AUBURN -Members of the first group of recipients of the Maine Community College Scholarships were recognized at a luncheon at Central Maine Community College.

Area winners were Suzanne Niederer, Cony High School in Augusta; Tracy Hall, Lisbon High School; Joe Coakley, Maranacook High School in Readfield; Ashley Davis and Megan Becvar, Edward Little High School in Auburn; Heather Cote, Lewiston High School and Jennifer Callahan, Poland Regional High School.

The Maine Community College Scholarship Program began last year as a way to encourage students from participating high schools who are undecided about attending college and who have been identified as having the potential to succeed. Students are nominated by their school principal, guidance counselor or teacher in their junior year.

The scholarships provide $2,000 over two years and can be applied to any certificate, diploma or associate degree program at a Maine community college. Recipients must attend college full-time (minimum of 12 credits hours/semester) and maintain a 2.0 GPA to continue to qualify for the scholarship.

Once students are selected, staff of the Maine Community College System’s Maine Career Advantage program guide them student through the college admissions and financial aid application processes. They also provide mentoring services to the students while they are in high school and at college.

Students may be eligible for the scholarship if they are a Maine resident, are in good standing at their high school and apply and are accepted at a Maine community college. Financial need and whether they are the first in their family to go to college may be considered.

Interested students should contact the guidance office at their high schools to determine whether their school participates in this the Maine Community College Scholarship Program.