7/21/09 - Caitlyn Ann Doucette of Avon, Maine is the 1,000th Alfond Baby

Caitlyn Ann Doucette of Avon, Maine is the 1,000th Alfond Baby

Augusta, ME – On February 21, 2009 Caitlyn Ann Doucette was born at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, Maine. On July 21, 2009, Caitlyn got a head start on her college education when she became the 1,000th baby to receive the Harold Alfond College Challenge $500 grant.

As with all of Maine’s babies born in 2009, Caitlyn was eligible for a $500 grant through the Harold Alfond College Challenge to start a NextGen College Investing Plan® account. Her parents, Melissa Cook and Christopher Doucette, learned of the program through news reports and the hospital. They completed the application to receive the grant because they want to give Caitlyn every opportunity to succeed. “I think it is very important to go to college,” said Caitlyn’s mother, Melissa Cook. “I went to college and I want her to go. With the support of the Alfond Grant, I had the motivation to get started.”

Caitlyn’s parents are hoping that she will grow up happy and able to do what she wants in the future, and they are hoping to continue to add to Caitlyn’s college savings account.

Beloved, late Maine philanthropist Harold Alfond, former owner of Dexter Shoe Company, established the program before he passed away in November 2007 to ensure access to higher education for all Maine’s children. There is no income limit or need for families to contribute their own money to receive the grant. Babies’ families must open a NextGen® account before the baby’s first birthday to receive the Alfond Grant. The Harold Alfond College Challenge is administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).

Elizabeth Vanderweide, Program Manager for the Harold Alfond College Challenge at FAME, is encouraged by the growing number of babies receiving the Alfond Grant. “The number of families completing the form to receive the Alfond Grant is growing fast – the program is becoming well known thanks to the great outreach work by hospitals, physician practices and community partners”, said Ms. Vanderweide. “Our challenge continues to be informing parents and families of this truly wonderful opportunity for their child’s future. Although people don’t have to contribute money to the account, many are eagerly adding to their child’s accounts, better preparing them for the future. FAME staff is ready and eager to help individuals complete the form should anyone need such assistance.”

The Alfond Grant, including all earnings on the funds, may only be used for qualified higher education expenses at any accredited postsecondary school; including graduate schools, trade schools, and some foreign institutions that participate in certain federal financial aid programs. Alfond Grant beneficiaries can pursue certificate programs, as well as associate, bachelor, master, doctoral and professional degrees beyond high school. The grant and its earnings must be used prior to the account beneficiary turning 28 years old. For more information on the Harold Alfond College Challenge, please call 800-228-3734 or visit www.500forbaby.org.

About the Alfond Scholarship Foundation

The Alfond Scholarship Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established specifically to sponsor and support the Harold Alfond College Challenge. This new foundation is a partnership of organizations and individuals who truly embrace Mr. Alfond’s philosophy, and includes representatives from the Maine Compact for Higher Education, FAME, the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System, the Maine Community Foundation, the Mitchell Institute, and at-large members that include representatives from MaineGeneral Health and the Maine Hospital Association. To learn more about the Harold Alfond College Challenge, please visit www.500forbaby.org.