Tuition Waiver Program (Foster Care)
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
Free tuition at Maine's public colleges for students who were in Maine foster care or adopted/under guardianship with a DHHS subsidy.
- How much
- The actual amount of tuition at the participating Maine public college
- Who qualifies
- Maine foster youth, or adopted from Maine foster care / minor ward of a permanency guardian with a Maine DHHS subsidy
- Status measured at high school graduation or HiSET/GED completion. Undergraduate degree program at UMS, MCCS or Maine Maritime Academy. Up to five years of full-time enrollment or equivalent.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- When to apply
- Opens later 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.
- How to apply
- Download the Tuition Waiver (Foster Care) application from FAME when it opens (March 1)
- Mail it (postmarked
- No fax, email or hand delivery) to FAME, PO Box 949, Augusta, ME 04332-0949 with proof of acceptance or enrollment in an undergraduate degree program, and file the FAFSA
- FAME verifies status with DHHS
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (famemaine.com) and page 2
The details
Waives the actual tuition at all University of Maine System schools, all Maine community colleges and Maine Maritime Academy. At high school graduation (or HiSET/GED completion) the student must be in Maine's foster care program, be adopted from Maine foster care with adoptive parents receiving a Maine DHHS subsidy (not waived), or be a minor ward of a permanency guardian receiving a DHHS subsidy. Usable for fall and spring terms at any enrollment level; summer terms only for full-time attendance. Renewable for up to five years of full-time enrollment or the equivalent, before a bachelor's degree; renewal requires an annual renewal application, the FAFSA and good academic standing. Recipients are selected first-come, first-served.
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.