2023-2024 First Year Merit Scholarships for Maine Residents
As the Flagship University for the state of Maine, we are committed to supporting Maine students. Through the Maine Scholarship Commitment Program we focus on a student’s high school GPA and the rigor of coursework completed to award competitive, renewable scholarships at the time of admission. No additional application is required to be considered for these scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Based on academic performance in high school, including GPA and rigor of coursework.
- Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to qualify for admissions-based scholarships.
- Standardized test scores, such as the SAT and ACT, are optional for admissions and may be considered if they are available at the time of the scholarship review.
Submit your complete admissions application by December 1, 2022 to be considered for the
maximum amount of merit award possible!
Specialized Scholarship Programs for Maine Residents
UMaine National Merit Award
Eligibility Criteria: Semi-finalist with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Award Amount: 100% tuition and fees & standard room and board, up to 15 credits per semester
Maine’s Top Scholars
Eligibility Criteria: High-achieving students from Maine selected based on the following considerations: GPA, academic rigor, program of interest, demonstrated leadership/community service
Award Amount: 100% tuition and fees, up to 15 credits per semester (renewable for four years with a maintained 3.3 GPA). Additionally, students are given the opportunity to participate in scholarly activity/research in their field and are invited to join the Honors College. For additional information on the Maine Top Scholars Scholarship visit umaine.edu/majorscholarships/maine-top-scholars.
2023-2024 Scholarship Terms and Conditions
General Scholarship Information
- Filing a FAFSA is not required to receive merit-based scholarships at the time of admissions. First-year students are highly encouraged to file a FAFSA by March 1 in order to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid funds.
- Scholarship amounts are a financial commitment made to students by the University of Maine. Some or all of the commitment funds may be replaced on the financial aid offer by other Federal, University, and Endowed scholarships and/or grants.
- Awards are renewable for up to a total of 8 semesters, provided that the student meets specific renewal criteria
- The award must be used within a period not to exceed five years.
- Scholarship amount is determined at the time of admission and will remain fixed throughout the student’s undergraduate career, provided the student meets renewal eligibility requirements.
Renewal Criteria
- Student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (see Office of Student Financial Aid for more information).
- Student must maintain at least part-time enrollment (no fewer than 6 graded credit hours per semester) at their current tuition status leading to an undergraduate degree at UMaine.
- Students are required to meet a minimum cumulative GPA each academic year in order to maintain eligibility for admissions-based scholarships. Students will be sent a formal letter with the required GPA that they must meet.
- Maine’s Top Scholar Award and UMaine National Merit Award require students must maintain at least full-time enrollment (no fewer than 12 graded credit hours per semester) at their current tuition status leading to an undergraduate degree at UMaine.
Enrollment Based Adjustments
UMaine’s initial financial aid offers are based on the assumption that a student will enroll in 15 credits per semester. Some types of aid, including merit scholarships and institutional grants, are adjusted for students who enroll in more or less than 15 credits.