HOPE – Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment – To help Maine families pursue training and education beyond high school by addressing barriers to success. May be eligible for assistance if you (the student) have a minor child at home. www.maine.gov/dhhs/hope
Parents as Scholars (PAS) – Another program offered by DHHS to assist parents involved in a two or four-year postsecondary program. It offers a monthly benefit based on guidelines for the TANF program. https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/tanf
Maine Community Action Partnership agencies – Community Action Agencies work to assist low-income individuals and families access needed resources. Find your local community action agency.
If you feel you are in great distress during this stressful time, or at any other time, please reach out to any of these critical support agencies. Critical MAINE HOTLINE NUMBERS
General Assistance is a program administered through municipalities which purchases basic necessities for individuals who are without means to pay for such services. Applications for General Assistance can be made at any local municipal office.
Need Help Paying Bills? (External Site) This organization provides information on assistance programs, charity organizations, and resources that provide help paying bills, mortgage and debt relief (financial, rent and government assistance.
CA$H Maine: Creating assets, savings and hope by helping you to set up your budget, reduce your debt and/or build your savings.
Comprehensive resources to help you find employment due to layoff or the school year ending. Maine Career Centers
New Ventures Maine: New Ventures Maine creates an empowering environment for Maine people to define and achieve their career, financial and small business goals. Through tuition-free classes and individual coaching, New Ventures Maine helps people find good jobs, start or return to college, launch small businesses, manage their money and build their assets.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, helps Mainers with low incomes get the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. The program provides support to help stretch your household food budget. It is not intended to meet all of your household’s food needs. It is a supplement. If you are approved for SNAP, you can use your benefits at many stores, farmers markets and senior dining sites. More information on SNAP eligibility and application process.
Other food assistance programs Get help from food shelves, food banks, and organizations that offer free meals. The Care and Share Food Closet – Thrifty Beaver Co-op at UMF
Career Planning and College Application Assistance
If you need help with the college preparation, application or transitions process, learn more about the assistance available through these programs:
Maine College Transitions
Maine Educational Opportunity Center
Other Resources to Investigate
Depending on your specific circumstances, these resources may help you afford to go back to school:
Maine Department of Health and Human Services provides a wide range of programs and services to support children and families.
Maine State Housing Authority offers various programs, including subsidized and voucher housing assistance, energy assistance and home ownership support, that benefit low and moderate income families.
Maine Department of Labor – Unemployment Insurance provides information on unemployment benefits.
Maine Department of Labor – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services offers a variety of programs to support individuals with disabilities.
211 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of over 8,000 health and human services available in Maine.
Scholarships for Adult Students
Maine Competitive Skills Scholarship
Adult Degree Completion Scholarship
Emergency Funds – Contact the Financial Aid Office for Instructions on how to apply.
Ferro Completion Grant Program – There are times when a student’s financial circumstances can suddenly change. A major illness, the loss of a job, a family tragedy, or even unanticipated car repairs are all examples of events that can derail a student’s college career. In the event that a student encounters a financial emergency that poses an urgent and immediate threat to completion of their UMF degree, you may be eligible for these one-time funds.
Emergency Loan Program – There are short-term loans available to help cover immediate expenses that you are unable to pay due to a delay in the receipt of expected funding. These loans are expected to be repaid within 30 days with no interest.
Farmington Forward Grant – Full-time students with unforeseen financial hardship will be eligible to receive an emergency grant to help them remain at UMF and complete their degree. This is one-time funding to full-time students with financial need, and requires a cumulative GPA of 2.5
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