First-Year Merit Scholarships for Maine Residents/Canadian Students

Spring 2025

Criteria Scholarship Programs Terms and Conditions Adjustments

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 the student’s 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.

Specialized Scholarship Programs for Maine Residents

UMaine National Merit Award

Eligibility Criteria:  Semi-finalist and finalists with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Award Amount: 100% tuition and mandatory fees, up to 30 credits per academic year (renewable for four years with a maintained 3.3 GPA)

Maine 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 30 credits per academic year (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.

Spring 2025 Scholarship Terms and Conditions

  • 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. Filing a FAFSA is not required to receive merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. 
  • 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 8 semesters over 4 years, or 120 credits, whichever comes first, provided that the student meets specific renewal criteria.
  • 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.
  • Student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (see Office of Student Financial Services for more information).
  • Student must maintain at least part-time enrollment (no fewer than 6 graded credit hours per semester) 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 Top Scholar Awards and UMaine National Merit Award require students to maintain full-time enrollment (no fewer than 12 graded credit hours per semester) 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 fewer than 15 credits.