Q. How do I know if my college is a "Participating Institution"?

A. Any Maine college or university that is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges is a participating institution. This includes public and private, two-year and four-year institutions.

Q. Who is eligible for a scholarship?

A. To be eligible, a student must:

• Have served in Iraq or Afghanistan in the post-September 11, 2001 conflicts;

• Be currently serving in the U.S. Military, the National Guard, or Reserves, or have been honorably discharged;

• Have been a Maine resident prior to serving in either conflict;

• Be enrolled or accepted in a credit course or program at a regionally accredited Maine higher education institution; and

• Show proof of military service (DD 214 or other official military documentation).

back to top

Q. How does a student apply for the scholarship?

A. You will need to assist the student by:
• Completing a brief online form, which can be found at www.boulosscholarship.me.edu/application.html;

• Verifying student’s eligibility (DD 214 or other official military document that states that the student served in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001); and

• Verifying enrollment or acceptance.

Once the electronic application form has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the Maine Community College System. Marcia Schools at mschools@mccs.me.edu will e-mail confirmation back to you and the student confirming that the student has been awarded a scholarship, and stating the amount of the award.

back to top

Q. How will the scholarship be awarded?

A. The college will credit the scholarship award for each semester to the student’s account. After the add/drop period, the college will bill the Maine Community College System (MCCS) for the amount awarded for that semester for all approved students.

Once a student has been initially approved, for all subsequent semesters, the college will need to place the student’s name and the amount awarded for that semester on a master bill and send it to the MCCS for payment. From the date of the initial award, the student will have four years to use the full scholarship (based on the current MCCS tuition rate).

Q. How will colleges be able to determine the amount of scholarship funds that remain on account for each student, and who do I contact at the MCCS if I have questions on billing?

A. You may contact Marcia Schools at any time to receive information on a student’s scholarship balance, or if you have any questions concerning billing. Ms. Schools can be reached at 629-4000 or by email at mschools@mccs.me.edu.

back to top

Q. Who will be notified at the college of the student’s eligibility?

A. The College Official who completed the student’s application, and the student, will receive notification of the award.

Q. Is the Boulos Scholarship to be used only for tuition?

A. No. The scholarship can be used for other costs such as fees, books, supplies, room & board, and general student support.

Q. Who do I contact if I have a scholarship eligibility question about a particular student, or if I have a question not covered by this Q & A section?

A. You may contact Marcia Schools on specific questions relating to the Boulos Family Scholarship at 629-4000 or by email at mschools@mccs.me.edu.

back to top

Q. Can a student enroll at multiple colleges during a semester?

A. Yes. Each college will receive payment for the credit hours taken based on the payment schedule.

Q. Will the student lose their scholarship award if they stop attending college for a semester?

A. No. However, if the student decides not to attend for a semester (summer sessions excluded), in order for their scholarship account to remain active for the four-year period stated on the award confirmation, the student must enroll in the semester immediately following (i.e. the following fall or spring semester, whichever comes first). Failure to do so will result in termination of the scholarship. If the scholarship is terminated, the student may reapply by initiating a new application and, if funds are available, the student will receive an award equal to the amount that would have been remaining in his/her initial scholarship account.

Q. Will the student lose their scholarship if they change colleges?

A. No. The student will need to inform their new college representative of the scholarship award in order for the college to appropriately bill the MCCS.

back to top