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.
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.
Assistantships
Fellowships
Scholarships
What is included in university funding
Stipend
The minimum award for an academic year position, based on 2019-2020 figures is:
- $15,825 USD for master’s students
- $17,000 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).
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 the all potential open positions or opportunities.