MAINE RURAL REHABILITATION FUND SCHOLARSHIP 2014-2015 The Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund holds funds remaining from a federal grant made to the State of Maine. Interest income from this fund is available to the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry to use in keeping with the original intent of the grant. The Commissioner has determined these funds may be used to provide educational grants to Maine students seeking an agricultural education. APPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED Requirements of Eligibility 1. The applicant must reside in the State of Maine; 2. The applicant must be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, by a University or College offering an agricultural degree; 3. An applicant enrolled in a post-secondary educational program must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7, or greater, or have a minimum GPA of 3.0, or greater, for the most recent semester or quarter; 4. An applicant must demonstrate that an unmet financial need exists that must be overcome to pursue a higher education; and 5. The applicant must be enrolled in a full-time course load leading to a two-year, four-year or an advanced degree in agriculture. *Eligible programs include: Agricultural Business Agricultural Engineering Plant Science Sustainable Agriculture Animal Science Soil Science *Students in a non-agricultural course of study need to persuasively indicate on the Autobiography page how the selected course of study relates to a career in agriculture. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Complete all of the applicable forms in the application package. All forms must be typed. 2. If the applicant is a high school student attending a university or college for the first time, or if the applicant is a university/college student attending a new school, a letter or affidavit confirming acceptance must be attached to the application. 3. Personal & Family Information (Page 3 of the application packet). If you are, or have been living independently, please complete Section I & Section II. All applicants must complete Section II. 4. The Autobiography (Page 4 of the application packet) is the applicant s opportunity to let the Selection Committee know why you seek an agricultural education and how your educational goals relate to your career plans. It is also
the applicant s best opportunity to provide the Committee with insights about your beliefs, interests, special aptitudes, hobbies, experiences, accomplishments, family history and impediments to achieving future plans. The Autobiography provides an opportunity to elaborate on, or explain any information elsewhere on the application, for example, if the applicant has selected a non-agricultural course of study, this section offers the opportunity to explain how your course of study relates to an agricultural career. Additional sheets may be used. 5. Student Financial Aid Information (Page 4 of the application packet) Complete and sign Items 1 through 4, then forward the form to your Financial Aid Office. This form provides permission for the Financial Aid Office to release specific information to the Scholarship Committee. 6. If the applicant is applying as a high school senior, a copy of the high school transcript (academic record) including class rank and grades from final term should be attached to the application. If the applicant is applying as a college or university student, a college transcript or academic record including grades from the most recent semester should be attached to the application. 7. The application must be returned to: Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship Attention: Melissa Ricker, 28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0028, no later than the close of business (5:00pm) on April 15, 2014. Applications sent by mail will be accepted if postmarked on or before April 15, 2013. For more information contact Melissa Ricker at (207) 287-7628 or e-mail: melissa.a.ricker@maine.gov 2
Submit No Later Than the Close of Business Monday April 15, 2014. Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL AID 2014-2015 Mail To: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship 28 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0028 Attn: Melissa Ricker First Name: Middle Name: Last Name: Age: SS#: Home Phone: School: School Phone: Major: School Financial Aid Office (Where check should be sent): Permanent Home Address: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: U.S Citizen: YES NO Permanent Maine Resident: YES NO Secondary School(s) Attended: Honors, Prizes, Scholarship (Amount): Year of Graduation: Major School Activities: Note: If applying as a high school senior, provide a copy of your high school transcript. If applying as a currently enrolled college or university student, provide a transcript including grades and cumulative grade point average or grade point average for the last semester or quarter. Include any academic distinctions, honors or prizes. Extracurricular Activities (Include student organizations, athletics, etc.) 3
Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship 2014-2015 PERSONAL & FAMILY INFOMRATION Please Type: SECTION I Applicant s Name: Home Address (Street, City, State, Zip): Name of Spouse: University/College: University Address (Office where check is to be sent; not your living quarters): Course of Study: Applicant s Phone Number: Father s Name: Mother s Name: SECTION II Number at school where applicant can be reached: Occupation: Occupation: Please list the name, relationship and age of other living in the applicant s home: Name: Relationship: Age: Additional details of your family situation (include unusual circumstances, expenses or other pertinent information). 4
Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship 2014-2015 AUTOBIOGRAPHY Please Type: Use this and additional pages to explain your career choice, the impact agriculture has had on your life and how your course of study relates to your career plans. Provide any biographical information that will help the Selection Committee understand why you should receive an educational grant. Signature: 5
Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship 2014-2015 STUDENT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION INSTRUCTIONS: Applicants must complete and sign Items in Student Information Section below and forward to the school s Financial Aid Office for completion. Please type: STUDENT INFORMATION SECTION (PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN THIS SECTION) Student Name: Social Security Number: Home Telephone Number: I,, give the Financial Aid Office at (Name of School) permission to provide the following information to the Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship Selection Committee. PLEASE FORWARD THIS SECTION TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFICE 2014-2015 COST OF EDUCATION (BUDGET) Parents Contribution: Student s Expected Summer Earnings: Pell Grant: Institutional Educational Grant Other Scholarships Students Contribution: ORIGINAL NEED: Supplemental Educational Grant Work Study Perkins/Institutional Loan 2014-2015 UNMET NEED: BEFORE FEDERAL STAFFORD/DIRECT Aggregate Accumulated Loans (Exclude Upcoming Year): Perkins: Other: Signature of Financial Aid Officer: Date: PLEASE RETURN FORMS TO: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Maine Rural Rehabilitation Fund Scholarship 28 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0028 Attn: Melissa Ricker If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Ricker at (207)287-7628 or email: melissa.a.ricker@maine.gov 6