Maine National Guard Tuition Benefit (Education Assistance)
Maine National Guard (Military Bureau, Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management)
100% tuition at Maine public colleges for Maine National Guard members who commit to serve one more year.
- How much
- 100% of tuition (less other tuition assistance)
- Who qualifies
- Member of the Maine National Guard
- Completed basic training or commissioned; satisfactory participant; no prior bachelor's degree; signs a contract to serve at least one year beyond the funded term; must apply for federal TA, employer tuition benefits and Pell first.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Per term; no published statewide deadline.
- How to apply
- Contact your unit's Education Office / the Maine National Guard State Education Office, sign the service commitment, and apply for federal tuition assistance, employer benefits and the FAFSA (Pell) first
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + membership
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (legislature.maine.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Members of the Maine National Guard who have completed basic training (or been commissioned), are satisfactory participants without a prior bachelor's degree, and sign a contract to serve at least one year beyond the term funded receive a 100% tuition benefit at a state postsecondary institution: the University of Maine System, Maine Maritime Academy, the Maine Community College System, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, or a participating private nonprofit Maine college (capped at UMaine Orono in-state tuition from the previous year). Full or part time. Usable for one credential each at the bachelor's, associate, and certificate/licensure levels. Covers tuition only, not mandatory fees, lab fees, books or room and board. Members must first apply for federal military tuition assistance, employer tuition benefits and federal grants such as Pell, and the benefit is reduced by those amounts. Paid from the Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund, or as a college tuition waiver if the fund runs short.
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.