Financial Aid for International Students
International Aid Options
If you are neither a U.S. Citizen nor an eligible non-citizen, you do not qualify for U.S. Federal financial aid. Student employment may be available through the University work-study program. This program usually allows students to work 7-8 hours a week on campus. To be considered for this type of employment, a University work-study application is required.
We encourage you to seek financial assistance through sponsors or Alternative loans.
Scholarships
As an international student, you may be eligible for the scholarships and resources listed below.
Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award gives a $30,000 stipend to graduating students to perform public service.
Margaret McNamara Education Grants
The Margaret McNamara Education Grants are available to international, self-identifying women age 25 or older.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program offers scholarships for students from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. Requirements & deadlines vary by country.
International Peace Scholarship
The International Peace Scholarship Fund was established in 1949 to provide scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the U.S. or Canada.
MPOWER Financing Scholarships
MPOWER Financing offers several scholarships to international and DACA students.
Adult Learner Scholarship
The Adult Learner Scholarship, provided by the Maine Community Foundation, offers funds for Maine’s nontraditional students who want to change their life for the better through education and training.
Scholarships Specifically for DACA Students
The DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) immigration policy protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States as children from deportation. Students falling under the DACA program could be eligible for the following scholarships.
MPOWER Financing Scholarships
MPOWER Financing offers several scholarships to international and DACA students.
Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
The Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders provides funds to undergraduate DACA and immigrant students of Hispanic ancestry who demonstrate financial need.
The Dream
The Dream offers two scholarship opportunities to students with DACA status. Students without DACA or TPS status who came to the U.S. before 2016 are also eligible. Eligibility is based on where the student resides.
Scholarship Databases
For students looking for additional scholarship options, there are several scholarship listings and search engines from which to find a scholarship that suits your needs and circumstances.
International Scholarship Search
The International Scholarship Search provides a comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist students from around the world wishing to study in the U.S.
FastWeb Scholarship Search
FastWeb is an online resource available to help students find scholarships and grants for which they are eligible. While registration is required, it provides students with free, personalized scholarship recommendations.
International Education Financial Aid
With a mission to promote international education worldwide, IEFA offers a comprehensive, searchable scholarship and grant database for international students.
FAME: Scholarships for New Mainers
The Finance Authority of Maine offers a list of recommended scholarships open to students of various citizenship statuses moving to Maine for their higher education.
eduPASS: Scholarships
eduPASS offers international students scholarship resources, including the eduPASS Toolkit, advice for finding scholarships to study in the U.S. and Canada, and a list of available scholarship competitions and searches.
Alternative Loans
Alternative Loans (in U.S. funds) through U.S. lenders may provide financial assistance to you or your parents if you can’t borrow traditional student loan programs or enough money to cover your college costs. You don’t typically need to submit a FAFSA to be considered for this assistance.
Earnest Student Loans
Earnest offers student loans to international students who have a Social Security Number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), a physical address in the U.S., and a co-signer who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
SoFi Private Student Loans
SoFi provides no-fee private student loans to undergraduate and graduate students, parents (or sponsors) of students, and career-specific student loans for business, law, and health professions.
Ascent International Student Loans
Ascent provides loans to both undergraduate and graduate international students who have a co-signer.
More alternative loan options and resources are available from Investopedia’s list of best international student loans.
University Work-Study
A Limited amount of money may be available through the University Work-Study program if you don’t qualify for federal work-study. As a student, you are limited to part-time employment during the school year but may work 40 hours per week (for an average of 7.5 weeks) if employed under the summer University Work-Study program. Eligibility is not based on need, and the FAFSA isn’t required for consideration. Work-study earnings are paid every two weeks. You can apply for work-study jobs online through the UMFK portal.