Student Loans can be a valuable option for funding your education. Understand, though, you are expected to repay your student loans when you have completed your degree or are no longer enrolled at least half time in an accredited program.

Direct Stafford Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loans are low-interest loans made to students attending UMF at least half time. Students do not have to make any payments on the loan during deferment periods. Students who do not qualify for the federal interest subsidy are responsible for the interest which accrues on the loan during deferment periods.

Applications are available from the UMF Financial Aid Office. Because eligibility for the interest subsidy is based on financial need, all Direct Stafford Loan applicants must first have their eligibility for need-based financial aid determined. For eligibility to be determined, a student must complete and submit the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA to the Federal Processor.

Note: There are two types of Direct Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. The Federal government pays the interest on subsidized Direct Stafford Loans while the student is in school and enrolled for at least 6 credits or in a deferment period. With unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans, the student is responsible to either pay or capitalize the interest while in school or during a deferment period.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Federal Direct PLUS Loans (parent loans) are available through the federal government and are based solely on credit-worthiness. Parents can apply for a Direct PLUS Loan at studentloans.gov.

Alternative Education Loans

Alternative Education Loans are available to credit-worthy borrowers and cosigners from participating lending institutions. See more about these private, alternative loans. For details, contact the UMF Financial Aid Office.

Educators for Maine Program

The Educators for Maine Program is a renewable loan program administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) for Maine residents who plan to become teachers. The loans may be forgiven in exchange for teaching service in a Maine public school.

Recipients who do not teach in Maine after college must repay the loan at a fixed interest rate determined at the time of loan approval.

Applications are due at FAME May 1st prior to the academic year. Information about eligibility and application is available from the UMF Financial Aid Office.

UMF Emergency Loans

Small, short-term, and interest-free emergency loans are available to University of Maine at Farmington students during the regular academic year. Generously funded by contributions from former UMF students, these loans are for bona fide emergencies which cannot be anticipated and are not for paying University charges.


Contact Us

If you have questions any time during the financial aid process, please contact us. We look forward to helping you.

Financial Aid Office / 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
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfaid@maine.edu