A Guide to Financial
Aid at the University
of Maine
Welcome to the University of Maine! I am pleased to offer this “Guide to Financial Aid at the
University of Maine” to assist you in understanding our various financial aid programs and
financing options available to you during your studies at the University of Maine.
We are here to help answer your questions about federal, state, UMaine, and private sources of
student aid to assist in your educational endeavors. We process all undergraduate and graduate
student awards, determine eligibility for Federal Work Study jobs and Federal Direct Loans
(Stafford and PLUS). We are also responsible for the administration of other student aid funds:
outside scholarship payments, selecting students for institutional scholarships, and the processing
of private student loan requests from students. Our office staff is available to meet with you and
answer questions from you and your family, the campus community, and the general public on
issues related to student financial aid.
Whether you are a first year or continuing student, we hope this guide will assist you in
navigating the financial aid process. We have a wide array of additional resources available to
you within this brochure, as well as federal aid links and information available on our website:
umaine.edu/stuaid. Familiarize yourself with this website; this is where you will have access to
important updates and links to forms, applications, and policies that you may need to refer to in
the future. Please contact our office if you have questions. We are here to assist you.
Sincerely,
Gianna F. Marrs
Director of Student Financial Aid
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Contents
The Financial Aid Process .............................................................................................................................. 5
Eligibility Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 5
Why File a FAFSA? ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Important Financial Aid Dates ...................................................................................................................... 6
How to Receive a Financial Aid Award.......................................................................................................... 6
Cost of Attendance ....................................................................................................................................... 7
How Financial Aid Is Applied to the Student Bill ........................................................................................... 7
How Is The Award Calculated? ..................................................................................................................... 8
Can The Award Change? ............................................................................................................................... 9
Timeframes for Awarding ............................................................................................................................. 9
Financial Aid Notifications .......................................................................................................................... 10
How Do I Accept My Award? ...................................................................................................................... 11
Additional Steps to Receive Financial Aid Funds ........................................................................................ 12
Financial Aid Programs................................................................................................................................ 12
Federal Pell Grant ................................................................................................................................... 12
Federal Supplemental Grant ................................................................................................................... 13
Federal Work-Study ................................................................................................................................ 13
Federal Perkins Loan ............................................................................................................................... 13
Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan ................................................................................................. 13
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan............................................................................................. 13
Merit Scholarships .................................................................................................................................. 13
State Grant Programs.............................................................................................................................. 14
University of Maine Grant....................................................................................................................... 14
UMaine Selective Scholarships ............................................................................................................... 14
UMaine College and Department Scholarships ...................................................................................... 14
Additional Financing Options ...................................................................................................................... 14
Installment Payment Plans ..................................................................................................................... 15
Loan Options ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Student Employment .................................................................................................................................. 15
Summer Financial Aid ................................................................................................................................. 16
SALT Financial Literacy and Debt Management......................................................................................... 16
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Policies that Impact Financial Aid Eligibility ................................................................................................ 17
Satisfactory Academic Progress .............................................................................................................. 17
Withdrawing ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Course Repeats ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — FERPA .................................................................................. 17
Helpful Contacts .......................................................................................................................................... 18
Administrative Offices............................................................................................................................. 18
Academic Associate Deans’ Offices ........................................................................................................ 18
Office of Student Financial Aid Contact Information .............................................................................. 19
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The Financial Aid Process
All students who wish to apply for financial aid at the University of Maine must file the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department of Education’s Federal Student
Aid programs are the largest source of student aid in the U.S. and offer more than $150 billion
each year to help millions of students pay for higher education. As denoted in the name, the
FAFSA is free; students should never pay an outside party to complete their FAFSA.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for any of the Federal Student Aid Programs, you must:

be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;

have a valid Social Security Number;

have an earned high school diploma or equivalent;

have registered with Selective Service (if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25;
go to http://www.sss.gov for more information);

have been offered admission to a University of Maine degree program;

not currently be in default on a previous Federal educational loan program or owe a
refund on a Federal grant;

not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving Federal
student aid;

be in good academic standing (not suspended or dismissed);

make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward a degree.
Why File a FAFSA?
All students who meet the above criteria are eligible to apply for some type of financial
assistance and are strongly encouraged to file a FAFSA. Even if you think that you will not
qualify for grant funds or other aid, there are a number of reasons to still apply:



