How Does Financial Aid Work for Adult Learners?
Everyone who attends college may be eligible for federal and state grants. Find out what you qualify for by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) (External Site).
Fill out the FAFSA every year between October 1 to June 30 to reapply for financial aid and scholarships. The earlier you apply, the better the financial aid package you are likely to receive.
Need help filing the FAFSA? The Maine Educational Opportunity Center can help for FREE! Contact an advisor for more information (External Site)!
Financial aid sources
From the federal government:
In Maine, approximately 75% of our students receive some form of financial assistance. You can explore your options by learning more about Pell and other Federal grants (External Site).
From the state of Maine:
Qualifying Maine adults can investigate scholarship and grant options through the Finance Authority of Maine (External Site). Look for more adult-centric scholarships through the Maine Adult Promise Program (External Site).
From The University of Maine System:
You may be eligible for a scholarship or tuition waiver from the University of Maine System. Additionally, the financial aid office at your campus will be able to tell you if there are additional University-specific scholarships and grants available to you.
Adult centric scholarships:
There are many scholarships available through the Maine Adult Promise Program (External Site) and the University of Maine System’s Adult Scholarships and Tuition Waiver page.
From lenders:
Direct Loans are low-interest loans to help pay for the cost of your education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education (External Site). However, most of the contact will be with your loan servicer. Subsidized loans have no interest charged while you are in school at least half-time, during the grace period and deferment periods. Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need and interest is charged during all periods, even during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment period.
More information
Additional federal and state resources:
Learn more about federal and state resources at the US Dept of Education Student Aid on the Web (External Site) and State of Maine State Financial Aid Programs (External Site).
Beware of scholarship scams:
Use only free scholarship searches. You should never pay for scholarship information.