Maine’s community colleges will hand out an extra $30,000 in scholarships next semester thanks to a company that usually specializes in student loans. Nelnet, the largest provider of college student loans in Maine, this week surprised the Community College System with funding for low- and middle-income students. The money will be split into 60 $500 scholarships for students throughout the community college system’s seven campuses.

Each college will choose which of its students will receive the money. Scholarships will be awarded during the spring semester, which starts in January.

Both new and returning students will be eligible. For more information, new students should contact their community college’s admissions office. Returning students should contact their financial aid office.

Nelnet officials say the company has awarded about $125,000 in scholarships this year.

This is the first time it has given such scholarship money to the Community College System.