Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE)
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence
Pays tuition, fees, child care, transportation and other school costs for lower-income Maine parents in college or training.
- How much
- Not stated as a fixed amount; covers school costs per HOPE's Support Services Table
- Who qualifies
- Parent or caretaker relative of a minor child living with the applicant
- Maine resident age 16-64; family income at or below 225% FPL; assets $10,000 or less; not receiving TANF/PaS cash; no marketable bachelor's degree.
- For adults going back to school, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- US citizen or eligible non-US citizen
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling; DHHS says it currently has openings.
- How to apply
- Submit a signed HOPE application (from the Forms & Documents page, MyMaineConnection, or a local DHHS office) by email to HOPE.DHHS@maine.gov, fax, mail or at a DHHS office
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (maine.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Helps qualifying parents pay for training and education beyond high school (short-term certificates, associate or bachelor's degrees): tuition and fees, prior balances blocking re-enrollment, books, supplies, tools and equipment, child care, transportation, car repairs/registration/insurance, computers and other school costs, plus a Student Navigator. Eligible: parent or caretaker relative of a minor child living with you; Maine resident age 16-64; family gross income at or below 225% of the federal poverty level and assets of $10,000 or less (home and car excluded); accepted or enrolled at least half time (less with approval); not receiving TANF or Parents as Scholars cash benefits; US citizen or eligible non-citizen; no marketable bachelor's degree; making satisfactory progress.
More money from Maine
- Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarshipup to 50% of cost of attendance or $25,000 per year, whichever is less
- Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP)up to $10,000 per year full time; up to $5,000 per year part time
- Maine State Grant Programup to $2,500 per year (2026-27); up to $1,250 for half-time to less-than-full-time students
- 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)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: New Hampshire
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.