Here’s where your hard work starts to pay off—literally. We know that you’re invested in your education, and merit-based scholarships are one way of recognizing your continuing success.
To qualify for a merit-based scholarship, apply to Thomas and be accepted. There’s no additional application, and all of these awards are renewable every year you study at Thomas as long as you meet basic criteria. In addition to assistance granted with your acceptance to Thomas, we offer scholarships for new students based on select criteria—and many scholarships for students after their first years at Thomas.
You may qualify for merit-based financial aid without filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but we strongly encourage all families to file this application for need-based aid to ensure that you are eligible for all the assistance available to you. Thomas College is an NCAA Division III institution and therefore does not offer athletic scholarships of any kind.
Summa Cum Laude Scholarship: Renewable scholarships of $18,000 ($9,000 per semester) are awarded to first-time college students who meet the required GPA of 3.7 or above. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. Students who entered before fall 2020 and received $15,000 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. Students who entered before fall 2017 and received $12,000 or $13,000 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study. * Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $12,000 annually ($6,000 per semester)
Magna Cum Laude Scholarship: Renewable scholarships of $16,000 ($8,000 per semester) are awarded to first-time college students who meet the required GPA of 3.2-3.69. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students who entered before fall 2020 and received $12,500 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. Students who entered before fall 2017 and received $10,000 or $9,000 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study. * Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $9,500 annually ($4,750 per semester)
Cum Laude Scholarship: Renewable scholarships of $14,000 ($7,000 per semester) are awarded to first-time college students who meet the required GPA of 2.8-3.19. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25. Students who entered before fall 2020 and received $10,000 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. Students who entered before fall 2017 and received $7,500 or $6,500 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study. * Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $7,000 annually ($3,500 per semester)
Honoris Scholarship: Renewable scholarships of $10,000 ($5,000 per semester) are awarded to first-time college students who meet the required GPA of 2.40-2.79. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Students who entered before fall 2020 and received $8,000 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. Students who entered before fall 2017 and received $5,000 are held to the same minimum cumulative GPA and enrollment requirements. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study. * Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $5,000 annually ($2,500 per semester)
Trustee Transfer Scholarship: Renewable scholarship of $10,000 ($5,000 per semester) are awarded to transfer college students with an overall transfer GPA of 3.5 or higher and at least 12 transfer credits. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study. * Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $9,000 annually ($4,750 per semester)
Presidential Transfer Scholarship: Renewable scholarship of $7,500 ($3,750 per semester) are awarded to transfer college students with an overall transfer GPA of 3.0 to 3.49 and at least 12 transfer credits. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study. * Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $6,500 annually ($3,250 per semester)
Dean Transfer Scholarship: Renewable scholarship of $5,000 ($2,500 per semester) are awarded to transfer college students with an overall transfer GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 and at least 12 transfer credits. The Admissions Committee will review students’ information at the time of acceptance. Students who receive this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of 4 years of continuous undergraduate study.* Commuter students who meet the above requirements receive $4,000 annually ($2,000 per semester)
Guaranteed Tuition Merit Award:
After final grades have been submitted for the spring semester, Thomas College full-time students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher will be awarded a merit scholarship equal to the increase in tuition for the next academic year. This merit scholarship is in addition to any other Thomas College merit scholarship that was previously awarded.
This merit scholarship is awarded each year of full-time undergraduate attendance at Thomas College that the student earns a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher.
Students must complete two semesters of full-time study at Thomas College to be eligible for this program. (Students starting in the spring semester will not be eligible until the following year.) The scholarship is only awarded after the spring semester cumulative GPA calculations are complete.* Students accepted to Thomas College before the fall 2017 class will be grandfathered under the required 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Legacy Scholarship: Renewable scholarship of $1000 ($500 per semester) for any new student that has had a parent, sibling (step relatives included), or grandparent graduate from Thomas College. This scholarship is renewable for up to a maximum of four years of continuous undergraduate study.
Early Action Scholarship: is a $2,000 annual award for early admitted students from any state. This scholarship will replace the Dirigo Scholarship we have offered in the past. Qualifications include, a high school GPA of 2.80-3.69, and application for admission to the College and file FAFSA before December 15. No additional application or recommendation is needed to apply for this scholarship. Students awarded this scholarship upon admission will need to maintain a 2.0 overall GPA to keep receiving the Early Action Scholarship for their time at Thomas.
