Pickard Theater, Bowdoin College campus

Welcome to the Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA) web site!


Overview of the Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA) Learn more about the leadership of the Maine Educational Loan Authority Learn more about The Maine Loan(R) and apply online Learn more about The Maine Medical Loan(SM) and apply online Apply online for The Maine Loan(R) or The Maine Medical Loan(SM) Learn more about the MELA Private Conslidation Loan(SM) Latest press releases from the Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA) Read the Maine Educational Loan Authority's annual report MELA Rules Links to other helpful online resources Frequently Asked Questions Go to MELA.net homepage


Previous Press Releases

MELA OFFERS MAINE STUDENTS $20,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

For Immediate Release:  March 17, 2008
Contact: Shirley Erickson, 800-922-6352, x. 3011

Portland, ME (March 2008) -- The Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA), sponsor of The Maine Loan®, has increased its annual scholarship awards to $20,000, by offering eight $2,500 scholarships. Students eligible for these scholarships are Maine residents planning to attend an institution of higher education in the United States or Canada or out-of-state students planning to attend a Maine college or university. Applicants sign up on the MELA website www.mela.net, and are entered into the random drawings. MELA will select four entries in July 2008 and four entries in January 2009.

Scholarship recipients must be current undergraduate or graduate college students or high school seniors planning to pursue a two-or four-year degree on at least a half-time basis. Unlike other scholarships available, the MELA Web Scholarship is fast and easy, with no lengthy application necessary, no need to write an essay, send recommendations or demonstrate financial need. January 2008 scholarship recipients were all current college students from Bath, Chelsea, Guilford, and Rumford attending Pennsylvania State University, Unity College, and University of Maine.

MELA is dedicated to helping Maine students and their families finance their higher education. With the increasing cost of tuition and other related college expenses, MELA provides an alternative student loan program that can help families meet the gap between Federal financial aid limits and the total cost of higher education. The supplemental financial assistance available through MELA plays an important role in helping many Maine students access higher education.

"The online scholarship program is another way for MELA to give back to Maine students by helping them find financial resources for higher education," said Dr. Shirley Erickson, Executive Director of MELA. "In addition, The Maine Loan offers a low interest rate, generous borrower benefits, a rapid application process, and customer service based in Maine, making it the most competitive alternative education loan available in Maine."

Established by Maine legislation in 1988, MELA was created to assist Maine students and their families in achieving their higher education goals by providing an alternative student loan program. MELA's student loan programs exist to bridge the gap between the full cost of a higher education and traditional financial aid resources. This spring marks MELA's 20th year of providing low cost education loans, continuing its proud history of helping thousands of Maine residents pay for college.

For more information on MELA's scholarship program or The Maine Loan, please call toll-free 1-800-922-6352 or visit www.mela.net

###


$2,500 MELA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED UNITY COLLEGE STUDENT

For Immediate Release:  February 13, 2008
Contact: Shirley Erickson, 800-922-6352, x. 3011

Portland, ME (February 2008) -- Brandon Webber, of Chelsea, Maine, son of Robert and Kimberly Webber, was recently awarded a $2,500 MELA Scholarship. Brandon's name was randomly selected from over 1,400 applicants. He is a 2006 graduate of Erskine Academy and will use his $2,500 scholarship toward his tuition and fees at Unity College where he is majoring in Ecology.

Brandon is a member of Ducks Unlimited, his interests include waterfowl hunting, hand loading and reloading shooting sports, and is working towards developing a more environmentally, friendly plastic. He is very thankful for the scholarship award to assist him with his education costs.

The Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA), sponsor of The Maine Loan®, offers Maine residents planning to attend an institution of higher education in Maine, out-of-state or Canada or out-of-state students planning to attend a Maine college or university, the chance to win $2,500 toward their college education. Applicants sign up on the MELA website at www.mela.net, and are entered into the random drawing. MELA recently increased its total scholarship awards to $20,000, and offers eight $2,500 scholarships, selecting four entries in January 2008 and four entries in July 2008.