If your parents wish to apply for a Federal PLUS loan, you must file the FAFSA.
With very few exceptions, all students qualify for some type of federal aid, even those
with low or no financial need.
Many institutional and private funding sources require that a student file a FAFSA each
year to determine eligibility.
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Important Financial Aid Dates


March 1st - UMaine’s priority FAFSA filing deadline for the upcoming academic year
May 15th – UMaine’s deadline to submit “To Do List” information requests for students
who filed their FAFSA by March 1st in order to maintain on-time filing status and receive
the most financial aid possible.
How to Receive a Financial Aid Award
In order to receive a financial aid award from the University of Maine, follow these steps each
year:
1. Apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number), if you do not already have one, from
the Department of Education. The student and parent on the FAFSA must apply for
separate PINs. You will keep the same PIN every year. This PIN allows you and/or your
parents to electronically sign your FAFSA. Go to pin.ed.gov to apply.
2. Collect tax documents from the previous tax year including tax-returns, W-2 forms, and
other records of income. For example, for the 2014-2015 academic year, you will use
2013 tax information and for the 2015-2016 academic year you will use 2014 tax
information. A complete list of what you need can be found at fafsa.gov
3. Before March 1, file your FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Although late applications are accepted,
on-time filing is key to receiving the most financial aid possible and financial aid funds
may be limited for late filers. Use UMaine’s school code: 002053 when filing to ensure
that our school receives your FAFSA information.
4. If your taxes have not been filed yet, file with estimated tax information. Once tax
information is submitted to the IRS, wait two weeks for electronically filed tax returns
and 6-8 weeks for paper tax returns and then access your FAFSA online and make a
correction to import tax data via the FAFSA IRS Data Retrieval tool.
5. Check your MaineStreet student account to see if the FAFSA has been received. Go to
Student Center > FAFSA Status.
6. If we request additional information from you, we will send a letter to your mailing
address with step-by-step instructions on how to view your MaineStreet To Do list.
Follow these instructions to complete the awarding process. For students who have filed
their FAFSA by March 1st who require additional documents for awarding, these items
must be received by our office no later than May 15th to retain on-time filing status.
7. Once you have been awarded financial aid, a letter will be sent to your mailing address
listed on MaineStreet. Please be sure that you keep your mailing address up to date. On
our website see Award Information: How Do I Accept My Financial Aid Package? for
detailed instructions on how to accept your financial aid award. Be sure to read the
section in this guide Additional Steps to Receive Aid in order to meet all additional
requirements for your aid funds to be applied to your student bill.
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Cost of Attendance
2014-15 Estimated Cost of Attendance
New England
Maine Out-of-State
Regional (NEBHE) &
Resident Resident
Canadian Resident
$8,370
$26,250
$12,570
Tuition
Mandatory Fees
$2,234
$2,234
$2,234
Room & Board
$9,296
$9,296
$9,296
Books & Supplies
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
Travel & Miscellaneous
$2,200
$2,200
$2,200
Total
$23,100
$40,980
$27,300
Actual tuition rates for the upcoming academic year are available each summer at
umaine.edu/bursar. The UMaine estimated cost of attendance is calculated using 15 credits per
semester for a total of 30 credit-hours per academic year.

Tuition and Fees — based on 15 credit hours per semester. Actual tuition and fees
charges will be based on number of credit hours and the program choice of the
student. The Bursar’s Office mails fall semester bills in mid-July. Spring semester
bills are mailed in mid-December.

Room and Board — an estimate of the cost of housing, based on the housing choice
you indicated on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The oncampus cost assumes a double-room.

Books and Supplies — an estimate of the cost that you may pay for the academic
year.

