Admissions 101 - Merit Scholarships
The University of Maine Academic Scholarship Program is designed to acknowledge, attract, and retain academically talented and diverse students who seek the intellectual stimulation and opportunities for personal development offered at the state’s only comprehensive institution of higher learning in Maine. This year, scholarships of over $1 million were awarded to first-year and transfer students who chose to attend UMaine. Awards vary from $500 to full tuition. The majority of them are renewable for up to eight semesters of full-time enrollment, based on maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
Eligibility Requirements
By applying for Fall admission to UMaine, students are automatically considered for merit scholarships offered by the Office of Admissions. To be assured full consideration for most institutional merit-based awards, students should:
- Apply for Fall admission and be accepted through UMaine’s non-binding Early Action Admission program which has an application completion date of December 15;
- Be a first-time, first-year or transfer undergraduate applicant and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America (International students should contact the Office of International Programs for information on merit-based international tuition waivers);
- Have completed a strong college preparatory program in high school, rank at least in the top 40% of your class at the time of application and have achieved a minimum combined SAT critical reading and mathematics score of 1100. Meeting these criteria means you will be considered for merit scholarships – it does not guarantee that you will be awarded a merit scholarship;
- Plan to enroll as a full-time student; taking at minimum 12 credits per semester, in an approved undergraduate program at the University of Maine (awards are valid only on the Orono campus of the University of Maine).
Criteria for Selection
The scholarship selection and award amounts are based on the following criteria:
Academic achievement as reflected by information contained in the completed Application for Admission. This information may include, but is not limited to, class standing, rigor of the curriculum, cumulative grade point average and standardized test scores;
Diversity as reflected by ethnicity, race, gender, physical challenge, field of academic study, purpose for pursuing higher education, or perseverance in overcoming educational and social obstacles;
Significant personal accomplishments beyond the traditional measures of academic achievement. This may include work experience, field study, or personal accomplishments in spite of adversity;
Outstanding artistic talent and special accomplishment in the fine and performing arts areas of music, theatre, or art. Students wishing to be considered for talent-based awards should contact the School of Performing Arts at 207-581-4700 or the Department of Art at 207-581-3245 for information about Visual and Performing Arts Awards. Auditions/interviews, portfolios and/or applications are required for consideration for these awards, and application deadlines differ.
First priority for academic scholarships will be given to students who apply for Fall admission using the Early Action Application Program, having complete applications submitted by December 15. Students who apply through the regular, rolling admission program will be considered for academic scholarships only on a funds available basis. Applicants for the Spring semester are not considered for merit awards offered by the admissions office.
For all but the Visual and Performing Arts Awards, only an admission application is necessary for consideration for the following academic scholarships. Some colleges and academic departments may also award their own academic scholarships in addition to the ones listed here. Most scholarships require a specific grade point average at UMaine to be renewed. You should check the financial aid web site to learn more about the restricted scholarships offered by the University of Maine Foundation.
Merit Scholarship Categories
- Top Scholar Awards
Eligibility: Seniors attending state approved Maine high schools. Selection is competitive and based on a combination of class rank and standardized test scores. Award Amount: $7,200, may be renewed to cover those credits required to complete a first program of study, or a total of eight semesters of full-time enrollment–which ever occurs first. Students earning these awards are generally in the very top of their high school class, have an outstanding grade point average and have excellent standardized test scores. - Presidential Distinguished Scholar Awards
Eligibility: Awarded to Maine high school graduates in the top 10% of their classes, with a minimum combined SAT critical reading and mathematics score of 1250. Award Amount: $2,500 per academic year– may be renewed for up to seven semesters. - Presidential Scholars Award
Eligibility: Nonresidents who minimally rank in the top 10% of their graduating classes and have minimum combined SAT critical reading and mathematics score of 1250. Award Amount: $10,000 per academic year–may be renewed for up to seven semesters. - Dean’s Scholar Award
Eligibility: Nonresidents who minimally rank in the top 40% of their graduating classes and have minimum combined SAT critical reading and mathematics score of 1100. Award Amount: $5,000 per academic year–may be renewed for up to seven semesters. - National Merit Finalists and Outstanding Academic Students Award
Eligibility: National Merit Scholarship Finalists who identify UMaine as their first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Foundation or exceptional academic students regardless of residence. Award Amount: Maine residents – $7,200, Students participating in the NEBHE program – $11,000, Non-residents – $21,000, may be renewed to cover those credits required to complete a first program of study, or a total of eight semesters of full-time enrollment–which ever occurs first. - National Merit Stipend
Eligibility: National Merit Scholarship Finalists who identify UMaine as their first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Foundation. Award Amount: from $1,000 to $2,000 per academic year, may be renewed for up to seven semesters. - Distinguished Scholar Awards
Eligibility: Students who distinguish themselves through class rank, grade point average and standardized test scores. Award Amount: Awards of $2,000 per academic year, renewable for up to seven semesters. Generally these students are at least in the top 2% of their high school class. - Distinguished Student Awards
Eligibility: Students who exhibit diversity–culturally, personally, or through achievement in the visual and performing arts in addition to having an outstanding academic record. Award Amount: Ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 per academic year, renewable for up to seven semesters. - University of Maine Textbook Scholarship
Eligibility: Students who exhibit commitment to scholarship. Award Amount: One-time, first-year awards of up to $500. - Transfer Scholarships
Eligibility: Students who transfer to the University of Maine with an exceptional academic record from their prior college or university as measured by the cumulative grade point average of all prior college course work. Award Amount: One-time, $1000 award.- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Eligibility: Students who transfer to the University of Maine with an exceptional academic record from their prior college as measured by the cumulative grade point average of all prior college course work and who held membership in Phi Theta Kappa at a community college. Award Amount: One-time, $1000 award. - Maine Community College Scholarship
Eligibility: Students who transfer to the University of Maine from one of Maine’s Community Colleges with an exceptional academic record as measured by the cumulative grade point average of all prior college course work. One for each of Maine’s seven Community Colleges. Award Amount: One-time, $1000 award. - UMaine Transfer Scholarship
Eligibility: Students who transfer to the University with an exceptional academic record from their prior college or university as measured by the cumulative grade point average of all prior college course work. Award amount: One time $1,000 award.
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
