Maine benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Maine's name for SNAP, run by Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence (OFI). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

Students at a college, university or trade/technical school more than half-time (the school decides what half-time means) need an exemption. Maine's list includes: age 17 or under or 50+; unable to work 20 hours a week; caring for a household member under 6; caring for a child 6-12 with no child care, or a full-time single parent; receiving TANF/PaS; enrolled at a community college in certain programs (a career and technical education program under the Perkins Act or a course of study leading to employment, confirmed by the school on OFI's Community College Verification Form, which also asks about work study); on-the-job training; placed in training by a government program (SNAP E&T, WIOA, TAA, HOPE, etc.); or paid work of 20+ hours a week. Students who live on campus and get most meals through a meal plan do not qualify.

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) · Maine's page for students

Health coverage: MaineCare

Maine has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for MaineCare

Child care help: Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. Parents must be employed, in school or job training, or retired (with proof). Under the CCAP rule an approved Educational Program includes high school/HiSET, a Department-approved vocational program, or a post-secondary undergraduate program where the parent is earning credits toward a degree, in person or online. Parents in graduate or doctoral programs are NOT eligible. Enrollment must be verified at application and renewal. Families earning up to 125% of Maine's median income may qualify.

Apply for Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

We found no extra state Lifeline discount on Maine's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

Equal to 25% of the federal EITC (50% for filers with no qualifying children); ITIN filers and people 18 or older with no qualifying children who otherwise qualify for the federal credit may also claim it, and it is refundable for residents. The Maine Tax Portal is free for Maine taxpayers and can be used to file the individual income tax return (Form 1040ME), including the property tax and sales tax fairness credits.

Maine Earned Income Credit (EIC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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