Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund

Name: Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund

Award Amount: Varies (up to approximately $60,000 total, renewable)

Information And Eligibility:
The Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund is a prestigious journalism scholarship administered by the Maine Community Foundation, established in 2000 through funding from the Guy P. Gannett Foundation to support Maine students pursuing careers in journalism or media. Named in honor of Guy P. Gannett — a Maine publisher and media pioneer — the scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers for students dedicated to print, broadcast, or electronic media careers, enabling them to focus on both academic excellence and meaningful contributions to the field.

This scholarship has helped educate hundreds of Maine students since its inception, with total awards exceeding several million dollars; support may be extended across undergraduate and graduate education, making it one of the state’s most significant funds for aspiring journalists. Applicants are chosen based on a combination of academic achievement, demonstrated interest in journalism, financial need, and involvement in relevant coursework or media activities. Renewability is encouraged — recipients may reapply each year to continue receiving support as they progress through their degrees, reflecting the program’s commitment to long-term educational success.

While journalism majors are the primary focus, students pursuing related fields such as communications, media studies, broadcast production, or digital reporting may also qualify, provided they demonstrate a clear commitment to a journalism-related career path. The scholarship’s flexible structure supports high school seniors entering college as well as current undergraduate, graduate, or returning student applicants who meet eligibility criteria and remain engaged in media-focused fields of study.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a graduate of a Maine high school or home-schooled in a Maine community during the last year of secondary education.
• Must plan to enroll or be enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution, including four-year colleges or universities.
• Must pursue a major in journalism or a field reasonably related to media, such as print, broadcast, or electronic communication.
• Must demonstrate financial need and academic potential.
• Interest and involvement in journalism-related coursework, student media, writing, reporting, or related activities are strongly considered.
• No minimum GPA is specified, though competitive academic performance is beneficial.

Application Requirements:

• Completed Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund application via the Maine Community Foundation portal.
• Official academic transcript.
• Documentation of financial need (such as FAFSA or similar).
• Personal statement or essays explaining career goals in journalism or related media.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, media professionals, or advisors.
• Resume or portfolio of media-related work may be requested or recommended.

Additional Details:

• Award amounts vary by year and applicant pool, and may be renewable for multiple academic years depending on continued eligibility and progress.
• The scholarship supports students at any stage of post-secondary education — from first-year undergraduates to graduate students — provided they continue to demonstrate commitment to journalism.
• Recipients have gone on to careers in newspapers, broadcast stations, online media, and other communications fields.
• The application cycle typically opens in January and closes in early May each year.

Deadline: May 1 (annual)

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