Costs & Financial Aid

You and your family may be surprised to learn that you can afford an excellent college education.  A USM education is one of the best bargains available.  Our tuition rates provide you and your family with real value: a high quality education at an affordable cost.

Your college education is one of the most important investments you will make.  Our Student Financial Aid Office offers a variety of programs to make a USM education within reach of every eligible student.  Grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and educational loans totaling more than $35 million are available each year to assist eligible students.  More than 75 percent of our students receive financial assistance through these programs, with each receiving an average financial aid package of close to $7,300.  In addition, USM offers several different payment plan options, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) may also be used.

Please download information about costs, financial aid and scholarships here.

Costs to Attend USM

Estimated Costs of Attendance
One Year of Full-time Undergraduate Enrollment
2008-2009

	Maine Residents	Out-of-State Residents	Canadian Residents/New England Regional Program***
Tuition*	$6,540	$18,060	$9,810
Mandatory Fees	$1,184	$1,184	$1,184
Total Tuition and Fees Only	$7,724	$19,244	$10,994
Other Expenses
Room & Board**	$8,344	$8,344	$8,344
Books & Supplies	$920	$920	$920
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance	$16,988	$28,508	$20,258

*Tuition costs are based on enrollment in 30 credit hours per year.

**Room and board costs may vary depending upon room assignment.

***The New England Regional Program enables New England residents to enroll in out-of-state public colleges and universities (in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) at a special reduced tuition rate for certain degree programs that are not offered by their home-state public institutions.  High school guidance offices have more information about this program.

For graduate tuition rates, visit the Office of Graduate Admissions.

revised 6/09/08

 

Eligibility

In determining your need for financial aid, USM includes not only tuition, books, and fees, but also room and board, transportation, medical and dental expenses, and personal expenses.  Child care expenses also are included when documented.  To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet the following general eligibility requirements:

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• be admitted to a USM degree program
• register for at least six credit hours each semester (some students may be eligible for Pell grants while enrolled for less than six credits)
• show financial need
• make satisfactory academic progress
• not be in default on repayment of a student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant

 

North American Indian Tuition Waiver & Scholarship Program

The Waiver/Scholarship Program of the University of Maine System has been established to encourage eligible Native Americans to pursue higher education in Maine. The tuition waiver program covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees. The scholarship program covers the cost of room and board on campus, at the double room rate. If you are interested, please contact Multicultural Student Affairs at 207-780-4006 or mcsa@usm.maine.edu. More information can be found at this website: http://www.usm.maine.edu/eeo/culture/nai.html

 

 

For information submit our Internet Reply Card or contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
University of Southern Maine
37 College Avenue
Gorham, Maine 04038-1083
(207) 780-5670 or 1-800-800-4USM, ext. 5670
TTY: (207) 780-5646 Fax: (207) 780-5640
E-mail: usmadm@usm.maine.edu


Please report any problems with this page to:
jbarker@usm.maine.edu