The review of applicants will begin after the stated application date each spring for the following fall.
John L. Thomas, Sr. Memorial Scholarships: These scholarships are in memory of John L. Thomas, Sr., founder of Thomas College. They are awarded annually to graduates in the top half of their graduating class at the following high schools: Cony, Erskine Academy, Gardiner, Hall-Dale, Lawrence, Madison, Maine Central Institute, Messalonskee, Mt. View, Nokomis, Skowhegan, Waterville, Winslow, and Winthrop. These scholarships of $1,000 per year are awarded to full-time commuting students who matriculate as first-time freshmen at Thomas College in a four-year degree program. Scholarships will be renewed each year until the student graduates from an undergraduate program of study, provided the student maintains a 2.0 GPA, commutes, and continues in a four-year program.
Graduate Merit-Based Scholarship: Domestic & International students accepted into the full-time Accelerated MBA program are automatically considered for this annual, one- time, $5,000 scholarship ($2,500 per semester). Students must have an incoming undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Scholarships for New and Current Students
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the following scholarships are available for students. To be considered for the following scholarships, a student must file the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need as determined by the Student Financial Services Office. No additional application is necessary, unless otherwise noted. All final determinations are made by the Student Financial Services Office.* Living status may affect some awards.
Agnes Lindsay Scholarship
Awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 are given to students who live in rural New England and demonstrate financial need.
Alden Trust
Awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 are given to students who live in rural New England and demonstrate financial need.
Enterprise Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need and has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
Ford Grant Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need and has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
The Francis F. Bartlett, Jr. Scholarship Fund
This scholarship will be awarded to either an incoming first-year student who is in the top half of his or her high school class or to a returning student with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
H. Allen Ryan Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to students who graduated from a Maine high school.
The Harold and Bibby Alfond Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to “promising” Maine undergraduate students with demonstrated significant financial need who might not otherwise be able to attend or return to Thomas College.
Lunder Scholarship
Awards from the Lunder Scholars Endowment Fund will be made annually as need-based financial aid grants. First preference will be given to any former Dexter Shoe Company employee and their children; second preference will be for eligible Maine residents.
Margaret Marnet Endowment
Awards from the Margaret Marnet Endowment Fund will be awarded to a well-qualified and deserving student. First preference will be made to an emancipated minor.
Morris Endowment Fund
Several awards of varying amounts are awarded to students who live in China, Maine, or the surrounding area and demonstrate financial need.
People’s Heritage Bank Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need and has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Rancourt Scholarship
First preference is given to students of French Heritage.
Scholarships for Current Students
Bingham Scholars Scholarship Endowment Fund
Several scholarships of varying amounts, with no award of less than $3,000 per year except in any year in which there is less than a total of $3,000 available for such awards, are given annually to returning students on a financial needs basis only. Recipients must be permanent residents of Maine with preference given first to residents of Bethel, Maine. Second, to residents of Oxford County, Maine. Third, to residents of the Western Mountains of Maine. Finally, to residents of other areas of Maine.
Johnson W. and Ann S. Parks Memorial Scholarships
Several scholarships of varying amounts are given annually to returning students from a bequest of Johnson W. Parks, whose wife Ann served as a trustee at Thomas College. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and financial need.
Lisa Forsley Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to a sophomore from Maine enrolled in a Thomas College education program.
Osher Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to undergraduate students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree with demonstrated significant financial need and show academic promise and commitment to obtaining a baccalaureate degree. Preference is given to first generation students who participated in EDGE at Thomas College.
Rebecca Kane Memorial ScholarshipThis scholarship has been established in memory of beloved Thomas College staff member Rebecca Kane. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who is in good academic standing, with demonstrated significant financial need and participates in Club CRU, the group that Rebecca advised. Should no Club CRU student be eligible, the scholarship will be awarded to a student regardless of Club CRU participation.
Special Education Opportunity Scholarship
In most instances, Thomas College merit scholarships and institutional financial aid (as opposed to federal and state financial aid) do not extend to students participating in special educational programs such as the Criminal Justice Academy, Washington Center for internships, L’Ecole Atalntique de Commerce, API or GlobaLinks.
In those cases where Thomas College tuition and fees exceed those charged by that alternative institution, students may qualify for a special educational opportunity scholarship up to the difference between Thomas College tuition and fees and the tuition at the alternative institution, should a difference exist. For more information, please contact the SFS office.
