Mitchell Scholarship

The application window for the Mitchell Scholarship for 2024 is open till midnight on April 1, 2024! Please click the button below if you are prepared to submit an application and are aware of the requirements for the Scholarship.

The Mitchell Institute helps Maine college students reach their full potential so they can strengthen their local communities.

Every year, we give scholarships to Maine’s public high school graduates who choose to pursue further education.

Each Mitchell Scholar receives a scholarship award of $10,000, which is paid in four equal installments of $2,500 and represents more than 130 high schools from every community in Maine.

The Mitchell Institute offers scholarships for Maine students wishing to enroll in two- and four-year degree programs at both in-state and out-of-state universities in an effort to aid more Mainers in pursuing higher education.

Scholarship Objectives

The Mitchell Scholars Program was established to reward and promote intellectual accomplishment, leadership, and dedication to the community and public service.

however, the name is in honor of former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell’s significant contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.

The Mitchell Institute Will Give Out 20 Extra Scholarships in 2023.

The Mitchell Institute is intensifying its efforts to improve Maine students’ access to higher education.

We will grant 20 extra scholarships across the state in addition to our long-standing commitment to give at least one scholarship each year to a graduating student from each of Maine’s 135 public high schools.

Bringing our annual funding for the class of 2024 Mitchell Scholars up to $1.55 million!

When Scholars are chosen, the Mitchell Institute provides them with both personal and professional resources to help them succeed in college and beyond.

Along with providing the scholarship’s financial support, the Mitchell Institute also provides a wide range of personal, academic, and professional support programs.

As well as a network of more than 3,000 Mitchell Scholars, Alumni, and partners — all of which add up to much more than a simple check.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a graduating senior at Harvard College or an alumnus under the age of 30 (as of September 29 of the application year) and a citizen of the United States.

As long as a relevant degree or certificate program is offered by an Irish institution of higher learning, applicants from any field of study are eligible.

While it is acceptable for applicants to pursue a course of study unrelated to their undergraduate area of study.

They must nonetheless demonstrate that they have the requisite academic or professional background to succeed in the proposed program.

Alumni who wish to apply for the Mitchell Scholarship should NOT go through the university endorsement procedure; instead, they should follow the instructions on higher education.

Programs and Resources Available to Mitchell Scholars Include

Events for career and leadership development
access to a variety of social and professional networks
personal support and tailored career guidance through one-on-one discussions with Mitchell Institute experts and community members
Fellowship Awards of up to $1,500 to provide opportunities for internships and professional/personal development
Emergency financial aid for unforeseen financial difficulties

Alumni

Alumni of the Mitchell Scholarship program have gone on to work in journalism, academia, politics, consultancy, and the law.

Some notable alumni include Dr. Thomas J. Vitolo, an American energy consultant, and Massachusetts.

From the 15th Norfolk District, Arsalan Suleman, the acting U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Matt Haney, the president of the San Francisco Board of Education, Ty McCormick, the African editor of Foreign Policy magazine, Jimmy Soni, the former managing editor of the Huffington Post, and Jimmy Soni.

The Placement

Universities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, such as Trinity College, Dublin, and University College Cork.

The University of Limerick, National University of Ireland, Galway, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, University of Ulster, and Queen’s University Belfast, are where Mitchell Scholars are assigned.

Controversy

The Department of State attempted to stop funding the program in 2012, but with the help of many US Congressmen.

University presidents and academics, the general public through a petition, and the governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the decision was overturned for the 2013 budget year.

Benefits

For one year of study in Ireland, the Mitchell Scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, and a travel allowance abroad.

Three criteria—scholarship, leadership, and consistent dedication to civic engagement—are used to evaluate applicants. Equal importance is given to all three areas.

Long lists of extracurricular involvement or membership are less persuasive than evidence of a candidate’s major, palpable impact on their community or school.

Lack of prior experience in Ireland, which the Mitchell Scholarship aims to introduce future American leaders to, may advantage a candidate above other equally qualified applicants.

However, being chosen as a Mitchell Scholar is not contingent on having studied or been enrolled in school in Ireland previously or currently.

Instead of being allowed to specify a preference, applicants will be requested to select at least three (and maybe as many as five)

Universities in Ireland and/or Northern Ireland where they would like to study. The Mitchell Scholarship selection committee will determine the ultimate institution.

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The Note from a Special Director

An essay of 1,000 words on one’s personal statement is required for the Mitchell Scholarship national application.

All applicants for the Mitchell Scholarship must sign an affirmation that their essay is their own original work and has not been substantially amended or edited by anybody else, just like for the Rhodes Scholarship.

As a result, in lieu of submitting your essay, please send responses to the three endorsement questions listed on the next page for the Harvard endorsement procedure.