WORTHINGTON SCHOLARSHIP 4 – Year College Guidelines for Administration Purpose: The purpose of this fund is to benefit graduates of specific Maine high schools. Administration and Eligibility Criteria The Worthington Scholarship will be administered by the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) in partnership with area high schools. The fund contact will be the Superintendent of School or the Business Office. The new recipient application and selection process will be handled by high school scholarship committees, under the oversight of the guidance offices and MaineCF. The renewal selection process will be handled by MaineCF. The contacts at MaineCF will be the Scholarship Manager and the Director of Educational Initiatives. MaineCF will hold the assets and send the high schools a recommendation form each year with a budget for new awards. High schools will make selections and return the form by June. Copies of recipient applications, to include the Student Aid Report and Financial Aid Award Letter, will be provided to the Worthington Scholarship Foundation (WSF). MaineCF will then send a Terms of Award letter to each recipient (new and renewal) that must be signed and returned before payment of an award can be scheduled. New scholarship awards will be made each year based on merit using the following criteria: 1. Eligible students will: ● Have a cumulative average of “B” or higher (as defined locally) and plan to attend any campus of the University of Maine College System, Maine Maritime Academy, Colby College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Husson University, or Thomas College. ● Have completed the FAFSA and have a Federal Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less. 2. Students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study. 3. Once selected, establish and use a free GradSnapp account to communicate with the WSF, as required. Participating high schools may make the following number of awards for their 2019 graduating classes: Belfast Area High School – 22 Mount View High School – 18 Camden Hills Regional High School – 22 Oceanside High School – 22 Medomak Valley – 22 Searsport District High School – 8 This award is renewable for the duration of an accredited four-year program. An exception that allows for funds towards Graduate school is described under number 5, here, below. Criteria and process: 1. To be eligible for renewal, students must be enrolled in a full time course of study. 2. To be eligible for renewal, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater and continue in their degree program. If a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.0, they should still apply for renewal and communicate with their WSF advisor. Page 2/Four Year College Guidelines for Administration 3. Renewal applicants must apply online, providing a letter outlining their previous year of study and their current academic program as well as a current transcript through the application portal maintained by MaineCF by the deadline each year. MaineCF will authorize continuation of the award based on the applicant meeting the criteria of the scholarship. 4. For the purposes of student tracking and advising, recipient information will be shared with the Worthington Scholarship Foundation and donors. 5. Graduate Active Status: Students who enter college with significant college credits and/or matriculate in an accelerated program may complete their degrees without using all 8 appropriated semesters. Any semesters that have not been needed by such a scholar to complete their undergraduate degree may be applied to full time graduate studies at a participating Institute of Higher Education. Such students have graduate active status. The 6-year duration applies. [Example: Thomas College offers a 4-year master’s degree in which students take higher course loads every semester.] Award Administration 1. Scholarship awards will be up to $4,000 per year and will continue through the duration of an accredited four-year degree program. 2. The default payment schedule will split the award equally between the fall and spring semesters. Recipients must notify the Maine Community Foundation if they would like their payment schedule altered. 3. MaineCF will pay awards directly to a recipient’s college or university 4. Deferments may be approved for a semester for reasons or medical, financial, or family difficulties. However, awards will only be renewed for a maximum of eight semesters over a six-year time period. 5. The Worthington Scholarship will require the students to communicate periodically with an advisor from the Worthington Scholarship Foundation throughout the course of their college career. This advisor is intended to assist students with their transition to college and provide a variety of assistance as needed throughout the renewal period. By accepting your scholarship award, you permit the Maine Community Foundation to share information from your application with the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, including your contact information. .