Travel and Miscellaneous — an estimate of costs associated with day-to-day
expenses.
How Financial Aid Is Applied to the Student Bill
Most types of financial aid are disbursed in two equal amounts for the fall and spring semesters
respectively. Students are billed for each semester individually. Aid that is accepted on
MaineStreet at the time that the bill is printed will list on the bill as Anticipated Financial Aid.
All other resources should be reported to the Bursar’s Office using the Anticipated Resources of
MaineStreet. Instructions are provided with each bill that the Bursar’s Office sends.
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Students and their families should devise a plan to ensure that their bill will be paid by their
financial aid and outside resources by the bill due date. Fall semester bills are sent out in July
and due by August 15th and spring bills are sent out in mid-December and due by January 5th.
There are a variety of additional financing options to assist students and their families to cover
the difference between the financial aid award and the expected costs. See the Additional
Financing Options section of this guide for more details. A Financing Options brochure is also
enclosed with your financial aid award letter.
How Is The Award Calculated?
Your Financial Aid Package is unique to you. We calculate your award package based on your
financial need. Your need is calculated as the difference between our standard cost of attendance
(COA) and your specific Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Other factors which affect your
individual eligibility for aid include the number of classes you take each semester, your housing
plans and the number of credit hours you have earned toward your degree.
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) measures your family’s financial strength and is used
to determine your eligibility for Federal student aid during one academic year. Your EFC is
displayed on your Student Aid Report (SAR) after your FAFSA is processed.
The information you reported on your FAFSA is used by the Department of Education to
calculate your EFC. Your contribution is determined using federally-defined formulas which
take into consideration factors such as income level, assets and household size. We use the EFC
to determine your federal student aid eligibility and financial aid award.
Your EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college nor is it the
amount of Federal student aid you will receive. It is the number we use to calculate the amount
of Federal student aid you are eligible to receive.
A variety of factors affect the amount and types of aid that you may receive. Some of these
include EFC, grade level, residency status, dependency status, whether you live at home with
parents or on/off campus, and your enrollment level.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by information supplied on the
FAFSA and is used by our office to determine the types and amounts of financial aid
for each student.

Grade Level: Determines the amount of federal loans in your award.

First Year: 0–23 credits
Junior: 54–83 credits
Sophomore: 24–53 credits
Senior: 84 or more credits
Residency: Tuition and fees reflect this status.
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Resident — defined by Admissions Office as a Maine resident.
Non-Resident — defined by Admissions Office as an out-of-state resident.
NEBHE — defined by Admissions Office as a nonresident enrolled in specific degree
programs with reduced tuition rates. Visit go.umaine.edu for more details.

Dependency Status: This status was determined by your responses to the dependency
status questions on the FAFSA.

Housing: This is based on your FAFSA response for housing interest. If this has
changed, make the appropriate corrections during the award acceptance process in
MaineStreet.
On-off campus — The estimated cost for food and housing under “Estimated Student
Expenses” is the same for all students regardless of whether you live in university
housing or off-campus, paying for rent, food and utilities.
With parents — Estimated expense for students reporting living with their parents
during the year is lower than on-off campus amount.

Enrollment: Your award is based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours
each semester). If you plan to enroll for fewer credits, indicate this during the award
acceptance process in MaineStreet.
Can The Award Change?
Your financial aid award is subject to change based on funding uncertainties at state and
federal levels. Changes to FAFSA information, academic enrollment level, residency, or
housing options may also cause your financial aid award to be adjusted. You are required
to report any outside assistance that you are receiving and these resources may impact
your financial aid award. You report outside assistance on MaineStreet by using the
Report Outside Aid screen during the Accept/Decline awards process. If you have aid to
report, you may list the source, amount and term. All scholarship information must be
sent to our office, including checks and copies of scholarship letters.
Timeframes for Awarding


January 1: Students and parents can begin filing their 2014-2015 FAFSA at
fafsa.ed.gov and obtain their PIN to file at pin.ed.gov.
Early February: Anticipated availability of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The most
accurate and efficient way to provide 2013 Federal Tax information. See IRS Data
Retrieval under How to Receive a Financial Aid Award for more information.
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