Treetops Scholarship
Scholarships are granted to students who will have attended for four years and graduated from Messalonskee, Waterville, Winslow, or Lawrence High School. Scholarships will be given to students demonstrating significant financial need, with first preference given to those whose parents have no college education. Students must retain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 to be eligible for and to retain this scholarship.
Current Students – Require Application
*Applications available from Student Financial Services in April of current academic year for following academic year.
Alumni Scholarship
Applicants for this scholarship must be juniors and have completed at least 90 credits at Thomas College in the bachelor’s degree program by the end of the spring semester. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. A review team consisting of Alumni Association Board members will select the scholarship winners. Applicants’ academic achievements, leadership, and service to the college are all considered.
Alpha Gamma Delta Leadership Scholarship
Full-time undergraduate students, entering their junior or senior year, may apply for this scholarship. The applicant must have a current cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This scholarship has been established by the Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity to be able to award a scholarship to a student who exemplifies the qualities of leadership and loyalty at Thomas College and exhibits initiative in helping to maintain a strong living and learning environment for all students. Applicant must demonstrate leadership ability and achievement by participating in at least two campus organizations.
Bernadean Staples Accounting Scholarship
This scholarship has been established in memory of Thomas College graduate Bernadean Staples, Class of 1930. The scholarship is awarded annually to juniors or seniors who show exceptional promise in the accounting field.
Charles P. Ryan Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been established in memory of Charlie Ryan, Class of 1977, a member of the Thomas College Athletic Hall of Fame. It is awarded annually to a student who is planning to major in Sport Management. Preference is given to a first-year student.
Faculty & Staff Scholarship
Full-time undergraduate first-year students may apply for this scholarship. The applicant must have a current cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Recipients of this scholarship will be selected by a committee of faculty and staff in consultation with the Director of Financial Aid. The Committee will consider financial need, academic performance, and the applicant’s cover letter and resume. The award will be for one year only and is not renewable.
Kathryn Colby-McInnis Award
Full-time undergraduate students may apply for this scholarship. The applicant must have a current cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Family, friends and colleagues of Kathryn Colby-McInnis, Class of 1966, have established this scholarship to be awarded annually to a student who exemplifies the qualities of skill, concern, compassion and attitude that were a hallmark of Kathryn in her career as a medical assistant. Applicants must demonstrate community service in the health field with a preference for students who plan to pursue a degree in psychology.
Dr. Nelson Madore Scholarship
Full-time undergraduate students may apply for this scholarship. The Dr. Nelson Madore Scholarship Fund has been established at Thomas College in honor of Dr. Nelson Madore who was a devoted member of the Thomas College faculty for 40 years.
Nina-Lee Warnick Memorial Award
Full-time undergraduate students, entering their junior year, may apply for this scholarship. The Nina-Lee Warnick Memorial Award is the highest non-academic honor that can come to a Thomas College undergraduate. Based entirely upon the student’s contributions of time and energy to Thomas College and the demonstration of the highest standards of citizenship in the student community, the Nina-Lee Warnick Award represents recognition by other students, by faculty, and by administrators of exceptional qualities of integrity, concern for others, and interest and leadership in campus affairs.
Salvatore Leone and Family Endowed Scholarship
Mr. Salvatore Leone, Class of 1967 and 2001 Distinguished Alumnus has established this scholarship to be awarded annually to a student planning to major in Sport Management. Preference is given to a first-year student.
Stephen Brown Memorial Scholarship
Full-time undergraduate students enrolled in a four-year program within any major may apply for this scholarship. The applicant must currently be a first-year student, sophomore, or junior with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. The recipient of this scholarship will be selected by a review team including faculty members, the Director of Financial Aid, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Director of Alumni Relations.
Student Success Grants
Thomas College undergraduate day students may apply for this scholarship. Students may apply for a Student Success Grant if all avenues of payment (FAFSA, payment plan, credit agreement, work-study deduction, PLUS loan application, Private Loan application, etc.) have been explored and the student is unable to pay their balance in order to register for courses for the coming term. Application will be reviewed by a committee consisting of, but not limited to, the Senior Director of Student Financial Services, Senior Vice President, VP of Student Success, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Registrar. Grant amounts are awarded on an individual basis.
