STATE OF MAINE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
5 Community Drive PO Box 949
Augusta, ME 04332-0949
TEL: (207) 623-3263 or 1-800-228-3734
FAX: (207) 623-0095
TYY: (207) 626-2717

www.famemaine.com

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of Maine.

Maine State Grant Program

The Maine State Grant Program is a need-based state grant awarded to Maine undergraduate students. The FAFSA serves as the application for the Maine State Grant Program. To be eligible for an award under the Maine State Grant Program, the Federal Processing Agency must receive your FAFSA by May 1st. This deadline is critical. Notification will be sent in July to first year students, students who provide more than one school on their FAFSA Form and students attending eligible out-of-state schools. However, if you are not eligible to receive an award under this program, you will not receive a notification letter.

Maximum Grant Amounts:

1. In-State Public Institutions: $1,200 (for full-time study)
2. Out-of-State Public Institutions: $600 (for full-time study)
3. In-State Private Institutions: $1,450 (for full-time study)
4. Out-of-State Private Institutions: $1,150 (for full-time study)

A limited number of grants are available for part-time study.

In order to be eligible for an out-of-state private or public Maine State Grant Program grant, you must attend a higher education institution in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania or the District of Columbia.

Educators for Maine Program

Educators for Maine is a forgivable loan program for Maine students pursuing careers in education. Awards are based on academic achievement. Awards are up to $3,000 per year (total of $12,000) for full-time undergraduate students and up to $2,000 per year (total of $8,000) for post-baccalaureate students. These are renewable loans that can be forgiven by teaching in a Maine public elementary or secondary school upon graduation; otherwise, repayment will be at a 9% interest rate.

You may apply for this program if you are:
Pursuing a career in education, AND
A resident of Maine, AND
a college student currently enrolled in a higher education institution and are maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 grade point scale).

Applications are available at colleges and high schools throughout Maine as well as through FAME. Initial and renewal applications must be postmarked by May 15.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is a merit-based, federally funded, renewable scholarship of up to $1,500 per year for graduating high school seniors continuing their education. Superior academic performance is the primary criterion through which these scholarships are awarded. Applications for this program are available at Maine high schools and from FAME; applications must be postmarked by April 15.

Quality Child Care Education Scholarship

Eligibility

            Must be a Maine Resident
            File a FAFSA
            Need-based (less than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines)
            Currently work as a childcare provider OR intend to work as a childcare provider.

Award Amount

Maximum of $500 per course up to 2 courses per semester ($2,000 per year)

Notes

Cannot be awarded for the same course a student is receiving the Main Roads Scholarship for.

Applicant must be taking childcare courses or pursuing a certificate, undergraduate or graduate degree that will lead to direct childcare service.

Childcare positions may be in nursery schools, Head Start, before and after school programs, and in programs for pre-kindergarten children with special needs.

Brunswick Naval Air Station Scholarship

Eligibility

Primary, regular, or year-round civilian position at the BNAS

Award Amount

Up to $1,000

Notes:

- Student does not need to be matriculated
- Must not be in default on any student loan
- Funds cannot be set aside for any student
- Must be a Title IV school

Tuition Waiver for Children and Spouses of Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

The Tuition Waiver Program provides tuition waivers for children and spouses of firefighters and law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty, or died as a result of injuries received during the performance of their duties. Tuition waivers are valid for these individuals if they are students within the University of Maine System, the Maine Technical College System or at Maine Maritime Academy. Applications for tuition waivers are available from the Finance Authority of Maine.

Tuition Waiver for Foster Children Under the Custody of the Department of Human Services

The Tuition Waiver Program provides tuition waivers for students at the University of Maine System, Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Technical College System who were foster children under the custody of the Department of Human Services when they graduated from high school. Applications for tuition waivers are available from FAME.

Tuition Waiver for Children and Spouses of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Killed in the Line of Duty

The Tuition Waiver Program provides tuition waivers at the University of Maine System, Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Technical College system for children and spouses of emergency medical service personnel killed in the line of duty. Applications for tuition waivers are available from FAME.

Medical Education Programs

The Finance Authority of Maine’s Medical Education Programs are designed to help students access and pay for medical education. Maine students may receive help gaining admission to medical schools and veterinary schools participating in the Maine Access to Medical Education Program. Loans are also available to Maine students pursuing a degree in dentistry, optometry and veterinary science.