Mid-February: Our office begins sending information to students regarding requests
for additional documentation, including students selected for federal verification.
March 1: UMaine’s priority FAFSA filing deadline. Students who file after this
deadline may receive less financial aid than on-time filers.
Mid-March: Our office begins awarding financial aid to incoming first-year students.
We also send provisional (estimated) award letters to incoming first-year students
who are selected for federal verification but have not yet completed the verification
process. These awards are based on estimated information and may change.
Early April: Our office begins awarding continuing undergraduate students.
Mid April: Our office begins awarding graduate students.
May 15: Deadline for all additional document requests, including students selected
for federal verification. Students who filed their FAFSA on time and submit
documents by this deadline have priority consideration for financial aid.
Financial Aid Notifications
You will receive a paper letter when you’ve been awarded. First Year and Transfer students
receive a paper award letter; continuing students will be provided a letter with instructions on
how to view and accept the award on MaineStreet. After the initial letter, we notify you via email
if you have anything you need to do in order to receive your aid, or if there have been changes
made to your award.
You must view and accept or decline your award on MaineStreet (see How Do I Accept My
Award). Follow-up communications we send you regarding financial aid will be sent to your
@maine.edu email and may direct you to your Message Center and/or To Do List on
MaineStreet. To forward your @maine.edu email to your FirstClass account, go to
gmail.maine.edu and click on “Change the destination of email sent to your @maine.edu
address.”
Students should check their MaineStreet account frequently and respond promptly to any
requests we make. Failure to do so may result in loss or delay of aid.
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How Do I Accept My Award?

Login at mainestreet.maine.edu.

Click on Self-Service > Student Center

In the Finances section, click Accept/Decline Awards.

Select the correct aid year to view your award package. If you were awarded Federal
Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Perkins Loan, you will be given the option to accept or
decline the award as well as to reduce the loan amount if desired. You also have the
option of declining Federal Work Study. Click Update Totals to show the new amounts
and SUBMIT.

The following Student Enrollment screen allows you to report a change in enrollment if
you are planning to be less than full-time (12 credits) for the fall or spring semester.
Click NEXT to proceed to the next step.

The Student Housing and Graduation screen allows you to report any changes in living
choices or report if you plan to graduate during this academic year. After reviewing and
updating as necessary, click NEXT.

The Report Outside Aid screen allows you to report outside aid. If you have aid to report,
you may list the source, amount and term. All scholarship information must be sent to our
office, including checks and copies of scholarship letters.

The Scholarship Release screen allows you to give permission to release your name,
directory and academic information to scholarship donors in conjunction with any
university scholarship you may receive.

Click SUBMIT and then YES to finalize the award acceptance process.

If your award includes a Federal Perkins Loan, you must click PROCEED to continue
with the Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note, which must be completed in order to
receive Perkins Loan funds.

