Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Maine Community Foundation

Description
**Purpose**
The Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund provides renewable financial support to Maine students pursuing journalism or closely related fields across print, broadcast, and electronic media. It is administered through the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) and is intended to enable students to develop as journalists by helping cover tuition and related educational expenses. The award emphasizes long-term preparation for a journalism career rather than short-term training.

Key takeaways:
- Renewable scholarships for journalism and related media fields
- Administered by the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF)
- Supports tuition and education-related expenses
- Focused on preparing students for careers in journalism

Eligibility
**Who can apply**
Applicants must be graduates of Maine high schools or must have been homeschooled in a Maine community during their final year of secondary education. Eligible fields include journalism and reasonably related majors that prepare students for work in print, broadcast, or electronic media. Selection criteria center on demonstrated interest in journalism, financial need, and academic achievement; evidence of relevant coursework and extracurricular involvement strengthens an application.

Key takeaways:
- Must be a Maine high school graduate or homeschooled in Maine in the final year
- Majors must be journalism or closely related media fields
- Selection based on interest in journalism, financial need, and academic performance
- Relevant coursework and extracurriculars are important

Award Value
**Amount and factors**
Individual Gannett scholarships vary in size based on student need, academic achievement, level of education, and demonstrated involvement in journalism. Award amounts historically range from roughly $1,000 up to $60,000 for a recipient, and funds can be structured to cover tuition and other college expenses. Exact award offers depend on each student’s financial assessment and educational plan.

Key takeaways:
- Awards vary by individual circumstances
- Typical range: about $1,000 to $60,000
- Amounts consider need, academics, education level, and journalism involvement
- Funds can be applied to tuition and related expenses

Application Timeline
**How to apply and renew**
Applications are submitted online through the Maine Community Foundation scholarship portal; applicants should consult the portal for current opening dates and deadlines each year. Recipients are encouraged to apply for renewal annually throughout their undergraduate and graduate education, with renewal evaluations reflecting increased commitment to a journalism career. Prepare documentation of financial need, academic records, and evidence of journalism-related activity when applying or renewing.

Key takeaways:
- Apply online via the MaineCF scholarship portal
- Check the portal for annual deadlines and application windows
- Renewal applications are encouraged each year of higher education
- Have financial, academic, and journalism activity documentation ready

History of the Award
**Origins and impact**
The scholarship traces to Guy P. Gannett, who launched his newspaper career in 1921 by merging two papers into the Portland Press Herald and grew a media company active through 1998. In 2000, Gannett’s granddaughter Maddy Corson and her uncle John Gannett established the Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund with resources from the Guy P. Gannett Foundation. The initial $3 million endowment was MaineCF’s largest at launch; since then the fund has supported nearly 150 students and distributed over $3.2 million in scholarships. Corson and the family framed the fund with the clear aim of producing debt-free graduates prepared for journalism careers.

Key takeaways:
- Founded in 2000 by Maddy Corson and John Gannett from the family foundation
- Origin tied to Guy P. Gannett’s long newspaper and media legacy
- Launched with a $3 million endowment (MaineCF’s largest at the time)
- Has supported ~150 students and distributed more than $3.2 million