AID ELIGIBILITY

Financial Aid Offers are unique to each student and are based on a variety of factors. File the FAFSA on time each year (March 1st for incoming first years and continuing students) to be considered for the maximum amount of aid available.

what if I’m selected for verification?

Your need is calculated based on the University of Maine’s cost of attendance (COA) and your specific Student Aid Index (SAI).  This is based on the information submitted on the FAFSA.

Your financial aid offer is based on the assumption that you will enroll in 15 credits per semester.  Some types of aid, including merit scholarships and institutional grants, will be adjusted for students who enroll in less than 15 credits at the start of each semester.

Living on campus, off campus, or with parents is based on the information reported on your FAFSA, and changes must be reported in MaineStreet under Accept/Decline Awards.

Your grade level determines your federal student loan amount. This is based on the number of credits that you’ve earned so far, including transfer credits.
First Year: 0 – 23 credits
Sophomore: 24 – 53 credits
Junior: 54 – 83 credits
Senior: 84 or more credits

Your residency– whether you are in-state, out of state, or eligible for the NEBHE regional tuition break program– is determined by the Admissions Office at the time of your acceptance.

cost of attendance info

Whether you are dependent or independent for FAFSA purposes is based on your answers to the dependency questions on the FAFSA.

FAFSA Dependency questions

What if I’m Selected for Verification?

If you are selected for a federal process called verification, you will be required to complete and submit all verification forms listed on your MaineStreet To-Do List and submit your up-to-date tax information. Documents should be submitted by May 1st (incoming first year and all returning students) or July 1st (incoming transfer students) in order to be considered on-time. Documents submitted after this date will still be accepted, but will be considered late.

You should provide your updated tax information by making a correction to your submitted FAFSA application using the IRS Direct Data Exchange.

If you are not eligible to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange, a copy of your official tax transcript must be submitted. Click here for specific directions on requesting a tax return transcript.