Scholarships

Explore financial aid opportunities you don’t have to repay later

There are many different types of scholarships with a broad range of eligibility requirements. Some scholarships can be awarded automatically when you apply for admission based on your prior academic performance while others may require a separate application or even a nomination from faculty. You can explore scholarships by student type, special interest, or affiliation. The merit scholarship program at the University of Southern Maine is made possible by our community of generous donors. Please join us in expressing our appreciation to them for their support by sharing your stories at this link: Scholarship Thank-You Form

Find scholarships by student type

Scholarships
Scholarship	General Eligibility	Award	Deadline
President’s Scholar Award	Merit Scholarship All qualified incoming first-year students are automatically considered 3.5 and above GPA (on a 4.0 scale)	Award: Annual range $4,000 to $11,000	Deadline: April 1
Dirigo Scholar Award	Merit Scholarship 3.0 – 3.49 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)	Award: Annual range $2,000 to $10,000	Deadline: April 1
USM Scholar Award	Merit Scholarship 2.67 – 2.99 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)	Award: Annual range $1,000 to $7,000	Deadline: April 1
USM First Year Residence Hall Scholarship	Must indicate housing interest at time of admission. Students must take a minimum of 12 credits during Fall and Spring semesters. Scholarship eligibility requires living on campus.	Award: $1,000	Deadline: April 1
Mountains to the Sea Scholarship	Residents of New Hampshire or Vermont Completed USM application and FAFSA Full-time student with at least 12 credits per semester Cannot be combined with other Merit Scholarships	Award: Annual award amount of $2,000 to $4,000	Deadline: April 1
Anne Randolph Henry Scholarship	Music Major Demonstrated financial need Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA appropriate to career level Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Undergraduate; 6 cr. Graduate) Enrolled in applied music and appropriate ensembles	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Christopher ’04 and Lavinia ’04 Gelineau Memorial Scholarship	Cybersecurity, Information Technology, English or Foreign Languages major Preference may be given to students who are serving in the Maine National Guard, a resident of Maine or Vermont, an immigrant who aspires to US citizenship, and, a meaningful experience that may be external to USM.	Award: $1,000	Deadline: June 15
Churchill Family Music Scholarship	Music major - vocal Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Dr. and Mrs. Newell A. Augur, Jr. Scholarship	Music major Maine State resident preferred Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA. ( 2.67 Undergraduate; 3.00 Graduate) Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Undergraduate; 6 cr. Graduate)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Edith Speziali Music Scholarship	Music major Enrolled full time (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA ( 2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Elizabeth S. Hagar Endowed Music Scholarship	Music major. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 Enroll in applied music and appropriate ensembles. Enrolled full time	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Ellen Chickering Music Scholarship	Music Vocal Major Enrolled full time Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 (Ugrd); 3.00 (Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Helen Heel Music Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Herbert & Sally Carroll Payson Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 (Ugrd); 3.00 (Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Honors Leadership Development Scholarship	Honors Minor Minimum of 3.5 GPA Currently enrolled in Honors classes	Award: $1,000 per semester	Deadline: Priority Deadline November 1st
Jerry Bowder Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 (Ugrd); 3.00 (Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Madeleine D. Giguère Scholarship	USM degree student (Graduate or Undergraduate) Must express interest in Franco-American community Enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester	Award: Varies	Deadline: May 1
Music Merit Scholarship	Music major Enrolled full time (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Music Talent Scholarship	Music major Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Peter Martin Music Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Promise Scholarship	be an admitted, incoming first-year or transfer undergraduate to USM be a full-time resident of Maine demonstrate financial need demonstrate a commitment to community service and civic engagement (preferred) be a first-generation college student (preferred) be referred from a partnering youth-serving organization (preferred)	Award: Awards are multi-year and vary based upon a student’s eligibility for other federal, state, and institutional aid.	Deadline: March 15
Robert Russell Music Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Roberta and Joseph A. Zinni Music Scholarship	Music major. Enrolled full time Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
Ronald Cole Music Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Ugrd; 6 cr. Grad) Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 Ugrd; 3.00 Grad)	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28
USM Access Scholarship	Students must not eligible to file a FAFSA for Federal Student Aid (including loans) First Year, Continuing, or Transfer Student Matriculated into a degree program at USM Preference Given to Maine Residents	Award: Amount Varies	Deadline: June 15th
USM Alumni Association Scholarship	Children, grandchildren, or spouses of USM alumni Demonstrate Financial Need on FAFSA Incoming Admitted Student	Award: Varies	Deadline: May 1
William Bingham, II Scholarship	Music Major Enrolled full time Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA appropriate to career level	Award: Varies	Deadline: February 28

Find scholarships by special interest

The following scholarships are not associated with a particular student type or area of study. These include scholarships for students with interests such as studying abroad, the ROCC Program, and voluntary public service.

