Your Estimated Alfond Grant Value
What’s My Alfond Grant Worth?
What’s My Alfond Grant Worth?
Do I (or my student) have an Alfond Grant?
Here are a few ways you may know if you or your student has the $500 Alfond Grant:
If you or your student was born as a Maine resident* between 2009 – 2012 (or born at MaineGeneral in 2008) they would have received the Alfond Grant if a NextGen 529 account was opened prior to their first birthday.
If you or your student was born as a Maine resident* in 2013 or later, they have automatically been awarded the Alfond Grant!1
*Born a Maine resident means your mother was a Maine resident at the time of your birth.
Does my student have an Alfond Grant?
Here are a few ways you may know if your student has the $500 Alfond Grant:
If your student was born as a Maine resident between 2009 – 2012 (or born at MaineGeneral in 2008) they would have received the Alfond Grant if a NextGen 529 account was opened prior to their first birthday.
If your student was born as a Maine resident in 2013 or later, they have automatically been awarded the Alfond Grant!1
Not sure if your student has the Alfond Grant, a NextGen 529 account or both?
Call FAME at 207-623-3263 or 800-228-3734; TTY: 207-626-2717. FAME helps to administer the Alfond Grant and also administers NextGen 529.
What is the Alfond Grant?
The Alfond Grant was created by Harold Alfond, a Maine businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Alfond wanted Maine students like you to get a head start on paying for education after high school, because he knew that continuing your education can lead to a bright future. And so he committed to investing $500 Alfond Grants for children born as Maine residents.
What Can I use the Alfond Grant for?
You can use your Alfond Grant to pay for things like tuition and fees at four-year public and private colleges and universities, two-year associate degree programs, as well as many trade and technical schools and apprenticeship programs, and even qualified online courses—in the U.S. and even some outside. It can also be used for books and supplies—including computers! To check if a school is eligible, please visit https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-app/FSCsearch
FAQs
Am I eligible for the Alfond Grant?
For every baby born a Maine resident* starting in 2013, the Alfond Scholarship Foundation invests a $500 Alfond Grant for his or her future qualified higher education expenses. The Alfond Scholarship Foundation invests these funds until the child is ready to use them. The Alfond Grant can be used to pay for higher education expenses at eligible higher education institutions and must be used by the child’s 28th birthday. (learn more)
*”Born a Maine resident” means your mother was a Maine resident at the time of your birth.
Maine babies born between 2009 and 2012 (and babies born in 2008 at MaineGeneral Hospital) receive the Alfond Grant if a NextGen 529 account was opened by the child’s first birthday. Children born before 2013 for whom a NextGen 529 account was not opened by the first birthday deadline did not receive and are no longer eligible for the Alfond Grant. (learn more)
Eligibility is initially determined by reports from the Maine Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS). Children born on or after January 1, 2013 whose births were not reported by the Maine DRVS can prove Maine residency at birth with documentation acceptable to FAME and Alfond Scholarship Foundation. A child who was not born a Maine resident may be eligible for an Alfond Grant if he or she is listed as the beneficiary of a NextGen 529 account that is opened on or before the child’s first birthday, and the child is a Maine resident at the time the account is opened. The Alfond Grant will then be linked to the NextGen 529 account established for the child. (learn more)
If you are not sure if you or your student has the Alfond Grant, call FAME at 207-623-3263 or 800-228-3734; TTY: 207-626-2717 or Visit this site
How does the Alfond Grant work?
Starting on January 1, 2013, the $500 Alfond Grant has been awarded to all babies born as Maine residents.* While you cannot add directly to the Alfond Grant, families interested in making their own investment in their child’s future education should consider opening their own account. There are numerous college savings plans available to families and each family can select a plan that is best suited for that family. If a family wants to make their own contribution to their child’s future education through the NextGen 529 plan, they need to open their own account. If they choose to open a NextGen 529 account, Maine’s Section 529 plan, then they can receive statements which show both the Alfond Grant and any family contributions. For more information on Maine’s Section 529 plan visit NextGenforME.com.
* Children born to mothers who are Maine residents at the time of their birth are eligible for the Alfond Grant. Parents do not have to be US citizens for a child to receive an Alfond Grant.
How do I know if I was born a Maine resident?
Children born to mothers who are Maine residents at the time of their birth are eligible for the Alfond Grant. Parents do not have to be US citizens for a child to receive an Alfond Grant. Eligibility is initially determined by reports from the Maine Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS). In some circumstances, children born out of state to Maine mothers are eligible for the Alfond Grant (e.g. residents of Maine who have a child out of state, mothers serving in the military who declare Maine as their state of residency, Residents of York County born in NH or MA, etc); additional documentation may be required to establish eligibility. Please contact FAME at 800-228-3734 for questions and further information. Additional details can also be found on the Alfond Grant Guidelines.
Online Resource
MyPlan
MyPlan makes it fun to get ready for your future education. Choose an activity each month that will help you DO, SAVE, and LEARN. And remember – the easiest way to stick to a plan is by taking small steps.
Online Resource
Claim Your Future®
A super-fun game that helps you figure out what you want to do after high school . It’s not just any game though, it helps you explore career options, plan for college or other training, learn about handling money (Adulting 101!), and more!
Don’t Miss Important Info!
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1The Alfond Grant is not automatic in all circumstances and is also available in limited other circumstances. The use of the Alfond Grant is also subject to certain restrictions — see Alfond Grant Guidelines. The Alfond Grant may lose value.