BANGOR, Maine — Students in one of Maine’s largest counties could have the opportunity to attend Husson University in Bangor tuition-free.
"We want students, all students who are interested and capable, to be able to take advantage. A college education is transformational,” Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan, president of Husson University, said.
People are eligible for the Cyr Opportunity Scholarship if they are first-time students living in Penobscot County, earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher in high school, and have a family income of $80,000 dollars or less.
"Making those opportunities accessible regardless of students' financial situations is something the board of trustees have been very passionate for,” Dr. Coy-Ogan said.
The scholarship is named after alumni Joseph and Suzanne Cyr who donated the undisclosed amount to provide this opportunity.
“As a first generation college student myself who needed support and help in making things affordable I truly appreciate the gift from the Cyr’s. But all donations and all that, Husson provides to our students,” Michael Fox, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Husson University, said.
School leaders hope the scholarship will not only help build students’ futures but also the local economy.
"We want to make sure that the students hear, as they're considering their options for college and then working and continuing to live in Maine, that we serve the communities that encompass our campus and that we continue to give back as much as possible,” Fox said.
Dr. Coy-Ogan said she does not expect there to be a limit on how many students can receive the scholarship in the first few years of it being awarded.
"At this point we're prepared to be able to address the full interest for the incoming class of this next year,” Coy-Ogan said
First-time students who are entering their first year of college and plan to be full-time are eligible to apply for the scholarship for fall 2025 undergraduate admission. You can learn more about the scholarship here.