Methods and compositions for inhibiting scale in papermaking processes are provided. The methods may include adding an effective amount of a terpolymer composition to an aqueous medium in the papermaking process. The terpolymer may include various monomers, such as maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid. As non-limiting example, the weight average molecular weight of the terpolymer may be from about 5,000 Da to about 20,000 Da.