Academic Scholarships
Each year, Unity College awards scholarships to applicants who excel in academics, community service, leadership, or professional activities. Some scholarships require that you submit a Unity College Application for Scholarship whereas others do not require an application or are by nomination only. For those that require an application, students must submit a Unity College Application for Scholarship, an essay detailing his or her qualifications, two recommendation forms, and any additional documentation required by the stated criteria of the specific scholarship(s). (Please check the criteria carefully). When applications are required, all scholarship materials must be received by the Scholarship Committee by 5:00 PM on April 1. IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO VERIFY THAT ALL REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE BY THE APRIL 1 DEADLINE.
Entering Students
Eligibility for the following scholarships is determined based on the review of the information provided on the student’s application for admission to the college.
Academic Presidential Scholarship
Scholars are first time entering students who have graduated from high school, and have demonstrated, through a rigorous academic curriculum, superior scholastic achievement along with involvement in school activities and the local community. Presidential Scholarships are renewable for a maximum of three years for recipients who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
Academic Dean’s Scholarship
Academic Dean’s Scholarships are given annually to applicants demonstrating superior academic performance. Awards are renewable for a maximum of three years for recipients who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50.
Leadership Scholarship
All entering students are eligible to be considered for these competitive $1,000 awards. Selected entering students are nominated by the Admissions Office for consideration by the Scholarship Committee based on demonstrated leadership contributions prior to enrolling at Unity College. Exceptional dedication to a particular activity such as community service, athletics, school spirit, academic leadership, clubs, organizations, and other co-curricular activities will be considered. Awards are renewable for three additional years, based on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
Bingham Scholarships
Bingham Scholars are first-time entering students from Maine who have demonstrated, through a rigorous academic curriculum, superior scholastic achievement along with involvement in school activities and the local community. This award is made available through the generosity of The Betterment Fund, which was created by the will of William Bingham II. Awards may be renewed for a maximum of three years for recipients who maintain a cumulative average of 3.00.
William Randolph Hearst Foundation Scholarships
Hearst scholarships provide access and opportunity to underrepresented, low-income, and minority student populations that have shown, through a rigorous academic curriculum, superior scholastic achievement along with involvement in school activities and the local community. Funding for the Hearst Foundation Scholarships is made possible through a generous endowment from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Awards may be renewed for a maximum of three years for recipients who maintain a cumulative average of 3.00.
Environmental Action Scholarship
A limited number of awards are given annually to high school applicants who are attending college for the first time. These broad-based awards range up to $1,000 and are based on experiential rather than academic achievement. Recipients are selected at the time of admissions decision to the college. Selection is based on active, action-oriented, “hands-on” involvement in the environment and serious commitment to becoming the future stewards of America’s natural resources.
Because there is a limited number of these competitive awards, applicants are strongly urged to submit supporting documentation (newspaper articles, certificates, additional letters, etc.) at the time they apply for admission to the college. Supporting documentation might include evidence of such things as commitment to teaching others about the environment and the problems that confront it, interest in environmental protection and pollution, or active participation in conservation organizations, outdoor education/recreation programs, or school environment-based clubs and projects. Awards are renewable for three additional years, based on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
George E. Constable Scholarship
Through the generosity of George E. Constable a fund equal to one half of Unity College’s tuition is made available each year to award scholarships to deserving students. Students who are Maine residents and are majoring in Forestry or Wildlife may be considered.
Challenge Scholarship
A limited number of awards may be given annually to high school applicants who have overcome adversity and disadvantage to succeed in high school. These awards range up to $1000. Eligibility requires demonstrated academic improvement and achievement in spite of one or more significant obstacles such as serious illness, physical handicap, or learning disability. Problems encountered and successful efforts to overcome them should be documented with supporting letters from school officials and, if appropriate, other professionals such as physicians, tutors, rehabilitation workers, and/or counselors. These materials should be submitted at the time of application for admission to the college. Awards are renewable for three additional years, based on satisfactory academic performance.
Unity Access Scholarship for Maine Students - NEW FOR FALL 2008
The Unity Access Scholarship for Maine Students is awarded to incoming first year students who were born in Maine. The amount of the award is $ 2,000 and is renewable for an additional three years. It is also awarded to incoming transfer students who were born in Maine and is renewable. Students must apply for financial aid in order to be awarded the Unity Access Scholarship. To learn more click here.
Unity College Legacy Scholarship
Legacy scholarships are awarded to incoming students who have had a parent or grandparent attend Unity College. The Legacy Scholarship award amount is $1,000. Awards are renewable for three additional years, based on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
Transfer Scholarship
Transfer scholarships are given annually to applicants transferring to Unity College who have demonstrated superior academic performance at their previous educational institution. A minimum of 12 college credits completed is required to be considered for the Transfer Scholarship. Transfer Scholarship awards are renewable for a maximum of three years for recipients who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0.
