Saint Joseph’s College of Maine launches TikTok scholarship challenge

Photo / Courtesy of Saint Joseph's College of Maine Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, located in Standish on the shores of Sebago Lake, is the state's only Catholic liberal arts college.

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By Alexis Wells

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has launched the #MakeMercyReal Challenge — a digital campaign on TikTok that will award up to $1 million in scholarships.

The Standish school will select up to four prospective first-year awardees based on the creativity, impact and authenticity of their short-form TikTok videos.

Winners will receive a full-ride scholarship, including tuition, room and board.

“We are not just looking for students who have high grades or impressive stats on the field; we are looking for students who have big hearts — students whose daily actions reflect a commitment to making the world a better place,” said Joseph Cassidy, president of the Saint Joseph's College of Maine.

“The #MakeMercyReal Challenge allows us to attract and empower the kind of leaders our world desperately needs: those who mirror the core mission and values of our school by putting compassion into action," he continued. "This challenge is our way of saying that character and kindness are just as valuable as your transcript.”

The challenge review period will run through Jan. 30, 2026. More information about the challenge can be found on the college's website.

Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is the state's only Catholic liberal arts college. Located on the shores of Sebago Lake, the 382-acre campus offers 46 undergraduate programs and hosts around 800 on-campus students.

In addition to its on-campus offerings, the college provides certificates, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees, to over 2,000 working adults online across the U.S. and internationally.

Saint Joseph's was ranked No. 16 among Maine's largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on full-time undergraduate enrollment in fall 2024.