Congratulations on your admission to the University of Southern Maine! Are you ready to join our community?
Six different colored sticky notes arranged in a grid pattern with a pen laying across the last one. Clockwise from top left, the notes read: complete FAFSA, confirm enrollment, activate maine.edu account, orientation, schedule meeting with advisor, and apply for housing.

Important next steps

There are some important steps you must complete before attending your first class. Keep your acceptance packet handy and find out how to enroll in courses, submit your immunization records, attend orientation, and connect with student services.

A small mortarboard replica resting on top of a pile of several denominations of U.S. dollar bills.

Financial aid

We believe education should be affordable and are committed to helping you navigate the financial aid process so you can focus on your studies. We’ll help you understand your options: from scholarships to student loans and completing your FAFSA.

Two people seated at a table working together on a project.

Assistantships

Our Graduate Assistantship program allows you to develop professional skills, gain valuable work experience, and earn valuable financial support. We have roles for graduate assistants, research assistants, and teaching assistants across the University.

Our Office of Graduate Studies staff grouped in one of our gathering spaces on campus.

We’re here to support you

Our Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) is focused on meeting your individual needs and fostering an equitable, empowered, and interconnected student community. They can connect you with advisors and mentors, help you find scholarships and financial assistance, and offer professional development opportunities to help you shape the future you want.

On the left, alternating diagonal mass timbers frame the portico of our new Career & Student Success Center. On the right, two wings of our Portland Commons residence hall are visible.

New buildings on our Portland campus

Our new eco-conscious McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success and Portland Commons residence hall are open! The new buildings offer student services, a dining hall, plenty of lounge and study areas, our University Store, and even a café and brewpub. Housing is available for ages 22+ with the option for 12-month contracts.

Explore the new buildings
Professor Ira Levine holding up a beaker of algae in a lab. He is looking past two additional beakers to the camera.

Our respected faculty

Our full-time faculty remain active in their fields (business leaders, acclaimed authors and artists, etc.), feature multiple Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellows, and nearly 90% hold a PhD from well-established and highly-regarded universities. They’re dedicated to helping you connect research and theory from the classroom to hands-on practicums, placements, and projects in the community.

A person wearing a black sweater and writing on a piece of oversized paper taped to the wall.

Graduate student research

Research will be an integral component of your coursework, capstone project, and thesis and dissertation development. With support from our faculty and professional research staff, you could find yourself performing solution-oriented inquiry and analysis, co-authoring published research articles and reports, and other enhanced career opportunities or professional development.

Did you know?

  • We offer 100+ Graduate Assistantships each year to help offset your tuition costs and provide valuable professional experience.
  • Our faculty are leading researchers, scholars, and practitioners in their fields.
  • You’ll work closely with faculty and researchers to explore and create new learning in a broad range of fields.
  • You could be eligible for a variety of scholarships if you meet criteria such as financial need, academic achievement, leadership skills, and more.