If your award includes a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, two links will be displayed at the
bottom of the page which allow you to complete the required Entrance Counseling and
Master Promissory Note. Both links will take you to an external website
(studentloans.gov) in order to complete these requirements for 1st time borrowers.
If you are unable to access this information electronically, please contact our office. For
assistance logging into MaineStreet, please contact the IT Help Desk at 207.581.2506.
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IMPORTANT: Notifications regarding updates to your award will be sent directly to your
University of Maine System email account (gmail.maine.edu). Check this email account
regularly, or if you have forwarded your email to FirstClass or a different email account, you
must check that account regularly.
Additional Steps to Receive Financial Aid Funds
After accepting the aid you wish to receive on your MaineStreet account, there may be some
additional steps to take in order to receive certain types of aid.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
If you are borrowing a Federal Direct Stafford Loan at UMaine for the first time, you will need
to complete Entrance Counseling. If you have borrowed a Direct Loan at UMaine, you do not
need to complete the Entrance Counseling again. You will be notified if you have to complete
this step on your To Do List on MaineStreet. Please allow 3 business days after completing the
Entrance Counseling for this requirement to be removed from your To Do List.
If you are borrowing a Direct Loan for the first time, have changed lenders or if you are using
Direct Lending for the first time, you will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
MPNs are valid for 10 years so you only need to submit an MPN the first time you borrow from
the lender or, in some cases, if the lender requests a new MPN be signed.
Federal Perkins Loans
Borrowers of the Perkins loan must sign a new MPN each year. You will be prompted to
complete this after you accept your award on MaineStreet.
Federal Work Study
For information on what needs to be completed in order to receive your Federal Work Study,
visit the Office of Student Employment website at umaine.edu/studemp.
Financial Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students based on information provided on the
FAFSA. The amount of your Federal Pell Grant depends on your cost of attendance,
expected family contribution and enrollment status. Eligibility for other federal and nonfederal grants may be based on eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant. Federal Pell Grants
are available only to undergraduate students for a maximum lifetime limit of 12
semesters or its equivalent. You do not need to apply separately for the Federal Pell Grant
and there is no deadline to be eligible for the Pell Grant.
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Federal Supplemental Grant
Federal Supplemental Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional
financial need as determined by information provided on the FAFSA, specifically, the
expected family contribution. The Federal Supplemental Grant awards for eligible
undergraduate students range from $100 to $4,000 for the academic year. You do not
need to apply separately for the Federal Supplemental Grant.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is a need-based program that provides students with the opportunity
to work part-time and earn a paycheck. The total amount of work-study awarded is what
the student is eligible to earn for the academic year. See Student Employment for more
details.
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Perkins Loans are subsidized, low-interest (5 percent) loans that must be repaid;
if you are eligible, the Perkins Loan will be included in your financial aid award. You do
not apply separately for the Federal Perkins Loan. However, you must file a Perkins
Master Promissory Note (MPN) to receive this loan. The Perkins MPN must be
completed on MaineStreet each year when you accept your loan and must be completed
for funds to disburse to your student account. See Additional Steps to Receive Financial
Aid Funds.
Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans are need-based loans available to students who
apply for financial aid using the FAFSA. They have a fixed interest rate and are
guaranteed by the federal government. Current interest rate: 3.4%. The FAFSA is the
only application necessary to receive Federal Direct Stafford Loans but you must accept
your loans on MaineStreet and complete other required steps in order for funds to
disburse. See Additional Steps to Receive Financial Aid Funds.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are loans available to students who apply for
financial aid using the FAFSA They have a fixed interest rate and are guaranteed by the
federal government. Current interest rate: 6.8%. The FAFSA is the only application
necessary to receive Federal Direct Stafford Loans but you must accept your loans on
MaineStreet and complete other required steps in order for funds to disburse. See
Additional Steps to Receive Financial Aid Funds.
Merit Scholarships
The Admissions Office presents scholarships to first-time undergraduate students based
on academic performance, with the highest achieving students eligible for the greatest
financial award. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, unless otherwise
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stated, for consideration. Overall, scholarships are available to students for four years, or
for a total of eight semesters, with certain requirements required such as a cumulative 3.0
GPA and enrollment in 12 or more credits per semester.
