INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship Program

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The University of Maine is committed to making an education at Maine’s Flagship University affordable and accessible to Maine students.

The INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship Program guarantees grant and/or scholarship funding, to qualifying Maine residents, covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at UMaine for up to 8 semesters over 4 years, or 120 credits, whichever comes first.

Eligibility Criteria

PATHWAY 1

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Maine resident
  • First-time, first-year and new transfer, undergraduate students, applying and accepted to the University of Maine for Summer or Fall, pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
  • Eligible for Federal Pell Grant and an SAI (Student Aid Index) from the FAFSA of less than 6,655 (maximum SAI is subject to change each year based on federally set Pell Grant amounts).
Potential Award Amount:

  • 100% of tuition and mandatory fees covered by grants and/or scholarships

PATHWAY 2

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Maine resident
  • First-time, first-year and new transfer, undergraduate students, applying and accepted to the University of Maine for Summer or Fall, pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
  • Qualifying family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and assets, as calculated on the FAFSA, of less than $75,000
Potential Award Amounts:

  • 100% of tuition and mandatory fees covered by grants and/or scholarships

Renewal Criteria

PATHWAY 1

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMaine’s March 1st Priority Filing Deadline.
  • If you are selected for verification, submit all requested information by the deadline listed each year.
  • Continue to meet initial eligibility criteria:
    • Eligible for Federal Pell Grant and an SAI (Student Aid Index) from the FAFSA of less than 6,655 (maximum SAI is subject to change each year based on federally set Pell Grant amounts).
  • Maintain minimum full-time enrollment (12 credits) during the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher each academic year.
  • Meet UMaine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy each year.  Visit umaine.edu/stuaid/sap for more information.

PATHWAY 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMaine’s March 1st Priority Filing Deadline.
  • If you are selected for verification, submit all requested information by the deadline listed each year.
  • Continue to meet initial eligibility criteria:
    • Qualifying family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and assets, as calculated on the FAFSA, of less than $75,000
  • Maintain minimum full-time enrollment (12 credits) during the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher each academic year.
  • Meet UMaine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy each year.  Visit umaine.edu/stuaid/sap for more information.

Additional Information about INSPIRE Maine Pathways

What is the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship Program and what does it cover?

UMaine covers 100% of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for up to five years for students who:

  • Pathway 1
    • Maine resident
    • First-time, first-year and new transfer, undergraduate students, applying and accepted to the University of Maine for Summer or Fall, pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
    • Eligible for Federal Pell Grant and an SAI (Student Aid Index) from the FAFSA of less than 6,655 (maximum SAI is subject to change each year based on federally set Pell Grant amounts).
  • Pathway 2
    • Maine resident
    • First-time, first-year and new transfer, undergraduate students, applying and accepted to the University of Maine for Summer or Fall, pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
    • Qualifying family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and assets, as calculated on the FAFSA, of less than $75,000

SAI, income, and assets are verified each academic year during the financial aid application process and the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship Program requires students to apply by the FAFSA priority filing deadline each year.  The scholarship is applicable to Fall and Spring semesters during a given academic year.

What is the difference between Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 and how will I know which one I qualify for?

The main difference between the two scholarship pathways is the qualifying eligibility.  Students remain in the Pathway that is determined at the time of initial eligibility, provided that renewal criteria is met each year.

When you receive your official financial aid package, the name of your INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship will indicate which pathway you have qualified for.

What is tuition and what fees are covered?

Tuition is the charge the student will be billed for their courses during a given semester. Fees covered are full-time, mandatory university fees as defined by the Office of Student Financial Services.  Additional details about mandatory fees can be found at umaine.edu/sfs/tuition-and-fees.

How is tuition covered?

UMaine considers all sources of grant and/or scholarship funding when determining eligibility for the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship. All sources (including Merit Scholarships, Federal Pell Grant, State of Maine Grant, Federal Supplemental Grant, and any other institutional grants or scholarships) will be totaled and UMaine will cover any gap between the total amount of tuition and fees covered.

Will the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship cover all of my credits that I take during a semester at UMaine?

