Scholarships do more than help students pay for college—they create opportunity. They open doors for talented students, reduce financial barriers, and make it possible for more learners to stay focused on earning a degree, pursuing their goals, and building a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
In FY2026, donor-supported scholarships provided
- more than $2.3 million in assistance to 722 students
- nearly 18% of the university’s total scholarship support
Whether you established a named scholarship, contributed to an existing fund, or invested in one of USM’s broader scholarship initiatives, your generosity helped make these life-changing opportunities possible. The stories in the following pages are just a few examples of the extraordinary Power of Us that helps our students, our University, and our communities thrive.
Your Impact
A total of 281 donor-funded scholarships keep students like Lizzy on track to complete their USM degrees and establish successful careers.
Lizzy Fogg ’26
Because of my scholarship, I was able to stay at USM even after my family hit a financial crisis in my second year. No one in my family had finished college, so navigating that path was uncharted — but here I found a support system that guided me through, all the way to graduating with two degrees, a B.A. in Theatre and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. I’ve since opened my own vocal studio, offering reduced rates to students facing the same barriers I did, and I’m now applying to grad programs for an MFA in stage directing. I’m so grateful for my time at USM and the generosity of the donors who made it possible. I hope to keep giving back the way this community gave to me.
Zachary Murphy ’28
Coming from Gray, Maine, just down the road from USM, I chose this school on a whim — and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve made. I’m on track to graduate with a B.S. in Biology, serve as a Resident Assistant, work as an Admissions tour guide, and chair the Board of Student Organizations. Long-term, I hope to build a career in higher education and student affairs, working my way toward becoming a Dean of Students or university president someday. My scholarship made it possible for me to attend USM debt-free, allowing me to fully immerse myself in campus life without the stress of financial worry. To the donors who make this possible for hundreds of students at USM — thank you. Your generosity ensures that students like me get the most out of their education, and that means everything.
In aid year 2025-26, 722 undergraduate and graduate students received a donor-funded scholarship — giving students like Zachary the freedom to invest in their full college experience, inside and outside the classroom.
Scholarships help nursing students like Hibo prepare for excellence in their field. Last year, USM’s Accelerated BSN students achieved a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate, while graduates of the Nurse Practitioner programs earned a 100% certification pass rate.
Hibo Abdi ’26
Maine has been my home for most of my life, and my big Somali family — especially my little siblings, whose trust in me to care for them sparked my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. Outside the classroom, I worked as a Personal Support Specialist, helping older adults with their daily lives — experience that has made me a better nurse before I even graduated. My scholarships have given me the financial freedom to keep that job on my own terms, focus on my studies, and still show up for my family. Since graduating, I’ve stayed in Maine — now serving my community as an ICU nurse, with dreams of pediatric care and global service still ahead. I believe an act of kindness sparks another, and I hope to use this degree to pass on what these scholarships have given me.
Your generosity means that more students can access the life-changing opportunities that a University of Southern Maine education provides. Your investment in scholarships helps remove financial barriers, allowing talented students like Lizzy, Zachary, and Hibo to pursue their education, discover their potential, and prepare to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Thank you for believing in our students and in the power of higher education to transform lives. Your support is opening doors today while strengthening Maine’s future for generations to come.