Scholarships

General requirements

1. The applicant must complete a MASL scholarship application. 

2. The applicant must be a Maine resident or employed by a Maine school.

3. The applicant must be a MASL member in good standing for at least 12 months prior to submitting a scholarship application or at the discretion of the board.

4. Applications must be received at least one month prior to the beginning of the course, conference or workshop.

5. Applicants must provide evidence of enrollment in the course, workshop or conference for which a scholarship is being sought.

6. Successful applicants must wait three years before applying for another MASL scholarship or at the discretion of the board.
   

For course work

1. Applicants must provide a personal statement (400-500 word) describing how this course will contribute to professional goals related to work in the school library.

2. Applicants must provide at least one letter of recommendation from an instructor, supervisor, co-worker or MASL member.

3. Scholarships are limited to tuition and required resources up to $1,000at the Association's discretion. The scholarship award depends on the number of applicants and the Association’s budget for the year.

4. Applicants must share information gained from the course, workshop or conference by doing one of the following:

 a. provide a session at a MASL workshop or conference

 b. write an article to be published in a MASL publication or website

For professional conferences and workshops

1. Applicants must state the specific professional goal the workshop or conference experience will advance and provide evidence of that contribution after the event. 

2. The workshop or conference must be related to the field of school libraries

3. Applicants must share information gained from the course, workshop or conference by doing one of the following:

 a. provide a session at a MASL workshop or conference

 b. write an article to be published in a MASL publication or website

 c. make a presentation at a MASL Board meeting (in person or online)

1. The scholarship award (up to $1,000) depends on the number of applicants and the Association’s budget for the year.

2. Scholarship funds may be used to pay for registration, hotel, and transportation related to the workshop or conference.

Process
Once an application has been received it will be reviewed by the chair of the Scholarship Committee to verify that it meets the requirements of the scholarship program. 

 The application will be reviewed and a decision will be made based on the following criteria:

1. Evidence of contribution to the individual’s professional goals

2. Demonstrated financial need

3. Evidence of the member’s contribution to the profession

4. Priority will be given to continuing MASL members.

5. Preference will be given to first-time scholarship recipients.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award by email and provided with the necessary information to complete the process and receive payment. In the event that an application is not approved for a scholarship, the committee chair will contact the applicant with an explanation of why the scholarship was not awarded. 

Payment
Payment of awarded scholarships will be made upon evidence of successful completion of the course, workshop or conference.  Required documentation must be emailed to MASL at maslibraries@gmail.com.

For course work, recipients must submit an official grade transcript and expense receipts. Scholarship recipients must receive a passing grade to receive scholarship funds.

For workshops and conferences the requirement is a certificate of attendance and receipts for covered expenses.

Scholarship Application Form

Link will take you to a Google Doc. Complete the application and submit to MASL as directed.