UMF attempts to award a combination of grants, loans, and work-study that will meet most of the need of eligible students (see details below) who have met the March 1 priority deadline. For this purpose, “need” is determined by the following formula as set forth by the Federal Government:

Cost of Attendance – Student Aid Index  = Need

In this formula, cost of attendance is a computation of the average college costs that a student may incur during the course of an academic year.  The actual costs for each student may vary.  The Student Aid Index (SAI) is determined by the Federal Processor and is based on the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Need — cost minus SAI — is the maximum amount of need-based aid for which a student may normally qualify.  Aid is awarded based on financial need, with the highest priority given to the neediest on-time applicants. To be considered an on-time applicant, the Federal Processor must receive the FAFSA by March 1.  Late applicants may experience late aid notification, decreased aid, increased loans, and/or late payment of aid.

Aid applications are reviewed throughout the year. Students are notified of aid eligibility, including Federal Direct Student Loan eligibility, by an award notification.  Please read through the award notice and all other documentation that comes with it to be certain that you understand what is being done to help you finance your education.

To receive need-based financial aid, a student must:

  • demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA;
  • have a high school diploma or GED;
  • be admitted as a degree candidate at UMF;
  • be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • have a valid Social Security Number;
  • be making satisfactory academic progress;
  • be in good academic standing or on academic probation

Please Note that a student who is academically suspended and fails to be reinstated is no longer eligible for matriculation at any campus of the University of Maine, and therefore, is ineligible for financial aid, including Federal educational loans, at those institutions.


Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact us. We look forward to helping you.

Merrill Center Student Services
University of Maine at Farmington
224 Main Street
Merrill Hall
Farmington, Maine 04938
tel  207-778-7100
fax  207-778-7555
TDD/TTY  207 778-7244
umfaid@maine.edu