Incoming students — first-time undergraduates, transfer students or international students
— are automatically considered for scholarships at the time of admission to UMaine.
State Grant Programs
State grants vary by state. Contact your State Department of Higher Education Assistance
for more details. The State of Maine Grant is a need-based grant program for Maine
residents administered by FAME (Finance Authority of Maine). To apply, students must
file the FAFSA by May 1. Eligibility varies each year and is determined by available
funding. In 2013-14 the award is $500 for the academic year for part-time students and
$1,000 for the academic year for full-time students.
University of Maine Grant
University of Maine Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional
financial need as determined by information provided on the FAFSA, specifically, the
expected family contribution. If you qualify for this grant, it will appear as part of your
Financial Aid package on MaineStreet. Initially this grant is awarded from a general fund
under the name “University Grant” but may eventually be replaced with the name of a
specific scholarship fund. You do not need to apply separately for the University of
Maine Grant, but you must meet all priority filing deadlines discussed in the How to
Receive Financial Aid Award section.
UMaine Selective Scholarships
See our website at umaine.edu/stuaid/scholarships for more details and instructions on
how to apply.
UMaine College and Department Scholarships
Many colleges and academic departments offer academic scholarships to students. Some
require a separate scholarship application. Please contact your college or department for
more information or visit their websites.
Additional Financing Options
If after estimating expenses you find that you still need additional financing, you should first
consider options that do not need to be repaid, such as scholarships or employment options.
Installment payment plans and loans can help fund your future. Before borrowing loans, make
sure that you budget to borrow only what you need.
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Installment Payment Plans
The University of Maine offers installment payment plans. These interest-free payment
plans allow you to create a strategy that meets your needs. You can arrange to pay all or
part of your billed charges over a period of several months. Payment plans are not loans
so there are no interest or finance charges, although there is a nominal enrollment fee.
More information is available from the UMaine Bursar’s Office by calling 207.581.1521
or visiting umaine.edu/bursar and clicking on Payment Options.
Loan Options
If need-based financial aid, Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Installment Payment Plans
do not cover the entire cost of education, additional loans are available. There are a
variety of loan programs designed to help finance a college education. Typically these
loans have to be repaid either upon disbursement or once the student leaves school.
Before applying for any loan, evaluate each loan program carefully to choose the one that
best suits the needs of you and/or your family. More detailed information on all loan
options can be found by visiting our website and clicking on Loans.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans are available to graduate students and parents of dependent
undergraduate students. They are credit-based and available through the Department of
Education. There is a 10-year repayment schedule and deferment options do exist. The
student must file a FAFSA before the parent applies for the PLUS Loan. Parents apply
for the PLUS loan on our website at umaine.edu/stuaid/loans. If a dependent student’s
parent is denied a PLUS Loan, the student may be eligible for an additional Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan. To initiate this process, complete the application available on our website
and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Alternative Educational Loans are credit-based loans applied for in the student’s name
from an outside lender. For a list of lenders and information on the process for obtaining
an alternative educational loan, please visit our website.
Student Employment
The Office of Student Employment is located in Wingate Hall and offers services to students
who want to work while they attend school. Whether a student was awarded Federal Work-Study
or not, whether they want to work on campus or off, the Office of Student Employment is the
place to start! The Office of Student Employment has an online job search available to all
UMaine students called CareerLink. For information regarding student employment, please visit
umaine.edu/studemp or call 207.581.1349.
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Summer Financial Aid
The Summer Session starts with May term and includes all sessions through August. The
amount and type of financial aid available to you will depend on what financial aid you have
already received during the previous fall and spring semesters, as well as what your enrollment
plans are for the summer. Funding may be limited. Contact our office if you plan to attend
summer courses and need information about financial aid.
SALT Financial Literacy and Debt Management
The University of Maine is excited to introduce you to our financial literacy and debt
management program, SALT. UMaine collaborated with the creators of SALT, American
Student Assistance, to provide you with this unique, interactive, and educational tool – at
no cost to the student!
SALT is created to help UMaine students become more financially savvy. This program
rewards the student for making smart money decisions. A member of SALT can take
advantage of features like these:




