Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship

Background — why this scholarship exists
Guy P. Gannett began his newspaper career in 1921 when he bought and combined two papers to create the Portland Press Herald. Over the decades his family grew the business; by the time they sold Guy Gannett Communications in 1998, the company included three daily Maine newspapers and seven television stations across several states. That commitment to journalism became a family legacy.

Maddy Corson, Gannett’s granddaughter, was still in eighth grade when her name was added to the newspaper trust to help secure future stewardship. In 2000 Corson and her uncle John Gannett used funds from the Guy P. Gannett Foundation to create the Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund. The initial $3 million endowment — the largest ever established through MaineCF — has since provided more than $3.2 million in support and helped nearly 150 students. Corson’s stated goal for the program is simple and ambitious: every Gannett scholar should graduate without debt.

Who the scholarship is for
– Students who plan to major in journalism or a closely related field (this includes print, broadcast, and electronic media).
– Graduates of Maine high schools, or students who were home‑schooled in a Maine community during their final year of secondary education.

What the scholarship supports
– Renewable financial aid for undergraduate and graduate study in journalism-related fields.
– Award amounts have varied substantially — from about $1,000 up to $60,000 — depending on a student’s financial need, academic achievement, level of education, and involvement in journalism.

How recipients are chosen
Selection emphasizes three things:
1. A demonstrated and growing commitment to journalism (this shows up in course choices, special projects, internships, school media work, and extracurricular activities).
2. Financial need.
3. Academic achievement.

Recipients are encouraged to reapply for renewal each year. As scholars progress through college and beyond, the selection committee looks for increased evidence of intent to pursue journalism as a career.

Important practical details
– Award size: varies (typically between $1,000 and $60,000)
– Application deadline: May 1
– How to apply: Apply online (Gannett Scholarship Fund application)

If you’re a Maine student interested in journalism, treat this like a real career-investment opportunity: assemble your coursework, portfolios, resumes of media work, and statements about why journalism matters to you before you submit.