The Financial Aid Award

Information Your Financial Aid Award is Based on:

Financial Aid awards are unique to each student.  Your financial aid package is based on the following information that the Financial Aid Office receives:

  1. Financial Aid Need– Your need is calculated based on the University of Maine’s cost of attendance (COA) and your specific Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  This is based on the information submitted on the FAFSA.
  2. Enrollment Level– Your financial aid award is based on the assumption that you will enroll in 15 credits per semester.  Starting with the 2016-2017 academic year, some types of aid will be prorated if you enroll in fewer than 15 credits.  Award prorations will be based on enrollment levels of: 15+, 12-14, 9-11, and 6-8 credits. If you are subject to aid proration, the remaining portions of certain types of aid may be used toward tuition and fees for Summer 2017 courses. Contact the financial aid office for more information when summer registration begins.  Changes in enrollment can be reported to the Financial Aid Office through MaineStreet.
  3. Housing Plans– This is based on the information reported on your FAFSA.  If this has changed you will need report this to the Financial Aid Office, and adjustments to your financial aid award may need to be made.
    1. On/Off-Campus – The estimated cost for food and housing is same for all students regardless of whether you live in university housing or off-campus, paying for rent, food, and utilities.
    2. With Parents – Estimated expense for students reporting living with parents during the year is lower than the on/off-campus amount.
  4. Grade Level – Determines the amount of federal loans in your award.
    1. First Year: 0 – 23 credits
    2. Second Year: 24 – 53 credits
    3. Junior: 54 – 83 credits
    4. Senior: 84 or more credits
  5. Residency– Tuition and fees reflect this status.
    1. Resident– defined by the Admissions Office as a Maine resident
    2. Non-Resident- defined by the Admissions Office as an out-of-state resident
    3. NEBHE- defined by the Admissions Office as a nonresident enrolled in a specific degree program with reduced tuition rates. Visit go.umaine.edu for more details.
  6. Dependency Status– This status was determined by your responses to the dependency status questions on the FAFSA.
  7. Date Documents Submitted– If the Financial Aid Office received your FAFSA after the priority filing deadline or verification documents after the document deadline*, you may not be eligible for some types of financial aid.

Types of Aid You May Receive as an Undergraduate Student:

Grants Scholarships Loans Work Programs
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Grant
  • State of Maine Grant
  • Merit Scholarships
  • Department Scholarships
  • Federal Direct Loans
  • Federal Work-Study

How Do You Know if You Are Eligible:

If you qualify for any of the above awards they will be a part of your Financial Aid Package.  Eligibility is determined based on information received from your FAFSA. You do not need to apply separately for any of the above awards.