By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Maine babies and their families will have the opportunity next Saturday to receive a $500 grant that will go to their higher education.
A “Future Faces of Maine” Casting Call will be held June 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle. The casting call event not only helps search for fresh Maine baby faces for advertising the Harold Alfond College Challenge Grant program, but gives all eligible Maine babies and their families the chance to receive help completing the application for the $500 grant.
Alfond was a philanthropist and founder of Dexter Shoe Co.
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 1 will receive a free professional photograph and may have their picture appear in future Harold Alfond College Challenge promotional materials. For interested families, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) staff will be on hand to provide information and assistance in completing the application for the $500 grant.
“Casting Calls have proven to be wonderful experiences for babies and their families,” said Elizabeth Vanderweide, program manager for the Harold Alfond College Challenge. “Not only will families receive a free, professional photograph of their baby, but Casting Calls also provide an opportunity for families who wish to receive help to complete the NextGen account application, which is required in order to receive the $500 Harold Alfond College Challenge Grant.”
Casting call events over the past two years have attracted nearly 2,000 Maine babies and assisted in the opening of 1,200 NextGen accounts. Over 8,000 Maine babies have opened accounts and received the $500 Alfond Grant, with 25 percent of families also contributing their own funds. There are 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.
To learn more about the Harold Alfond College Challenge, please visit www.500forbaby.org.
