Promise Scholarship Program

Too often, a college degree remains out of reach for Maine’s talented young people. The University of Southern Maine’s Promise Scholarship program helps students take that next step to higher education — and a chance to transform big dreams into reality. The Promise Scholarship is designed to help underserved young achievers from Maine overcome financial, academic, social, and cultural barriers, remain in school, and graduate in four years with little or no debt — prepared to make their own contributions to Maine’s social and economic well-being. Our program supports up to 100 scholars every year – approximately 25 in each class – with top-off, multi-year scholarship awards that covers 100% of a scholar’s demonstrated need, as determined by the FAFSA, in meeting the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and meals. The Promise Scholarship award amount varies by student and is on-top of a scholar’s other aid including federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. The Promise Scholarship program is designed to enable students to graduate in four years with minimal to no debt.