The amount of your INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship is based on a maximum enrollment of 30 credits for the academic year.  If you plan on taking more or less than 15 credits each semester, your INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship is subject to adjustments based on number of credits taken.

Will I get the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship for my entire education at UMaine?

Students are eligible to receive the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship for a maximum of 8 semesters over 4 years, or 120 credits, whichever comes first.

How do I know if I am Pell Grant eligible and have a qualifying SAI (to meet eligibility for Pathway 1)?

When you submit your completed FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).  This summary will indicate what your Student Aid Index (SAI) is and if you are potentially eligible for Federal Pell Grant.

Please note, if you are selected for a federal review process called Verification, you will be required to submit additional information to our office before your SAI is considered final. In some cases, an SAI, and eligibility for the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship may change after the verification process.

What is considered when looking at family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and assets to meet eligibility for Pathway 2?

UMaine will review the income information from the FAFSA.  Family AGI is the total of student and contributor(s) (for dependent students) wages, earnings from a business, or other self-employment.

Assets are reviewed from the information and provided on the FAFSA and is the total of savings/checking and investment net worth for student and parent (for dependent students).

Is the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship automatically given every year, or am I reconsidered based on family AGI and assets each year?

Your eligibility for the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship is reviewed annually, at the end of the Spring semester. You must meet the following criteria to continue to be eligible:

  • Pathway 1:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMaine’s March 1st Priority Filing Deadline.
    • If you are selected for verification, submit all requested information by the deadline listed each year.
    • Continue to meet initial eligibility criteria:
      • Eligible for Federal Pell Grant and an SAI (Student Aid Index) from the FAFSA of less than 6,655 (maximum SAI is subject to change each year based on federally set Pell Grant amounts).
    • Maintain minimum full-time enrollment (12 credits) during the Fall and Spring semesters.
    • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher each academic year.
    • Meet UMaine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy each year.  Visit umaine.edu/stuaid/sap for more information.
  • Pathway 2:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMaine’s March 1st Priority Filing Deadline.
    • If you are selected for verification, submit all requested information by the deadline listed each year.
    • Continue to meet initial eligibility criteria:
      • Qualifying family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and assets, as calculated on the FAFSA, of less than $75,000
    • Maintain minimum full-time enrollment (12 credits) during the Fall and Spring semesters.
    • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher each academic year.
    • Meet UMaine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy each year.  Visit umaine.edu/stuaid/sap for more information.

Will I receive the same INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship each year I remain eligible?

The amount of the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship is evaluated each year and is based on the most up-to-date FAFSA information, therefore scholarship amounts are subject to change in subsequent academic years.

Can my eligibility for the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship change if you have asked to review additional documents or information?

If you were selected for verification and are required to submit additional information to finalize your financial aid application process, your eligibility for the program AND the amount of the scholarship is contingent on the submission of this information by the verification document deadline of May 1st.  Your eligibility may also be affected if the information submitted is different than what was originally reported to us.

Can I attend part-time and still get the INPSIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship?

No.  You must be enrolled in at least 12 credits (full-time enrollment) in order to receive the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship.

The amount of your INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship is based on a maximum enrollment of 15 credits each semester. If you plan on taking more or less than 15 credits, your INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship is subject to adjustments based on number of credits taken.

My INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship shows as less than my full tuition on my financial aid offer.  Why?

Other grants and scholarships, including the Federal Pell Grant, the State of Maine Grant, merit scholarships, and other University grants and scholarships contribute to the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship tuition program. In these cases, UMaine makes up the difference to cover up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees using the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship.

When is my GPA reviewed to maintain my scholarship eligibility?

The Office of Student Financial Services will evaluate your cumulative GPA each academic year, at the end of the spring semester to determine if you have met the minimum requirements to renew your scholarship eligibility.

If I do not meet the GPA requirements for renewal after my first year, can I appeal to keep my scholarship?

Students not meeting the GPA requirements will be sent official notification via the MaineStreet Message Center.  The notification will detail the appeal process and timeline.