Scholarships
Scholarship	General Eligibility	Award	Deadline
Mondor Memorial Scholarship	Preference for students self-identifying as in recovery from addiction Minimum 2.25 GPA Demonstrated Financial Need Undergraduate (taking a minimum of 6 credit hours) or graduate (taking a minimum of 3 credit hours)	Award: $1,000 each award	Deadline: Priority deadline of August 1st
ROCC Gratitude Annual Scholarship	Preference will be given to students who self-identify as in recovery for alcohol and/or drug addiction. Undergraduate student Enrolled Full-Time (minimum 12 credit hours) Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 Demonstrated Financial Need	Award: Annual awards of up to $2,500 per semester or $5,000 per year, may be awarded for each student, as funds are available.	Deadline: Priority Deadline of August 1st
SMRT Stevens Scholarship	Study in an academic area that supports Architect and Engineering professions Demonstrate Financial Need Enroll in at least 6 credits per semester	Award: Varies	Deadline: June 15th

Find scholarships by affiliation

Affiliation scholarships are for students who are connected with specific places or families. A scholarship may require an affiliation to a company or organization, or to be a descendant of a particular family.

University of Maine System affiliation scholarships

Please send an email to Norma Catalano for more information regarding the following scholarships.

Deadline: February 28th

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Sylvio Normandeau Scholarship

Scholarship awards shall be awarded to descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert S. Normandeau attending any campus of the University of Maine System. It will be the responsibility of the recipients to provide to the University of Maine Office of Student Financial Aid evidence of their relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Herbert S. Normandeau (regardless of which University of Maine System campus they are attending.)

Dorothy Menzies Bostwick Pi Beta Phi Memorial Scholarship

Recipients shall be limited to heirs of Dorothy Menzies Bostwick who are attending college at any campus of the University of Maine System.

James W. Hastings Family Fund

Recipients shall be limited to meritorious descendants of James W. Hastings with financial need, must be taking a minimum of 12 credits a semester and demonstrate financial need.

The Gordon Erikson and Dorothy B. Erikson Scholarship Fund

Established in memory of Arthur H. Porter, Sr. and Dorothy V. Porter, preference for the scholarship is given to students who are descendants of Arthur H. Porter, Sr. and Dorothy V. Porter attending any campus in the University of Maine System.

The Philip J. and Muriel F. Brockway ’31, ’32 Scholarship

Recipients shall be limited to worthy and needy undergraduate students within the University of Maine System who are descendants of Philip and Muriel Brockway.

The University of Maine Class of 1970 Scholarship

First consideration given to sons and daughters of University of Maine Class of 1970 alumni. Second consideration given to younger brothers and sisters of Class of 1970 alumni.

The Edward and Lea Anne Cote Scholarship Fund

Preference is given to undergraduate students who are descendants of Edward and Lea Anne Cote. Students should be able to document their relationship to Edward and Lea Anne Cote.

Bath Iron Works Scholarship Fund

Undergraduate applicant should be a son or daughter of a current or retired BIW employee; accepted into a degree program at the University of Southern Maine; applied for financial aid; have demonstrated financial need; and must be in good academic standing. Certification is required on part 2 of the USM scholarship application by a BIW personnel officer, to include the employee’s name, position with company, and number of years employed on the application. Note: This scholarship has been fully awarded for the 2024/25 academic year.

The Jay Foundation Scholarship

Recipients shall be limited to members in good standing of the Maine AFL-CIO, their spouses, and their dependents as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Students with financial need receive priority consideration. Certification is required on part 2 of the USM scholarship application by an AFL-CIO personnel officer or human resources officer, to include the employee’s name, position with company, and number of years employed on the application.

The Mid Coast Maine AAUW Scholarship

Awarded to financially need students who graduated high school from:

Lincoln County
Knox County
Waldo County

Applicants must submit the USM Application for UMaine System Scholarships accompanied by an essay describing educational, personal, and career goals. Must include a letter of recommendation from a professor, and employer, or community member. A preference is given to those applicants who have engaged in community service or extracurricular activities or who possess special skills (including, but not limited to managing horse farms, lobster fishing, nursing training or musical abilities).

Apply now

Other affiliation scholarships

Awarded to full-time or seasonal employees (within last 12 months) or to children, stepchildren, or grandchildren of current CPM employees majoring in engineering, technology, or business.

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Awarded to children, stepchildren, or grandchildren of current Gorham Savings Bank employees.

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Awarded to Maine Residents pursuing a major related to a career in building (e.g. Engineering or Architecture) and involved in a career or industry related professional organization (e.g. CSI).

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Awarded to a current employee or child of an employee. Current employee must be employed at Webber Energy Fuels for the last 2 years.

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Awarded to undergraduate students matriculated in the University of Maine System who are children, stepchildren and grandchildren of Sebago Technics’ current employees.

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Awarded to students attending a University of Maine System school who have participated in Maine 4-H.

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Professor Mark Monnin working with a student

Faculty-nominated scholarships

Our faculty want to get to know you and care about your success — academically, personally, and financially. Since some scholarships are awarded to students nominated by a faculty member, it can only help you to be more engaged in the classroom and get to know your professors.

External scholarships

In addition to scholarships provided by our university, there are many external scholarship opportunities provided by state, national, and global organizations. Explore external scholarships and resources.

awarded in scholarships each year

students take advantage of financial aid each year

offered in grants each year to our students

Disclaimer: Be sure to read the criteria for individual scholarships carefully. Most scholarships have enrollment and GPA requirements. Award amounts may vary each year and are subject to fund availability. As an NCAA Division III school, USM is prohibited from awarding scholarships based on athletic participation.