with respect to their education.
“MCF’s past support has assisted many Onward students to succeed and graduate,” Parks says. “With the help of the Musgrave Fund, many more students will meet their challenges and find success.”