Additional Funding Options

If your financial aid award will not cover your full cost to attend, additional payment options exist for both parents and students.

  1. Installment Payment Plans – For those who find it convenient to make monthly payments, the University of Maine is pleased to offer an integrated 5-payment plan for the Fall and Spring terms and a 3-payment plan for the Summer term.  Enrolling in a payment plan is easily done by self-service through the MaineStreet student center or through TouchNet access if you are an authorized user on the student’s account.
    Please visit the Bursar’s Office for additional information at umaine.edu/bursar/payment-options.
  2. Scholarship Options – Scholarships do not need to be repaid and can be awardedbased on different criteria. Funds may come from the University, individual academic departments, or outside organizations.

    • Academic Departments: Contact your academic
      department to learn about potential scholarship
      opportunities.
    • UMaine Selective Scholarships: UMaine Selective
      Scholarships are University scholarships that have a wide variety of criteria. Complete an application by April 1. The application is available online at umaine.edu/stuaid/types-of-aid/scholarships.
    • Outside Scholarships: To view our list of trusted online scholarship searches visit,
      umaine.edu/stuaid/types-of-aid/scholarships
  3. Work Options – The University of Maine’s Office of Student Employment helps students find Federal Work-Study and
    non-Work-Study jobs both on and off campus. For more
    information, visit umaine.edu/studemp. Use our online job search, CareerLink, to explore employment opportunities:
    umaine.edu/career/careerlink.
  4. Loan Options – There are a variety of loan programs available to help finance a college education, all of which will have to be repaid either upon disbursement of the loan funds or once the student leaves school. Before applying for any loan, ask questions and evaluate each loan program carefully to choose the one which is best for you. Some options include:
    1. Federal Direct PLUS Loans  – Federal Direct PLUS Loans are credit-based loans provided by the Department of Education to parents of dependent undergraduate students who have filed a FAFSA. The
      application is available at studentaid.gov. Students whose parents were denied a Federal Direct PLUS Loan may qualify for additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
    2. Alternative Loans Alternative Educational Loans are credit-based loans which are applied for in the
      student’s name from a private lender. Most lenders require a co-signer. A list of lenders, in addition to information on the process for obtaining an alternative educational loan, is available at elmselect.com.
  5. Exploring options through the Armed Forces – If you are a member of the Armed Forces, or a dependent or spouse of one, you may be eligible for benefits through programs offered by the specific branch of the service with which your are affiliated. Talk with the Veterans Affairs Office on campus, the campus ARMY or NAVY ROTC offices and with Armed Forces recruitment officers.
  6. Talking with an expert- Your lender, accountant or a financial planner may be able to give you specific advice relative to your own particular financial situation and provide suggestions as to how to tap into other resources.