Six Assumptions We Begin With:

•We should care about the future of the state of Maine and we should take action on it today.

•Knowledge and education, more than anything else, will determine the health of Maine's future and its economy.

•Increasing the number of Maine students who productively continue their education beyond high school will be good for their future and for Maine's health and economy.

•The quality of their post-secondary educational experience will determine its value to the student and to Maine's future.

•Information and knowledge in the hands and minds of Maine students and families and communities will help them make the best decisions about their future, their community's future, and the future of this state.

•Equal statewide access to, and creating a demand for, important information and advice on the opportunity of higher education (and for higher education itself) is a complex, reasonable, attainable, and worthy goal for this state.


1. College Aspirations Workshops

Expand elementary, middle, high school, and parent workshops on the opportunity of college.

History: Have reached over 30,000 students since 1997.

        2. $100 College Scholarships

Increase the number of scholarships awarded to elementary and middle school students at participating schools.

History: Over 1000 scholarships have been awarded since 1998.

        3. Maine College Advisor Weekly

Expand distribution of this almost weekly newsletter on college opportunity distributed to schools, students, parents, libraries, scholarship sponsors, and newspapers.

History: Distributed to over 250 school counselors, schools, students, newspapers, and communities almost every week since 2000.

        4. Maine College Advisor 2010

Expand distribution of this  230+ page, copyable, resource on college, college selection, college admissions, and college finance.

History: Distributed in Maine to 50+ schools in 2009.

        5. College Crosswords

To boost knowledge of and communication about opportunities in higher education among elementary and middle school students, schools, parents, and the community.

History: Distributed to schools in Maine since 2009.

        6. College Posters

390 Great Colleges for Maine Students, 222 Great College Majors for Maine Students, 476 Careers for Maine Students, College Rules!, College Aspirations Registry

History: Now posted in over 100 elementary, middle, and high schools in Maine

        7. Early College Finder

College lists for Maine students sorted by strong majors

History: Roughly 1000 copies distributed to students since 2004.

        8. College Aspirations Libraries

For elementary schools, supplied by high schools

History: Begun in 2006.

        9. Annual College Visit

For scholarship recipients

        10. College Knowledge Bowl

Annual, regional, college knowledge competition for elementary school students