Maine scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Maine runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (1) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP)
up to $10,000 per year full time; up to $5,000 per year part timeMaine Department of Labor
Open nowUp to $10,000 a year for lower-income Maine adults training for high-wage, in-demand jobs, plus help with child care, transportation and books.
- What it takes: state application
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Maine State Grant Program
up to $2,500 per year (2026-27); up to $1,250 for half-time to less-than-full-time studentsFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Apply any timeUp to $2,500 a year for Maine undergraduates with financial need, awarded automatically from the FAFSA.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Maine Free College Scholarship (Maine Community College System)
100% of tuition after federal and state grants (class of 2026+); 100% of tuition and mandatory fees (2024 and 2025 graduates)Maine Community College System
Apply any timeFree tuition at any of Maine's seven community colleges for Maine residents who finished high school in 2024 or later.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship
up to 50% of cost of attendance or $25,000 per year, whichever is lessFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Check datesUp to $25,000 a year for medical students with strong Maine ties at Maine-based medical school programs.
- What it takes: state application
- For grad students
- For medicine students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Foreign Credentialing and Skills Recognition Grant Program
up to $1,000 lifetime maximumFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Apply any timeUp to $1,000 (lifetime) for immigrants in Maine awaiting a work permit, to cover credential evaluation, translation, English tests and licensing costs.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: state application
- For adults going back to school
- Who can get it: Not a US citizen; pending immigration application/petition entitling the applicant to request a work permit (not yet authorized to work)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE)
Not stated as a fixed amount; covers school costs per HOPE's Support Services TableMaine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence
Apply any timePays tuition, fees, child care, transportation and other school costs for lower-income Maine parents in college or training.
- Who it's for: Parent or caretaker relative of a minor child living with the applicant
- What it takes: state application
- For adults going back to school, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: US citizen or eligible non-US citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Maine National Guard Tuition Benefit (Education Assistance)
100% of tuition (less other tuition assistance)Maine National Guard (Military Bureau, Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management)
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Serve at least one more year in the Maine National Guard beyond the funded term; repayment terms are on the official page.
100% tuition at Maine public colleges for Maine National Guard members who commit to serve one more year.
- Who it's for: Member of the Maine National Guard
- What it takes: FAFSA + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver Program (Public Servant)
The actual amount of tuition at the participating Maine public collegeFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Apply any timeFree tuition at Maine's public colleges for children and spouses of Maine firefighters, police officers or EMS providers killed in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Child (under 21 at the parent's death) or spouse of a Maine firefighter, EMS provider or law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits
100% of tuition and mandatory fees at Maine public collegesMaine Bureau of Veterans' Services
Apply any timeFree tuition and mandatory fees at Maine's public colleges for children and spouses of Maine veterans who were killed, totally disabled, or are MIA/POW.
- Who it's for: Child or spouse of a Maine veteran with 100% permanent service-connected disability, killed in action, died of service-connected disability, or MIA/POW
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- Needs a 2+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver Program (Foster Care)
The actual amount of tuition at the participating Maine public collegeFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Opens laterFree tuition at Maine's public colleges for students who were in Maine foster care or adopted/under guardianship with a DHHS subsidy.
- Who it's for: Maine foster youth, or adopted from Maine foster care / minor ward of a permanency guardian with a Maine DHHS subsidy
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Usual timing: Annual; application opens March 1 and FAME's applications table lists a May 1 due date; awards are first-come, first-served, so apply early.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.