“I thank the University of Maine System for establishing the Lewiston Strong Tuition Waiver and Scholarship Fund, which will ensure that the cost of higher education will never be a barrier for those directly impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston. Through their boundless generosity, Maine people are demonstrating that our state will stand by those who were injured and the families of those who were killed in the months, years and decades to come.” – Governor Janet Mills
“By all accounts, those who were tragically killed were deeply devoted to their families and working hard to provide them a strong future. While nothing will bring them back, the University of Maine System believes that the best way we can honor the memories of those taken too soon is to ensure their loved ones can easily access postsecondary education and opportunity. Beyond unimaginable grief, we know there is also overwhelming anxiety about financial and other responsibilities for those directly impacted, especially for those who are suddenly single parents or who were physically injured because of this horrific mass shooting. Our hope is that by committing to cover these college costs, it will alleviate one of the many burdens these families are now unfortunately facing and make it easier for them to rebuild their lives and our community.” – UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy
To support the greater Lewiston community and families devastated by the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine on October 25, 2023, the University of Maine System has established a new tuition waiver to enable surviving family members of the deceased and those physically injured in the tragedy to pursue a bachelor’s degree at any of Maine’s public universities without paying out-of-pocket for tuition and fees. Those eligible for the Lewiston Strong Tuition Waiver include:
Surviving family members, specifically:
- Spouses or individuals engaged as of October 25, 2023 to those deceased as a result of the mass shooting.
- Biological and legally adopted children of those deceased as a result of the mass shooting as well as children living in the household for at least three years prior to October 25, 2023 and stepchildren whose parent was legally married as of October 25, 2023 to an individual deceased as a result of the mass shooting.
Physically injured victims, specifically:
- Individuals physically injured at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on October 25, 2023.
Consistent with existing tuition waivers established by the Maine Legislature and UMS, to receive a waiver, eligible individuals would be required to have a high school degree or its equivalent, be accepted to a UMS university and matriculated in an undergraduate degree program, and enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. The waiver would be “last-dollar,” meaning other scholarships and grants for which the individual is eligible (e.g. federal Pell grants, Maine State Grant, etc.) would be applied first, and the university would waive the remaining balance. The waiver would be renewed annually until the individual receives a baccalaureate degree or for up to six years, whichever comes first.
UMS will work with the Office of the Maine Attorney General to verify eligibility, and requests that eligible individuals complete a non-binding “expression of interest” form no later than December 31, 2024. The Chancellor’s Office will maintain a list of eligible recipients in perpetuity.
Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund
In addition to the waiver, UMS has also established a Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund that will allow the public to invest in the futures of those directly impacted by the Lewiston shooting. The fund, which will be managed by the University of Maine Foundation, will help defray other costs of college attendance including room, board and books, with preference given to those eligible for the waiver.
To donate to the fund through the UMaine Foundation, please visit our.umaine.edu/lewiston or mail checks to Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund c/o UMaine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792.
To donate to the fund through the University of Southern Maine Foundation, please visit usm.maine.edu/lewistonstrong or mail checks to Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund c/o USM Foundation P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300.