Scholarship recipients must be current undergraduate or graduate college students or high school seniors planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree on at least a half-time basis. Unlike other scholarships available, the MELA Web Scholarship is fast and easy, with no lengthy application necessary, no need to write an essay, send recommendations or demonstrate financial need.

"The online scholarship program fits perfectly with our mission of helping Maine students and their families finance higher education," said Dr. Shirley Erickson, Executive Director of MELA. "MELA's student loan programs serve as excellent educational financing tools, offering low variable interest rates, generous borrower benefits, and customer service centered in Maine."

Established by Maine legislation in 1988, MELA was created to assist Maine students and their families in achieving their higher education goals by providing an alternative student loan program. MELA's student loan programs exist to bridge the gap between the full cost of a higher education and traditional financial aid resources. This spring marks MELA's 20th year of providing low cost education loans, continuing its proud history of helping thousands of Maine residents pay for college.

For more information on MELA's scholarship program or The Maine Loan, please call toll-free 1-800-922-6352 or visit www.mela.net

###


$2,500 MELA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED UNIVERSITY OF MAINE STUDENT

For Immediate Release:  February 13, 2008
Contact: Shirley Erickson, 800-922-6352, x. 3011

Portland, ME (February 2008) -- Jessica Crouse of Guilford, Maine, daughter of Shane Crouse and Lorna Marshall, was recently awarded a $2,500 MELA Scholarship. Jessica's name was randomly selected from over 1,400 applicants. She is a 2006 graduate of Piscataquis Community High School and will use her $2,500 scholarship toward her tuition and fees at the University of Maine where she is a sophomore majoring in Physical Education and Health.

Jessica enjoys spending time with family and friends, she is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, and sports in general. She is a member of the Student Education Association, serving as secretary and the Honor Society of Alpha Lambda Delta. She is very thankful for the scholarship award to assist her with her education costs.

The Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA), sponsor of The Maine Loan®, offers Maine residents planning to attend an institution of higher education in Maine, out-of-state or Canada or out-of-state students planning to attend a Maine college or university, the chance to win $2,500 toward their college education. Applicants sign up on the MELA website at www.mela.net, and are entered into the random drawing. MELA recently increased its total scholarship awards to $20,000, and offers eight $2,500 scholarships, selecting four entries in January 2008 and four entries in July 2008.

Scholarship recipients must be current undergraduate or graduate college students or high school seniors planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree on at least a half-time basis. Unlike other scholarships available, the MELA Web Scholarship is fast and easy, with no lengthy application necessary, no need to write an essay, send recommendations or demonstrate financial need.

"The online scholarship program fits perfectly with our mission of helping Maine students and their families finance higher education," said Dr. Shirley Erickson, Executive Director of MELA. "MELA's student loan programs serve as excellent educational financing tools, offering low variable interest rates, generous borrower benefits, and customer service centered in Maine."

Established by Maine legislation in 1988, MELA was created to assist Maine students and their families in achieving their higher education goals by providing an alternative student loan program. MELA's student loan programs exist to bridge the gap between the full cost of a higher education and traditional financial aid resources. This spring marks MELA's 20th year of providing low cost education loans, continuing its proud history of helping thousands of Maine residents pay for college.

For more information on MELA's scholarship program or The Maine Loan, please call toll-free 1-800-922-6352 or visit www.mela.net

###


$2,500 MELA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED UNIVERSITY OF MAINE STUDENT

For Immediate Release:  February 13, 2008
Contact: Shirley Erickson, 800-922-6352, x. 3011

Portland, ME (February 2008) -- Kyle Dawson of Rumford, Maine, son of Ed and Lisa Dawson, was recently awarded a $2,500 MELA Scholarship. Kyle's name was randomly selected from over 1,400 applicants. He is a 2003 graduate of Mountain Valley High School and will use his $2,500 scholarship toward his tuition and fees at the University of Maine where he is majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.