Interactive money management tools to control finances
A personal dashboard that tracks all of your student loans in one place
My Money 101 – a self- paced, online training resource that teaches you practical
money management strategies for budgeting, credit management, and more.
Exclusive benefits that help you save and spend smart.
Follow these easy steps to activate your SALT account today:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Visit saltmoney.org/umaine
Click “Sign Up”
Enter your personal information
Under “School”, enter University of Maine
Create a password
Click “Submit”
If you have any questions, feel free to contact SALT’s Member Support Team at
855.469.2724 or the UMaine Office of Student Financial Aid at 207.581.1324.
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Policies that Impact Financial Aid Eligibility
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal financial aid regulations require financial aid recipients to make progress toward
earning their degree, stay above specific GPA minimums and to complete the degree
within a maximum time-frame. You can lose eligibility for aid if you are not doing well
in your classes and/or if it is taking a very long time to earn your degree. If you are not
meeting the minimum standards, even if you are allowed by your academic dean to
continue your enrollment, you will have to do so without benefit of financial aid. The full
policy is at umaine.edu/stuaid/sap.
Withdrawing
If you withdraw from the university, you will need to contact your Dean’s office to let
them know your intentions. After you speak with your Dean’s office, please contact our
office for additional information on how your withdrawal may affect your financial aid.
We may be required to retract financial aid funds, which may result in the student owing
a bill to the university. We may not know the affect until we have the official information
from your academic dean. Contact information for the Associate Deans’ Offices is
located in the Helpful Contacts section.
Course Repeats
Federal regulations allow for financial aid funds to pay for one repetition of a previously
passed course. For purposes of receiving Federal student aid funds, the Department of
Education considers a “D” grade or higher to be a passing grade even if a higher grade is
needed to advance in the program or is required for a subsequent course.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, is a Federal law which protects the
privacy of student education records. Once a student either turns 18 years of age or attends a
school beyond the high school level, all education privacy rights transfer to the student.
University of Maine employees can speak with a parent or guardian about the student’s personal
information up until August 15 before the upcoming academic year. After this date, a signed
Student Consent to Release Information Form (PDF) is required in order to speak to anyone
other than the student about the student’s personal information. Personal information includes:
academic information such as the student’s schedule, instructors, grades, GPA, suspension,
requests for official or unofficial transcripts, etc.; all financial aid information specific to the
student; billing information and charges. The form must be signed by the student and must be
filled out completely. Once the form is completed, submit it to the Office of Student Records
either by mail at 5781 Wingate Hall, Room 100, Orono, Maine 04469-5781 or via fax at
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207.581.3453. Please note that the FERPA form is different than the HIPAA form which is a
consent to release medical information.
Helpful Contacts
Administrative Offices
Office of the Bursar – payments to student accounts & billing questions, residency
appeals, installment payment plan
100 Alumni Hall
207.581.1521
Website: umaine.edu/bursar
Email: umbursar@maine.edu
Office of Student Records – transcripts, enrollment verification, immunization
requirements, transfer credits
100 Wingate Hall
207.581.1388
Website: studentrecords.umaine.edu
Email: umrecord@maine.edu
Office of Undergraduate Admissions – admission status, merit scholarships, residency
status, general campus questions
Chadbourne Hall
207.581.1561
Website: go.umaine.edu
Email: um-admit@maine.edu
UMaine Housing Services –housing information and meal plans
109 Hilltop
207.581.4580
Website: umaine.edu/housing
Email: um.housing@maine.edu
Academic Associate Deans’ Offices
Maine Business School
5723 D. P. Corbett Business Building
207.581.1968
Website: umaine.edu/business
Email: ssteele@maine.edu
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College of Education and Human Development
5766 Shibles Hall
207.581.2441
Website: umaine.edu/edhd
Email: Maryellen.mahoneyoneil@umit.maine.edu
College of Engineering
5796 AMC Building, Room 200
207.581.2217
Website: engineering.umaine.edu
Email: coe_info@umit.maine.edu
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
100 Stevens Hall
207.581.1954
Website: umaine.edu/las
Email: tmcole@maine.edu
College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture
2 Winslow Hall
207.581.3206
Website: nsfa.umaine.edu
Email: alan.kezis@umit.maine.edu
Office of Student Financial Aid Contact Information
University of Maine
Office of Student Financial Aid
5781 Wingate Hall
Orono, Maine 04469-5781
Tel: 207.581.1324
Fax: 207.581.3261
Website: umaine.edu/stuaid
Email: umfinaid@maine.edu
Office Contact Hours:
Monday – Friday
10 am – 4:30 pm
Advising Hours:
Monday – Wednesday, Friday
10:00 am – 3:30 pm
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