Welcome to the Husky Family!
As a newly accepted first year or transfer student there are steps you will need to complete before you can enroll in courses and start your first semester as a USM student. Recently Readmitted students must also follow these steps before they can sign-up for courses.
Please review the steps listed below.
This page has active links to assist you in the process. Questions about the Orientation Process or any of the steps listed below may be directed to usm.orientation@maine.edu or 207-780-4604.
STAGE 1: SECURING YOUR SPOT
Time to make it official!
Use the activation code and directions found in your acceptance packet to get started. Your University of Maine System student account gives you access to your University email, MaineStreet, and many other programs. University Email is used to communicate official University business (to both accepted and enrolled students) and should be activated and monitored as soon as possible. MaineStreet is the online system where you access your University records. If you need a new activation code, contact:
usm.maine.edu/information-technology/it-help-desk | help@maine.edu | (207) 780-4029
This $100 deposit is required to matriculate at USM and reserve your place in the entering class. It will be credited to your student account. Payment for your undergraduate degree enrollment deposit can be made online with a credit card or check (fees may apply), by mail with a check or money order, or over the phone by credit card.
Checks should be made payable to USM and sent to the Office of Admissions.
Office of Admissions, University of Southern Maine, PO Box 9300, Portland, Maine, 04104
Pay Your Deposit | admitusm@maine.edu | 207-780-5670 or toll-free 1-800-800-4USM.
If you would like to be considered for Federal Financial Aid you must complete the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Priority consideration for financial aid is given to applications received by USM by February 1. The Federal Processor must receive your completed FAFSA data by January 15 to reach USM by our priority deadline. If you have missed the priority deadline, that’s OK! You may still submit the FAFSA and be considered for aid.
Financial aid offers for fall admits are typically available starting in March. Check the Financial Aid website for information on FAFSA and scholarships.
USM Federal School Code—009762
Financial Aid Webpage I usm.finaid@maine.edu | 207-780-5250
If you plan to live in on-campus housing, you are required to:
1) Complete our online housing application
2) Pay a $75 housing deposit (via check, money order, or through MaineStreet)
Housing assignments are made based on the completed housing application date and course registration date, so you are encouraged to apply and enroll in classes as soon as possible.
Residential Life Webpage I Email Res Life I 207-780-5240
Information on how to request disability-related housing or meal plan accommodations.
STAGE 2: ENROLLING IN COURSES
Learn all about USM and your personal academic pathway!
As a new first-year, transfer, or readmitted student you will review this online course in Brightspace. This 15-20 minute course covers information about key University resources, dates, required testing, and documentation. This course is also where you submit your preferences
More information will be sent to your University email (if you are having difficulty accessing your University account- please contact our IT Desk). Typically this email is sent within two (2) business days of when your Enrollment Deposit is processed. Holidays and weekends can impact when this email is sent.
New Student Course Available: For Fall admits in April, for Spring admits in November, and for Summer admits in February.
How to Access the New Student Course | Email Orientation at usm.orientation@maine.edu | 207-780-4604
The ALEKS ensures that you are enrolled in the appropriate courses. Therefore, it should be completed before attending your Advising & Course Selection (ACS) appointment as the results will be used to determine which math course you will need to take. On-Campus drop-in testing dates are offered throughout the year.
If you have questions about the math placement, please contact Advising or Academic Assessment
ALEKS Math Placement Information | 207-780-4681 (Academic Assessment) | 207-780- 4040 (Advising)
The ACS appointment is a required meeting for all new first-year, transfer, and readmitted USM students. During your ACS appointment, you will meet 1-on-1 with an Academic Advisor to review degree requirements, discuss any transfer credits, and sign up for your first semester of USM courses. You may schedule this appointment to occur while you are still enrolled in high school or another university. Instructions on how to schedule your ACS appointment will be sent to your University email.
We strongly encourage you to schedule your ACS appointment for the earliest date possible to ensure that you will have the greatest selection of course subjects and times from which to choose.
ACS Appointments Start: for Fall admits in May, for Spring admits in December, and for Summer admits in March.
Orientation & First Year Experience (OFYE) Webpage | Email OFYE | 207-780-4604
An official evaluation of your transferable college credits will be processed soon after your acceptance to USM. You will receive an email from our Transfer Affairs staff once your Transfer Credit Report is available in your MaineStreet Student Center.
You must submit all final college transcripts to USM in order to receive academic credit for any courses in progress at the time of application to USM.
Visit our application instructions page and see the “Where to Send Admission Materials” section to learn where to send your final transcripts.
STAGE 3: GETTING READY FOR COURSES
Go get that 4.0 GPA, Husky!
Students born after 1956 must comply with the Maine Post-Secondary Immunization Law. Documentation of your immunization compliance should be submitted before or shortly after attending your Advising & Course Selection (ACS) appointment. Students taking all classes online are exempt from this requirement.
The deadline to submit documentation:
For students starting in the Fall semester- October 1.
For students starting in the Spring semester- March 1.
To learn how to provide your records or to find more information, contact University Health & Counseling.
University Health Services Webpage | Email UHS | 207-780-5411
At the end of your Advising and Course Selection (ACS) appointment, you will be given a checklist to help you prepare for the start of classes. Items on this checklist include things such as: purchasing textbooks, paying your tuition bill, managing emergency notification preferences, obtaining your student ID card, registering for an Orientation session, completing required pieces of training, and more.
Registered Student Checklist | usm.orientation@maine.edu | 207-780-4604
Order your Textbooks from the online bookstore. Have a copy of your schedule handy, so you can shop by your courses. https://usm.ecampus.com/shop-by-course
University Orientation Sessions bring new students together on-campus or via the internet to give them a chance to acclimate to USM. These sessions occur shortly before the first day of classes and focus on acquainting the student with campus offices and resources, meeting other students, and taking care of last-minute details.
Veterans, servicemembers, dependents, and survivors using the GI Bill must submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to our office.
Request a copy of your Joint Services Transcript for evaluation.
Veteran Services Webpage | Email Veterans Services | 207-780-4471
Did you have a 504/IEP in high school or receive accommodations at your last college/university? Do you have a documented disability?
Contact the Disability Services Center (DSC) as soon as possible to request a meeting to learn about our services and request accommodations. To set up an appointment: complete the form at usm.maine.edu/dsc/dsc-initial-appointment-form or call the number listed below.
Disability Services Center (DSC) Webpage | Email DSC | 207-780-4706 | TTY: 207-780-4395
Get credit for what you know! The Office for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) offers ways for qualified students to earn credit by demonstrating college-level learning learned from work, volunteer, or life experience. We do this through exams, reviews of state, national, or industry certifications, and academic portfolio assessments. We also post credits for students who have successfully passed Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams in high school, or have earned a Seal of Biliteracy from their state’s Department of Education.
PLA Webpage | Email PLA | 207-780-4663
Questions about the Orientation process or any of the steps listed above may be directed to usm.orientation@maine.edu or 207-780-4604.