Kyle's interests include golf, basketball, soccer, hiking, camping and video games. He is very thankful for the scholarship award to assist him with his education costs.

The Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA), sponsor of The Maine Loan®, offers Maine residents planning to attend an institution of higher education in Maine, out-of-state or Canada or out-of-state students planning to attend a Maine college or university, the chance to win $2,500 toward their college education. Applicants sign up on the MELA website at www.mela.net, and are entered into the random drawing. MELA recently increased its total scholarship awards to $20,000, and offers eight $2,500 scholarships, selecting four entries in January 2008 and four entries in July 2008.

Scholarship recipients must be current undergraduate or graduate college students or high school seniors planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree on at least a half-time basis. Unlike other scholarships available, the MELA Web Scholarship is fast and easy, with no lengthy application necessary, no need to write an essay, send recommendations or demonstrate financial need.

"The online scholarship program fits perfectly with our mission of helping Maine students and their families finance higher education," said Dr. Shirley Erickson, Executive Director of MELA. "MELA's student loan programs serve as excellent educational financing tools, offering low variable interest rates, generous borrower benefits, and customer service centered in Maine."

Established by Maine legislation in 1988, MELA was created to assist Maine students and their families in achieving their higher education goals by providing an alternative student loan program. MELA's student loan programs exist to bridge the gap between the full cost of a higher education and traditional financial aid resources. This spring marks MELA's 20th year of providing low cost education loans, continuing its proud history of helping thousands of Maine residents pay for college.

For more information on MELA's scholarship program or The Maine Loan, please call toll-free 1-800-922-6352 or visit www.mela.net

###


$2,500 MELA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED MAINE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATH GRADUATE STUDENT

For Immediate Release:  February 13, 2008
Contact: Shirley Erickson, 800-922-6352, x. 3011

Portland, ME (February 2008) -- Ryan Buck of Bath, Maine, son of Barbara Buck and stepson of William Quintana, was recently awarded a $2,500 MELA Scholarship. Ryan's name was randomly selected from over 1,400 applicants. He is a 2005 graduate of Maine School of Science and Math in Limestone and will use his $2,500 scholarship toward his tuition and fees at Penn State University where he is majoring in Nuclear Engineering.

Ryan's interests include hiking and backpacking, he is member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and an Eagle Scout. He is very thankful for the scholarship award to assist him with his education costs.

The Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA), sponsor of The Maine Loan®, offers Maine residents planning to attend an institution of higher education in Maine, out-of-state or Canada or out-of-state students planning to attend a Maine college or university, the chance to win $2,500 toward their college education. Applicants sign up on the MELA website at www.mela.net, and are entered into the random drawing. MELA recently increased its total scholarship awards to $20,000, and offers eight $2,500 scholarships, selecting four entries in January 2008 and four entries in July 2008.

Scholarship recipients must be current undergraduate or graduate college students or high school seniors planning to pursue a two- or four-year degree on at least a half-time basis. Unlike other scholarships available, the MELA Web Scholarship is fast and easy, with no lengthy application necessary, no need to write an essay, send recommendations or demonstrate financial need.

"The online scholarship program fits perfectly with our mission of helping Maine students and their families finance higher education," said Dr. Shirley Erickson, Executive Director of MELA. "MELA's student loan programs serve as excellent educational financing tools, offering low variable interest rates, generous borrower benefits, and customer service centered in Maine."

Established by Maine legislation in 1988, MELA was created to assist Maine students and their families in achieving their higher education goals by providing an alternative student loan program. MELA's student loan programs exist to bridge the gap between the full cost of a higher education and traditional financial aid resources. This spring marks MELA's 20th year of providing low cost education loans, continuing its proud history of helping thousands of Maine residents pay for college.

For more information on MELA's scholarship program or The Maine Loan, please call toll-free 1-800-922-6352 or visit www.mela.net

###


 
131 Presumpscot Street
Portland, ME 04103
TOLL FREE:  800-922-6352
PTLD AREA: 207-791-3600
customerservice@mela.net