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Post-Secondary Education Tuition Waiver

If you are in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services at the time that you graduate from high school or get your General Equivalency Diploma (GED), you are eligible for a "tuition waiver" if you are planning to attend one of the University of Maine system colleges, one of the state's Vocational Technical colleges, or Maine Maritime Academy. If you meet the requirements that are described below, you may attend one of the schools covered by the tuition waiver, tuition free, until you complete your college undergraduate degree. The tuition waiver is available by law (P.L. # 2657). The law is not retroactive. The tuition waiver is in effect beginning in the Fall of 2000. The Finance Authority of Maine has been designated to administer the application of the law and has drafted rules with regard to administering the tuition waiver.

According to the tuition waiver law, you are required to apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each year that you attend college. You will need the federal grant assistance (PELL grant, SEOG) in order to pay for your dorm room, food, books, and fees.

The tuition waiver is available to no more than 25 "new students" (freshman) per year. You are eligible for the tuition waiver if:

1. You are in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services when you graduate from high school, or get your GED.
2. You are a resident of the state of Maine.
3. You have been accepted for admission to one of the schools covered by the tuition waiver.

After your freshman year, you will continue to remain eligible for the tuition waiver provided you meet the following conditions:

1. You are a full-time student in good academic standing. (i.e. not failing coursework, or getting on academic probation)
2. Submit a re-application form to the Finance Authority of Maine with the documentation described below.

You must submit an application form to the Finance Authority of Maine in order to qualify for the waiver. You may obtain an application form from:

Ms. Trisha Malloy, Program Officer
Finance Authority of Maine
5 Community Drive
Augusta, Maine 04333
E-mail: trisha@famemaine.com
Tel: 1-800-228-3734, or (207) 623-3263

Any questions that you have about applying for the tuition waiver should be directed to Ms. Malloy at the Finance Authority of Maine. Your application should be submitted as soon as possible prior to the beginning of the school year.

If you are a freshman, you need to submit the following documentation to the Finance Authority of Maine along with your application form:

1. A letter from your Department caseworker indicating that you were in care at the time you graduated from high school, or got your GED.
2. A copy of your Financial Aid Award letter. (FAFSA)
3. A copy of your college admissions acceptance letter.

If you are reapplying for the tuition waiver after your freshman year of college, you need to submit a re-application form to the Finance Authority of Maine along with the following documentation:

1. A copy of a letter from Registrar's Office of the college you are attending indicating that you are a student in good academic standing.
2. A copy of your Financial Aid Award letter. (FAFSA)

For those students who are beyond their freshman year (for the 2000-2001 school year) in one of the colleges covered by the tuition waiver, the Department of Health and Human Services will continue to provide financial assistance until their undergraduate degree is completed provided the following conditions are met:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year.
2. Remain in good academic standing. (not failing courses, or on academic probation)
3. Complete the Department's application for college financial assistance. (the form may be obtained through your Department caseworker, or Life Skills caseworker)

If there are more than 25 "new students" (freshman) in an academic year who are planning to attend one of the schools covered by the tuition waiver, the Department will provide financial assistance for those students if the above conditions are met.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS NOT IN ONE OF THE COLLEGES COVERED BY THE TUITION WAIVER

The Department of Health and Human Services will continue to provide post-secondary education financial assistance for those students who are not attending one of the colleges covered by the tuition waiver provided you meet the conditions described above.

If you will become 21 years of age before you complete your undergraduate degree, it may be possible to receive financial assistance from the Department until you complete your college undergraduate degree. The conditions listed above will also apply to you as well.

If you have questions about the financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services, you may contact your Life Skills caseworker, or the following person:

Hugh Sipowicz, Independent Living Program Manager
Tel: (207) 287-6259
E-Mail: hugh.e.sipowicz@maine.gov

 

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