Bert and Coral Clifford Scholarship
Scholarship(s) are given annually to outstanding entering students from the State of Maine who have demonstrated high financial need.
Mount View High School Scholarship
Two half-tuition awards are given annually to applicants who are Mount View High School graduates. The applicants must be members of the current graduating class. Eligibility requires graduation with a class standing in the top 50% and a letter of recommendation from the principal. Award(s) may be renewable for a maximum of three years. Receipt of this award excludes eligibility for other academic awards (such as presidential scholarships etc.)
Native American Scholarship
Up to $1,000 in award(s) may be given annually to Native American applicants who provide official documentation verifying Native American status. Awards may be renewable for a maximum of three years, based upon maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
The specific amounts of the individual scholarships and the criteria for those scholarships are determined each year by the scholarship committee. Final scholarship decisions are determined by the scholarship committee.
Returing Students
When required, scholarship application materials for RETURNING students must be obtained from and returned to:
Scholarship Advisory Committee
c/o Financial Aid Office: Rand Newell
Unity College
90 Quaker Hill Road
Unity, ME 04988
(207) 948-3131. ext 201 FAX: (207) 948-6277
Academic Scholarships
To apply for the following scholarships, returning students must submit a Unity College Application for Scholarship, two recommendation forms, application essay, and any additional supporting documentation required by the stated criteria of the specific scholarship for which they are applying. The application deadline is 5:00 PM, April 1.
George E. Constable Scholarship
Through the generosity, of George E. Constable a fund equal to one half of Unity College’s tuition is made available each year to award scholarships to deserving applicants. Students who are Maine residents and are majoring in Forestry or Wildlife may apply.
Trout Unlimited Scholarship
A $600 award is given annually to an applicant who is a Unity College junior or senior majoring in Fisheries. Eligibility requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50, demonstrated financial need, and Maine residency.
Grace B. Simmons Scholarship
A $100 award is given annually in honor of a local educator, Grace B. Simmons, to an applicant who demonstrates superior ability in mathematics.
Penobscot County Conservation Association
Penobscot County Conservation Association has made ten $1,000 scholarships available annually to current students who are majoring in Wildlife or Conservation Law Enforcement. Selection will be based on the following criteria: A strong demonstration of academic ability in the above mentioned fields and an intent to pursue a career in Wildlife or Conservation Law Enforcement, are the basis for this award. Each scholarship will honor a member of the Penobscot County Conservation Association and contributors.
Allison Hall Scholarship
A $1,500 award is given annually to an upper-class applicant who has shown perseverance in overcoming adversity in pursuit of his or her education at Unity College.
David M. Purdy Scholarship
Three $1,000 awards are given annually to current students who have demonstrated significant civic involvement for the betterment of the community, campus and/or beyond. Documented evidence and/or recognition of citizenship, community involvement, and stewardship would be considered. Eligibility required a minimum grade point average of 2.00.
Faculty and Staff Stewardship Scholarship
A $1000 award is given annually to an upper-class applicant who has demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship and who has maintained a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Eligibility criteria include stewardship demonstrated through an internship, independent study, service learning project or environmental action taken outside or within the campus community. Environmental actions may include hands-on projects, advocacy, education, research, or legislative work.
Non-Traditional Student
Community Service Scholarship
A $1000 award is given annually to an applicant who has shown a commitment to community service and who is considered non-traditional based on age (minimum of age 24), and previous self support (full-time employment). Eligibility criteria include demonstrated financial need and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for current students. Preference given to students majoring in Social Sciences -- Environmental Education, Environmental Policy, Park Management, Self-Designed, as well as major in Environmental Studies, Environmental Biology, Aquaculture, Ecology, Fisheries, Forestry, Urban and Community Forestry, Wildlife, and Environmental Analysis.
Eligibility for the following scholarship is determined based on nomination from a member of the Unity College community. Nomination forms have been made available in various departments on campus, or can be picked up at the financial aid office.
Leadership Scholarship
Full-time students in good academic standing are eligible to be nominated. Awards of $1,000 are given upon evaluation of demonstrated leadership contributions to the college and the morale of the student body as demonstrated by the nominee’s willingness to help where a need is perceived. Exceptional dedications to a particular activity, such as community service, athletics, student life, academic leadership, clubs, organizations and other co-curricular activities should be considered. These competitive awards are based upon review of each nominee’s leadership achievement. Eligibility is by nomination only.
Scholarship Funding Acknowledgments
Scholarships for Maine students, who have attained superior scholastic achievement, are made available through the generosity of The Betterment Fund which was created by the will of William Bingham II.
The Trout Unlimited Scholarship is made available through the generosity of the Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
The families of the graduating class and other individual donors also contribute to the scholarships for Unity College students.