Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Maine offers a range of admissions-based merit scholarships specifically for high-achieving international undergraduate students. These awards are part of the university's commitment to attracting diverse global talent and are primarily awarded at the time of admission. Key programs include the Flagship Scholars Commitment Program, which encompasses the Flagship Match Commitment and Flagship Leaders Commitment, providing substantial financial support to reduce tuition costs.

The awarding body is the University of Maine itself, with the purpose of recognizing outstanding academic performance and supporting international students in pursuing their higher education goals in the United States. While these are merit-based, the university also considers factors such as campus diversity and field of study in its selection process. There are also broader merit scholarships for first-year students, such as the Presidential, Dean's, and Black Bear scholarships, which international students may also be considered for.

To be considered for international undergraduate admissions-based scholarships at the University of Maine, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• Nationalities: Applicants must be international students seeking an undergraduate degree at the University of Maine.
• Academic Level: The scholarships are available to both first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants.
• GPA: A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 is required to qualify for admissions-based scholarships. Certain higher-value merit scholarships may require a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Age Limits: No specific age limits are stated; the scholarships are for incoming undergraduate students.
• Language Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores. Acceptable tests and minimum scores include:
  • TOEFL iBT: 79 (pre-January 2026) or 4.5 (post-January 2026). UMaine's institution code is 3916. "MyBest Scores" are accepted.
  • TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English): 53
  • Exemptions may apply, which are detailed on the university's admissions website.
• Field Restrictions: There are no specific field-of-study restrictions for the general admissions-based international scholarships.

The international undergraduate scholarships at the University of Maine primarily cover a portion of tuition costs:

• Tuition: Scholarship amounts are awarded to reduce the overall tuition expense.
  • The Flagship Match Commitment provides an annual scholarship of USD 16,200.
  • The Flagship Leaders Commitment offers an annual award ranging from USD 9,000 to USD 12,000.
  • Other international scholarships range from US$5,000 to US$15,000 per academic year.
  • Merit scholarships such as the Presidential, Dean's, and Black Bear scholarships for non-Maine residents can range from $1,000 to $8,000 annually, totaling $4,000 to $60,000 over four years, depending on the award.
• Monthly Stipend: A monthly stipend is not typically part of these undergraduate admissions-based scholarships.
• Housing: These scholarships generally do not cover housing costs. For instance, while the University of Maine at Farmington's international merit scholarship requires recipients to live on campus to remain eligible, it specifically states that the award reduces tuition rather than covering full costs, and students are responsible for additional expenses.
• Flights, Insurance, Books, Other Perks: These scholarships typically do not include coverage for flights, insurance, books, or other personal perks. They are primarily focused on tuition reduction. Awards are renewable for up to eight semesters (four years) or 120 credits, provided the student meets specific renewal criteria, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress and a minimum cumulative GPA, and enrolling in at least part-time (no fewer than 6 graded credit hours) or full-time (no fewer than 12 graded credit hours for some awards) enrollment.

Applying for undergraduate admissions-based scholarships at the University of Maine is integrated into the general admission process:

• Application Portal: Applicants must complete one of the official application forms: either the Common Application or the ApplyMaine Application.
• Required Documents:
  • A completed application (Common Application or ApplyMaine).
  • A NACES-Accredited Transcript Evaluation of all secondary and post-secondary education, unless specifically exempt.
  • Official English Proficiency Test Scores, unless exempt.
  • While optional, the quality of a written essay and recommendation letters can be considered in the scholarship selection process.
• Scholarship Application: No separate scholarship application is required for the admissions-based international scholarships. All first-year and transfer international undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships at the time of their application for admission.
• Tips: Applying early is highly encouraged, especially by the First-Year Early Action deadline, as this allows for consideration for the maximum possible scholarship awards.

Meeting application deadlines is crucial for scholarship consideration:

• First-Year Early Action Application Deadline: December 1 of the preceding year for Fall admission. Students who apply and submit all required documents by this date will be considered for additional merit scholarships.
• Regular Application Deadline (First-Year and Transfer): March 1 for Fall admission. Scholarships are awarded as available for applications received by this date.
• Suggested Deadlines for Scholarship Consideration: November 1 for Spring admission, and April 1 for Fall admission.
• Final Deadlines for International Students (on a space-available basis):
  • Residing outside the US and Canada: July 15 for Fall admission; December 1 for Spring admission.
  • Residing in the US or Canada: August 1 for Fall admission; December 15 for Spring admission.

Reviewers at the University of Maine look for a holistic profile when awarding international undergraduate scholarships:

• Academic Performance: This is a primary factor, evaluated through the student's high school transcripts, cumulative GPA (minimum 2.5 required), and the rigor of coursework completed.
• English Proficiency: The strength of official English proficiency test scores is considered.
• Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT): While optional for admission, if submitted, these scores can be considered, though they are not required for scholarship consideration.
• Optional Materials: The quality of an applicant's written essay and any submitted recommendation letters may also be taken into account.
• Other Considerations: The university also considers factors such as campus diversity, the applicant's chosen field of academic study, gender, and other socio-economic considerations.
• Selection Process: Scholarships are awarded on an admissions-based system, meaning applicants are automatically considered for these awards once their complete admission application is reviewed. No separate scholarship application is needed.
• Number of Awards: A range of scholarship amounts are awarded, and the university offers a "limited number" of certain scholarships, such as the International Presidential Scholarship, indicating a competitive selection process for higher awards.