scholarships : scholarship funds

For aspiring artists, scholarship assistance can have a profound effect on their pursuit of a degree. Because of the uncertainties of earning capacity in many visual art fields, the decision to study art requires a significant personal commitment. At Maine College of Art, over 85 percent of our students receive financial aid and many of our students receive financial support from one of the college's annual or endowed scholarship funds. The vast majority of MECA's scholarship funds are awarded based on financial need. A number of awards based strictly on artistic ability are given at the annual Merit Scholarship Competition.

Endowed Scholarships can be established with a gift of $25,000 or more. The College's endowment policy allows five (5) percent of endowment funds to be spent for direct support, with the remainder of the earnings re-invested in the fund. Thus, an endowed scholarship of $25,000 generates an annual award of about $1,200. Annual Scholarship Funds can be established as well with an annual scholarship fund, the donor pledges to make yearly contributions for a term of years to ensure the on going impact of the fund. For more information about establishing an endowed or annual scholarship fund, please contact the Advancement Office at (207)775-5098 or email advancement@meca.edu

Annual Scholarships & Awards

• Alfred "Chip" Chadbourn Scholarship
  For a student with financial need and, preferably, a strong interest in painting.

• Daunis-Dunning Scholarship Award
  For a deserving student in Metalsmithing/Jewelry

• Geary's Scholarship
  Local brewer D.L. Geary, owner of Geary's Brewing, awards a $5000 scholarship for the winning design which is featured on 300,000 bottles of Geary's Summer Ale.
  
• Jonathan Burgess Stanford Memorial Scholarship
  To be given to an energetic & cheerful contributor to extracurricular or social life within the MECA community. The recipient should be well liked by students and faculty alike, someone who embodies the "spirit" of the College. The scholarship is reserved for junior or senior majors with financial need

• The Laurence & Judy Sisson Travelling Fellowship
  Grant to Florence, Italy To the third year student majoring in painting or sculpture (or graphics in the event that a student in the previously mentioned fields is not eligible) who has demonstrated through his or her skills and creative philosophy a passion and abiding kinship with the Early Renaissance and who would most benefit from the opportunity to study firsthand the great art of Florence. Provides transportation and stipend for a trip to Florence, Italy during vacation break so the student can return to classes and share his or her experience and enthusiasm with fellow students

• Maine Jewelers Association Scholarship in Metals
  Awarded at Graduation. For a graduating senior to assist in the transition from student to professional. Possible uses include the purchase of equipment, materials, business supplies and/or specialized education

• Millard C. Webber, Jr. Award
  General Scholarship

• Payson Merit Scholarships Award
  An annual competition for junior and senior students with an overall GPA of 3.0. Awarded through merit competition

• United Maine Craftsmen Award
  Generally for a third of fourth year craft student(s) who is a resident of Maine, has financial need and is in good academic standing.

• Walter Hamaker Award
  For an outstanding first-year student

If you would like to discuss the creation of a scholarship fund, please contact advancement at 207.775.5098 or email advancement@meca.edu