Prospective Students
Returning Students
Returning students may have to provide an updated application, program agreement and eligibility documentation. If you are a returning student who has been out of school since 2001, you will need to update your file with new tribal documentation dated no earlier than January 2010. Please check with the UMS North American Indian Waiver Office at 207.581.1417 with questions about your return.
How to Apply for New Applicants
- North American Natives check the American Indian box your admission application.
- Apply for the Native American Waiver and Educational Program, and Room & Board Grant only after receiving an acceptance letter for the University which you applied for. A copy of the application can be obtained by calling the UMS N.A.W.E.P and Room & Board Grant Office at 207-581-1417.
- Do not send any proof of tribal affiliation with your University of Maine (any campus) application.
- New applicants must complete an application form and sign the program guidelines to be considered for the program.
Original documentation is required and it is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain clear documentation that proves membership to descendancy to a Wabanaki tribal member. (See Determining Eligibility to learn what documentation is required for your classification – Members of Maine Tribes, Members of Other tribes, Descendants of Wabanaki).
The University of Maine System North American Indian Waiver and Room & Board Grant Office, located at the Wabanaki Center, is able to assist new applicants with any questions they may have about the University and inform applicants of what services are available and how to access them.
You may make an appointment with the Waiver Coordinator at the UMS Native American Indian Waiver and Educational Program, and Room & Board Grant Office at the Wabanaki Center by calling 207.581.1417. During your appointment, we will tell you about the services available to you, and assist you with any questions that you may have about the University.
A reasonable time frame for consideration of the program is as follows:
- For the Fall semester, application and FAFSA MUST be completed by September 1st.
- For the Spring semester, application and FAFSA MUST be completed by January 1st
- For the Summer term, application and FAFSA MUST be completed by May 1st
Each applicant is responsible for all their original documentation. The UMS N.A.W.E.P and Room & Board Grant Office will not consider any documentation not provided by the applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to prove membership or Wabanaki Descendancy?
There are two methods of proving membership or Wabanaki Descendancy: Either Proof of Eligibility documentation faxed directly from tribal/band office OR originals hand-carried to the Wabanaki Center to be photocopied. We cannot accept faxes from locations other than tribal/band offices, and we cannot accept photocopies.
My adoptive parent is an enrolled member, am I eligible?
If a native person who is an enrolled member of a tribe/band has adopted you, but you are not a tribal member, or of biological direct descent, you do not qualify for the waiver.
I want to live on campus, is there anything additional I need to do?
If you are interested in acquiring on-campus housing, you will need to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This may allow you to qualify for the on-campus room and board grant program or allow you to determine whether or not you may qualify for state or federal funds. You can either visit the FAFSA website, or contact your campus Financial Aid Office. Please make sure you have completed every step on the application. This is your responsibility and completing this in a timely manner can only benefit you.
A family member is in the program, can you just use their documentation for my application?
In considering your application to the N.A.W.E.P, we will ONLY consider the required documents that you yourself or your tribe/band provided to us. This constitutes a case-by-case consideration of application.