If you live in New England — Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont — there’s a program that could save you thousands of dollars a year at the University of Southern Maine, even as an out-of-state student.
It’s called the NEBHE Tuition Break Program, and it’s one of the most underutilized benefits available to New England students considering a public university outside their home state. Here’s what you need to know.
1.
What is the NEBHE Tuition Break Program?
The NEBHE Tuition Break Program is a tuition discount program administered by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE). It allows residents of all six New England states to attend out-of-state public colleges and universities at a significantly reduced tuition rate.
The program has been connecting New England students with educational opportunities for decades. Today, it serves more than 9,000 students annually across the region, providing an estimated $63 million in collective tuition savings each year, according to NEBHE.
The University of Southern Maine participates fully in this program.
2.
How much money can you actually save?
The short answer: a lot.
Eligible undergraduate students can save more than $11,000 per year on tuition and mandatory fees compared to the standard out-of-state rate at USM. Every student’s situation is a little different, though. Factors like your program of study, merit scholarships and financial aid can all affect your final number. The best way to get a clear picture of what this means for you is to reach out directly to USM’s Office of Student Financial Services.
The bottom line: The Tuition Break brings the cost of a USM education within striking distance of what many students would pay to stay home.
3.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is straightforward. To qualify for the NEBHE Tuition Break Program at USM, a student must:
- Be a permanent resident of one of the five other New England states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont)
- Enroll in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at USM that has been approved for the Tuition Break discount
- Attend classes in person at a USM campus
No minimum residency period is required by NEBHE. As long as a student is a recognized permanent resident of a participating New England state, they qualify.
4.
More than half of USM’s undergraduate programs qualify
One of the most compelling aspects of the Tuition Break Program at USM is the breadth of eligible programs. More than 40 degree programs at USM are currently approved for NEBHE Tuition Break eligibility, representing more than half of USM’s undergraduate offerings. Eligible programs span a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Management — our most popular Tuition Break program at USM
- Electrical and computer, industrial, and mechanical engineering
- Music, theatre, and art
- Public health and public policy through the Muskie School of Public Service
- Criminology and linguistics (available to select New England residents)
- Computer science, cybersecurity, and more
New programs are reviewed annually for eligibility — and the list continues to grow.
5.
Eligibility doesn’t depend on what your home state offers
Many students assume the Tuition Break Program only applies if a specific program isn’t available in their home state. That was true under NEBHE’s original specialized programs policy — but USM participates in the Flexible Policy designation.
Under this policy, approved programs at USM are open to eligible residents of all participating states, regardless of whether a similar program exists at home. If a program is listed and approved for USM, a student from anywhere in New England can access the Tuition Break rate — even if their home state’s public university offers something similar.
6.
Your eligibility travels with your program — not just your admission
One thing worth understanding about the Tuition Break Program is that your eligibility is tied to the program you’re enrolled in, not simply the fact that you were admitted.
The good news: If you switch majors, you don’t automatically lose the benefit. As long as your new program is also NEBHE Tuition Break-eligible at USM, your eligibility carries over. Are you a current USM student, or have you already enrolled at USM as an incoming student but are thinking about making a change? It’s a good idea to have that conversation early with your academic advisor at USM so you know exactly where you stand. You should already be in contact with them, but if you lost their details, connect with the team.
Yet to enroll at USM and have specific questions about how the Tuition Break rate applies to your situation? We’re here to advise you – USM’s Office of Student Financial Services and admissions team are the right people to ask.
7.
You don’t have to fill out a separate application
This is one of the most common misconceptions about the program. Students do not submit a separate application to NEBHE.
The process works like this: A student applies to USM through the standard admissions process and declares their intended program of study. If that program is approved for Tuition Break eligibility, the reduced regional tuition rate is automatically applied to their account once they are admitted and enrolled. Students are encouraged to confirm their Tuition Break status with USM’s admissions office after acceptance.
8.
Three of USM’s Polymath Pathways qualify — and that’s a big deal in savings!
USM’s Polymath Pathways are a distinctive academic option that allow students to earn a single bachelor’s degree spanning two disciplines. For students from other New England states, three of the five current Polymath Pathway programs are eligible for the NEBHE Tuition Break rate:
- Philosophy and Finance Polymath Pathway, B.A.
- Philosophy and Biology Polymath Pathway, B.A.
- Art and Psychology Polymath Pathway, B.A.
For prospective students interested in interdisciplinary study, this combination of academic breadth and tuition affordability is unique to USM among New England public universities.
9.
Why New England students choose to study at USM in Gorham and Portland, Maine
Southern Maine is your campus at the University of Southern Maine. While the NEBHE Tuition Break Program helps address the question of cost, students don’t choose a university on price alone.
At USM, students get the best of both worlds — often commuting between the Portland and Gorham campuses on any given day with each hosting classes, state-of-the-art labs, student events, and resources. Gorham is a classic New England college town. It’s home to residential campus life and Division III athletics, surrounded by some of the region’s best outdoor recreation, from hiking and skiing to paddling and everything in between.
Portland is Maine’s largest city, known nationally for its food scene and waterfront, with a growing economy and expanding opportunities in health care, technology, business and the creative industries. The two campuses are just 11 miles apart, connected by the Husky Bus Line, a free transit service operated in partnership with Greater Portland Metro. That combination is genuinely rare — the energy of a city and the character of a college town, seamlessly connected. Not to mention, Portland was recently named the best college town in Maine.
