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
Alfond Ambassador Scholarship	Must maintain good academic standing and continuous, full-time student status throughout the program (exceptions can be made for approved leaves). Maintain full-time status Participate in all Alfond Ambassador program-related activities Travel to Greater Portland area, or other locations, for in-person events as scheduled Post-graduate professional employment in the field of study and in Maine is strongly encouraged but not a requirement of program participation	Award: $12,000	Deadline: March 21
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
Boulos Veterans Promise Completion Scholarship	USM Veteran Demonstrate financial need Be in good academic standing Within 30 credits of completing bachelors degree or within 12 credits of completing graduate degree	Award: Varies	Deadline: Rolling Application
Charles J. and Judith F. ’87G Micoleau Scholarship	N/A	Award: $1000	Deadline: Priority Deadline May 1
ChrisAlice Scholarship	Matriculated into a Muskie Graduate Program Outstanding academic record Commitment to Public Service Financial need	Award: $1,000 or more	Deadline: May 1
Donald E. Nicoll / Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Policy Board of Visitors Scholarship	Eligible students must be matriculated in a program at the Muskie School.	Award: Varies	Deadline: Priority Deadline May 1
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
E. June Clark and Irene Watson Nursing Scholarship	Accelerated Nursing Program (ABSN) Student or student otherwise already holding a Bachelor's Degree Certified nurse assistant or comparable credentials or status Completed FAFSA	Award: The number and amount of the award(s) will be based on available income.	Deadline: January 31
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
Edmund S. Muskie Memorial Scholarship	Matriculated into Muskie Program	Award: Varies	Deadline: Priority Deadline May 1
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
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
Key Bank Scholarship in Honor of Ken Curtis Fund	Matriculated into Muskie Program Outstanding academic record Full time enrollment	Award: Varies	Deadline: Priority Deadline May 1
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
Office of Graduate Studies Scholarship	Be matriculated in a master's or doctoral degree at USM Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better Be enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits per semester Have completed the FAFSA (non US citizens need not complete) Not be a University of Maine System employee (though student workers and Graduate Assistants are eligible)	Award: Variable amounts up to $3,000	Deadline: March 15
Office of Graduate Studies Spring Scholarship	Be matriculated in a master's or doctoral degree at USM Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better Be enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits for the Spring session(s) Have completed the FAFSA (non US citizens need not complete) Not be a University of Maine System employee (though student workers and Graduate Assistants are eligible)	Award: $1,500	Deadline: October 15
Office of Graduate Studies Summer Scholarship	Be matriculated in a master's or doctoral degree at USM Be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better Be enrolled in at least 3 graduate credits for the summer session(s) Have completed the FAFSA (non US citizens need not complete) Not be a University of Maine System employee (though student workers and Graduate Assistants are eligible)	Award: $1,000	Deadline: February 15
Peter Feeney Scholarship	Continuing Muskie students Completed 12 credits Financial need Commitment to Public Service	Award: $1,000 or more	Deadline: Priority Deadline May 1
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
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
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
School of Education and Human Development Scholarships	Current matriculated undergraduates who are in a teacher education major or pathway Or, new or current graduate students who are matriculated in a program within the School of Education and Human Development, Enrolled in at least six credits in the semester/s in which awarded.	Award: Varies	Deadline: DECEMBER 1: Current Undergraduate Students. MARCH 1: Incoming and Current Graduate Students
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.