Native American Waiver and Scholarship Program
Program Guidelines
Effective Date: May 2008
Purpose
The purpose of the North American Indian Waiver and Scholarship is to encourage North American Indian students to participate in public higher education in Maine. Our goal is to provide sustained support for all UMS North American Indian students who wish to pursue post-secondary study and, in particular, those who wish to obtain a certificate and/or an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree or some other appropriate credential that will serve them personally and professionally as they plan for the future.
Eligibility
This program covers tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board charges for:
a. Individuals whose names are included on the current tribal census or who have at least one parent or grandparent who are included on the current tribal census of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet, the Aroostook Band of Micmac, or
b. Individuals who are included on a current tribal census or who have at least one parent or grandparent included on the census of a state, federal, or provincial North American Indian Tribe.
Proof of residency is required for all applicants with the exception of current tribal members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet, or the Aroostook Band of Micmac.
To maintain the waiver, students must remain eligible to register for classes. To maintain the room and board scholarship, students must show satisfactory academic progress as defined by federal guidelines. Additionally, students must apply for financial aid by October 15 to receive the scholarship for the fall semester and/or academic year or March 1 to receive the scholarship for spring semester.
Students must notify the Wabanaki Center of their intentions of either transferring to, or participating in a course on, a UMS campus where they are not currently enrolled. Students must also contact the coordinator of the campus they will be attending to sign a new agreement letter. Students must also contact the appropriate offices to transfer their financial aid package.
Tuition and Mandatory Fees Waiver
Tuition and mandatory fees (required fees charged of all students enrolled at the institution and automatically assessed at the time of registration exclusive of travel and accommodation fees related to travel courses) will be waived for qualified students, both matriculated and non-matriculated, who are enrolled in academic, credit-bearing courses at the undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education level at the campuses of the University of Maine System.
Room and Board Scholarship
1. To qualify for the room and board scholarship, applicants must be matriculated students in an undergraduate or graduate degree program within the University of Maine system, enrolled in a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours for undergraduates or nine (9) credit hours for graduate students at USM, or six (6) credits hours for graduate students at UM, and living in a residence hall on one of the campuses of a University of Maine System institution. Room and board charges will be covered ONLY during the time period when the student is actively enrolled.
2. To be eligible for the North American Indian Scholarship, matriculated students must first apply for financial aid through the process outlined at their institution.
3. An eligible North American Indian student’s university bill will be credited with a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees and/or room and board scholarship after initial authorization from the campus staff member serving as Coordinator/Director of the North American Indian Waiver and Scholarship Program and the financial aid office.
4. The total amount a student receives from the North American Indian Waiver and Scholarship Program and from all other sources of financial support from outside agencies for the same purpose may not exceed the total cost of attendance.
5. Room charges will be subsidized at the double occupancy rate for the student’s residence. Charges for single, double single, or computer or telephone devices, for which there is a separate charge, will be the responsibility of the student tenant.
6. Standard meal plan not to exceed the cost of the maximum meal plan.
7. Students who maintain a permanent private residence, other than the parent’s home, within commuting distance of the university are NOT eligible for room and board scholarships.
8. Persons employed by the University of Maine System on a half-time or greater basis and who are carried on the University employee payroll are NOT eligible for the room and board scholarship.
9. Students enrolled in course work during short sessions outside the regular fall and spring semesters may be considered for a room and board scholarship while carrying fewer than the minimum credit hours specified above. The scholarship covers room and board charges only during that time period when the student is regularly enrolled and attending classes. However, some campuses may not offer meal plans during those times. Please consult with the campus regarding availability.