Maine Access to Medical Education Program

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) has entered into contracts with three medical schools (Dartmouth, Vermont & UNECOM) to provide PREFERRED ACCESS seats at each school for a total of twenty incoming, certified Maine residents each year. Essentially this program removes you from the national pool of applicants and allows you to compete for medical school acceptance in a pool consisting of Maine residents. The probability of being invited to interview at any of the schools participating in the Access Program is greatly increased if you apply under the auspices of the Maine Access Program.

FAME pays a fee of $5,000 per student, per year to provide access to students who are likely to practice primary care in underserved areas of Maine. The $5,000 fee is retained by the medical school to cover the costs of the program and to assure that Maine applicants will receive preferred access. It does not reduce your tuition or provide a financial benefit directly to you. Matriculating Maine students in the Access Program have priority for need-based loans ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 annually.

Students matriculating under the Access Program are required to sign a Student Participation Agreement that obligates them to complete at least two primary care clinical rotations in Maine. One rotation must be at a Maine Family Practice Residency Program during the third year; the other at an ambulatory care site in rural Maine during the student's fourth year. Applicants to the Access Program should be aware that the State of Maine will make every effort to encourage students to select primary care specialties and to practice in Maine.

Maine's Advisory Committee on Medical Education reviews all applications filed by Maine residents for the Access Program and makes recommendations to the medical schools regarding those applicants who seem most likely to achieve the program goals. However, the individual medical schools make the final decision regarding the admission of any applicant.

Health Professions Loan Program

The Finance Authority of Maine also offers a forgivable loan program to Maine residents. Maine postgraduate health professions students are eligible to borrow forgivable loans from FAME. Ninety percent of the funds available are set-aside for medical students; up to 10% of the funds may be awarded to other health professions students. Maine students who gain entry to medical school as a preferred Access Program participant will have priority for need-based loans ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per year. The maximum loan amount for students not participating in the Access Program is $10,000. All loans will be awarded on the basis of need. If you wish to borrow money from FAME, you must apply for financial aid through the normal channels required by the institution you will be attending. The Director of Financial Aid at your school must provide FAME the amount of your estimated family contribution (EFC) before any award can be made. For purposes of the Maine Health Professions Loan, parents' financial resources will not be included in the assessment of financial need if applicants are age 30 or older or have been independent for financial aid purposes for at least 5 years. Applicants for this loan must provide the financial information that is required by their individual school in assessing financial need. Loans do not accrue interest while in school, residency fellowship or obligated service. Recipients of a loan from FAME will not be required to repay those loans if they are in general primary care practices in designated underserved areas. For each year of eligible practice, the greater of $7,500 or 25% of your FAME loan will be canceled.

Maine Access to Veterinary Education Program

The Finance Authority of Maine has entered into a contract with Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine to provide a preferred Access seat for a Maine resident each year. FAME pays a capitation fee of $12,000 to provide access to a student who expresses a serious interest in practicing large animal veterinary care in an area of the State determined to be underserved. The $12,000 capitation fee is used to reduce tuition and is treated as a loan to the student that is eligible for forgiveness if the student returns and practices large animal veterinary medicine in a designated underserved area in Maine. Underserved areas are determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Dental Education Loan and Loan Repayment Program

The Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program is intended to increase access to dental care to underserved populations in Maine by providing repayment of dental education loans for dental services providers. The loan repayment recipient must provide dental services regardless of a patient's ability to pay. Loan repayment is available at the rate of $20,000 per year of services for up to 4 years for outstanding education loan debt.

The Maine Dental Education Loan Program is also intended to increase access to dental care to underserved populations in Maine by providing need-based dental education loans to Maine residents attending dental school. Dental students may be eligible for forgivable loans of up to $20,000 per year for up to 4 years. Loan forgiveness is available at the rate of 25% per year of service. The loan recipient must provide dental services regardless of a patient's ability to pay.

A Dental Education Loan or Loan Repayment recipient may receive up to $80,000 in the aggregate of either loans or loan repayment through this program.

State Financial Aid Information

Find state financial aid information for the specific state that you live in. Find contact information for your local federal aid office, and get details about specific federal aid programs in your area.