Maine College Circle, Chapters 1 - 3

Chapter 1 (1992-1998): Better and equal access to information on the opportunity of higher education
Maine College Circle talked with high school student groups throughout the state about the opportunity of higher education, specific colleges, and college admissions. Wrote the weekly Maine College Advisor Weekly newsletter sent to over 100 school counselors and teachers. Provided workshops on financial aid throughout Maine. Advised Upward Bound students. Coordinated “Enterprise Projects” to provide high school students with real, workplace-based problem-solving opportunities, working with professionals, to develop essential and transferable professional skills.

Chapter 2 (1998-2030): To inform and inspire early aspirations . . . to empower the youth of rural Maine . . . to build a brighter future for themselves . . . and for their community.
Talked with over 65,000 rural Maine students, primarily grades 3 - 6, at 156 Maine elementary and middle schools, to help them explore their educational and career opportunities, and the pathway to reach their evolving aspirations. Received Aspirations Scholarship applications from roughly 25,000 students. Awarded over 6,000 Aspirations Scholarships to celebrate students’ aspirations and to inspire them to pursue their aspirations further.

Chapter 3 (2026 and beyond): Enterprise Scholarships. Maine College Circle will continue its support for Aspirations Workshops and Scholarships and Fairs through 2030 and hopes that they will continue well beyond 2030. Until 2030, we will work with interested schools and communities to provide our customary support and to transition to local leadership. Additionally, we will provide $2,500 scholarships to one or two interested and responsible past Future of Maine Scholarship recipients in middle school or early high school in each community who will help schedule workshops, coordinate interviews with high school and college students and professionals, and coordinate scholarship review and celebration. These students will do this with the guidance of several adults in the community and from Maine College Circle.

Beginning in 2026 and continuing after 2030, past Future of Maine Aspirations Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to apply for “Enterprise Scholarships” which encourage students to continue on a pathway toward their evolving aspirations. Information about these scholarships can be found on the Maine College Circle website at www.mainecollegecircle.org/enterprise


Enterprise Scholarships

Past Future of Maine Aspirations Scholarship recipients between grades 6 and 12 can complete up to three projects per year sequentially.

Project 1: Skills and traits you have and need. State your aspirations. Which scholarship you are applying for. Research and interview professionals about the skills and traits needed, then interview friends, parents, educators, community members about whether they think you have those skills and traits, which ones you need to develop, and how you can develop them.
Project 2: Your values. A random major. Research a random college major assigned to you by Maine College Circle. It may or may not be of interest to you. Research what and where the major is, what careers it can lead to, where these careers are, and why this major and these careers would or wouldn’t be good for you.
Project 3: The Future. What is the future of the career that interests you? How will it change? How will the skills needed to be successful in the career change? Research and interview.
Project 4: The Pathway. Research and interview. What education, post high-school education, and other preparation will be important for this career that interests you? What, specifically, seem to be your best educational opportunities?
Project 5: Your Enterprise Plan. What? Where? When? How? Why? Develop this plan with an Enterprise Mentor.
Project 6: Your Enterprise Project for Your Future

$250-$500 Aspirations Scholarship for successful completion of each sequential project. An additional $2500 Aspirations Scholarship for successful completion of all six projects.
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Wolfberg Health Science Enterprise Scholarship
Martindell Teaching Enterprise Scholarship
Sterling Construction Enterprise Scholarship, (construction, engineering, architecture, etc.)
Chandler Ocean Enterprise Scholarship, (marine science, marine biuology, lobstering, fishing, aquaculture, marine patrol, marine transport, etc.)


Natural Resources Enterprise Scholarship (environment, natural resource management, agriculture, forestry, etc.)
Public & Civil Service Enterprise Scholarship (military, public safety, government, etc.)
Business & Innovation Enterprise Scholarship