The Island Institute provides financial support for educational, enrichment, and workforce experiences to help prepare island and coastal high school students and young adults for post-secondary education and training opportunities.
We aim to help prepare island and coastal students and young adults for education and training opportunities after high school and connect them to employers and careers along Maine’s coast and beyond. This support takes the shape of:
- Travel and enrichment beginning in middle school with the Geiger Scholarship
- Post-secondary education support through the Mentoring, Access, and Persistence (MAP) program and the Maine Island Scholarship
- Access to career opportunities through Compass Workforce Grants
Our Scholarships at a Glance
The Geiger Scholarship
Middle school through college students
The Geiger Scholarship offers financial support for students interested in expanding their educational horizons through off-island enrichment and travel experiences, including summer camp, semester study abroad, and gap year programs.
Explore this Story Map and discover the unlimited possibilities!
Applications are due November 30 and February 28 of each year. Please check back in September 2023 to apply!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GEIGER SCHOLARSHIP
Mentoring, Access, & Persistence (MAP) Program
Island high school juniors and seniors
The Mentoring, Access, and Persistence (MAP) Program provides transition and scholarship support to students as they navigate steps after high school. MAP provides a cohort experience, leadership training, individual post-secondary planning support, and a scholarship for students—$1,500 a year, renewable up to four years for those who enroll in post-secondary education.
Currently accepting applications on a rolling basis for the high school class of 2024!
Maine Island Sweet Scholarship
Students pursuing post-secondary education
The Maine Island Sweet Scholarship provides financial support for one graduating high school senior from a Maine island. Applicants should demonstrate a high level of commitment to their academics, extracurriculars, communities, and development as leaders. This scholarship provides $2,500/year and is renewable for up to four years.
Applications are due February 28 of each year. Please check back in December 2023 to apply!
Current scholarship recipients can renew at the below link through June 30, 2023.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SWEET SCHOLARSHIP
Compass Workforce Grant
Young adults ages 15-30
The Compass Workforce Grant provides financial support for young adults from Maine’s islands, including Deer Isle-Stonington, to help pay for workforce expenses associated with obtaining a certificate or credential used to pursue a job or career path. The Compass Workforce Grant provides grants of up to $2,000.
For more information about the application process, please contact Yvonne Thomas at ythomas@islandinstitute.org or 207-579-1058.
Check out our Scholarship Overview
For a full overview of each of our scholarship and grant opportunities, including award amounts eligibility requirements, and application details, check out our Scholarship Overview.