How to fund your graduate degree
Deciding to pursue graduate education is an important decision. That’s why the Graduate School is committed to assisting prospective and current students with finding ways to fund their education. While the top three ways to receive funding support are through assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships, there are alternative ways to find support whether through loans or other third party sources.
Assistantships
Scholarships
Fellowships
What is included in university funding
Stipend
The minimum award for an academic year position, based on 2021-2022 figures is:
- $16,500 USD for master’s students
- $19,000 USD for doctoral students
Tuition
Most university funding provides a tuition waiver for 6-9 credit hours per semester.
Students are responsible for covering the fees associated with tuition costs.
Health Insurance
UMaine covers up to half of the university health insurance benefit for eligible students (GA/RA/TA and fellows).
Eligibility for university funding
Several types of awards and assistance are available for new and continuing graduate students at the University of Maine.
All new applicants who wish to be reviewed for awards or other UMaine financial assistance must have submitted and completed a graduate degree application by January 15. Most awards are based on academic performance, requiring at least a 3.0 graduate GPA, rather than financial need.
For more information, please contact the Graduate School or the graduate coordinator in your department of interest.
Tuition costs
The University of Maine graduate tuition costs are visible on the Bursar’s Office website. Note: tuition costs are subject to change each academic year.
Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 tuition & mandatory fees
Summer 2021 tuition and mandatory fees
For new students, we have created an Estimated Graduate Tuition and Fees Calculator to aid in budgeting potential costs. Keep in mind, this is purely an estimate and actual costs will depend on program, residency, and credit load.
How to find open positions & funding opportunities
Open Positions
Open assistantship positions can be found through the following avenues:
- CareerLink: instructions on how to use CareerLink.
- Academic programs: check with the graduate coordinator for your program for available financial support.
- Offices on campus (work-study and non-work-study).
- Common offices with work-study positions include, but are not limited to: Office of Admissions, Graduate School, Bodwell Volunteer Center, Student Affairs, International Programs, Student Financial Aid, and Student Employment
- Asking other faculty, staff, and students in areas of interest to you.
Funding Opportunities
Note: the following list does not reflect all potential open positions or opportunities.
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Graduate Assistant – Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
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The Student Financial Aid Office and Bursar’s Office – Graduate Assistantship
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Student Wellness Resource Center Graduate Assistantship
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Graduate Assistant – The Graduate School
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Visiting Lecturer of Biology – University of Maine Presque Isle
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Graduate Assistant – Campus Recreation Front Desk Operations
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2022-2023 Graduate School Award Recipients Announced