The Morning Sentinel

March 6

Babies, parents invited to sign up for college grant Saturday

Morning Sentinel Staff

WATERVILLE -- Eligible Maine babies and their families are invited to go to the Holiday Inn on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to sign up for a $500 Harold Alfond College Challenge Grant.

The event also is part of a search for new Maine baby faces for advertising the program.

"Future Faces of Maine" casting calls also will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13 at the Maine Mall in South Portland.

The $500 Alfond Grant is available to all Maine babies when a NextGen College Investing Plan account is opened by their first birthday. At the casting calls, Maine babies under the age of one will receive a free professional portrait and may have their picture appear in future Harold Alfond College Challenge advertising.

Finance Authority of Maine staff will be on hand with information and to provide help in completing the enrollment form.

No income limits and no contributions are required to receive the $500 grant. Funds in the NextGen account may be used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at any accredited post-secondary school, including four-year and two-year public and private colleges, certificate programs, trade schools, and even graduate schools.

"Mr. Alfond hoped that, by offering this start for all Maine babies, others would help with the pursuit of higher education," said Elizabeth Vanderweide, program manager for the Harold Alfond College Challenge. "So, while making additional contributions isn't required to receive the grant, we do hope families and others will also invest in these children's futures."