---

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

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

• Pathway 1
  • Maine resident
  • First-time, first-year, undergraduate student, applying and accepted to the University of Maine for Summer or Fall, pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
  • Eligible for Federal Pell Grant based on the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the FAFSA
  • Strong academic record with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Pathway 2
  • Maine resident
  • First-time, first-year, undergraduate student, applying and accepted to the University of Maine for Summer or Fall, pursuing a first bachelor’s degree
  • Qualifying family AGI and assets as calculated on the FAFSA

EFC, 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 Bursar’s Office.  Additional details about mandatory fees can be found at umaine.edu/bursar.

---

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 that the percentage of tuition covered that the student qualifies for.

---

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 15 credits each semester.  If you plan on taking less than 15 credits, 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 eight (8) semesters over a maximum of five (5) years.

---

How do I know if my EFC qualifies me for Federal Pell Grant (to meet eligibility for Pathway 1)?

When you submit your completed FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).  This report will indicate what your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 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 EFC is considered final. In some cases, an EFC, 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 parent (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.
  • Maintain minimum full-time enrollment (12 credits) during the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 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.
  • 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.

In addition, the FAFSA information is reviewed each year and must continue to meet EFC and AGI/asset criteria in order to retain the INSPIRE Maine Pathways Scholarship each year.

---

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 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 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 award.  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 Aid 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.

---