Postsecondary Resources
Career & College Planning, Understanding FAFSA, Scholarships, Grants & Tuition Assistance, Student Loans, HOPE & PaS Programs, Additional Resources & Tools
Choosing Your Postsecondary Pathway
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Career & College Planning
Make a Plan! Developing a plan can make postsecondary education more attainable and affordable. The Finance Authority of Maine offers tools to help you plan and save for higher education.
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Find the Right Fit
The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard allows you to search and compare colleges and research other career pathways.
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Maine Colleges & Universities
Discover the postsecondary educational opportunities available to students here in Maine.
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Research Schools
Not sure what college or career school might be right for you? Studentaid.gov offers information on the steps you can take to research possible colleges or career schools.
Understanding FAFSA
All students should submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. The FAFSA is used by all schools to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Many schools use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their institution’s financial aid.
NEW FOR 2024-2025
The 2024-2025 FAFSA form expands eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell Grants. With the new form, applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants could answer as few as 18 questions, which could take less than 10 minutes.
Who can file a FAFSA? Adult students, as well as recent high school graduates, are eligible.
Why file a FAFSA? Grants, which do not have to be paid back, and low-interest loans can help ease the burden of tuition costs. Federally funded work-study programs can put some extra money in a student’s pocket to help with incidental expenses during the school year.
More to know about filing: Unlike many scholarship programs, federal student aid does not consider academic performance, although students receiving aid must meet their college’s standard for satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving aid.
Learn About FAFSA
The FAFSA becomes available on October 1 each year. You must file a FAFSA every year to be considered for financial aid.
Filling Out the FAFSA
Students and parents are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA form as soon as possible to meet FAFSA federal, state, and school deadlines.
FAFSA Next Steps
Submitting your FAFSA form is an important step in paying for college. Learn about the next steps to stay on track to accept and receive your aid.
Scholarships, Grants & Tuition Assistance
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College Board Scholarship Search
College Board and Big Future offer a directory of more than 10,000 scholarships available to students across the country.
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FAME Maine Scholarship Search
The Finance Authority of Maine’s Scholarship Search offers a comprehensive list of scholarships available to Maine students.
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Federal Pell Grant Program
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded to undergraduate students who display financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
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Free Community College
Maine residents who graduated high school or earned the equivalent of a high school diploma from 2020-2025 can attend Maine community colleges tuition-free.
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Maine Grant and Tuition Programs
Maine provides grants for Maine students attending college or career school. Unlike loans, grants are sources of free money that generally do not have to be repaid.
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Tuition Assistance through Employers
The Finance Authority of Maine has compiled a list of employers who offer some kind of tuition assistance. You are encouraged to contact your employer to see if they offer tuition assistance.
Student Loans
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Borrowing Student Loans
Before you borrow, be informed of your options including borrowing less, using forgivable loan options, and knowing the differences between federal, private, and Maine student loans.
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Education Tax Benefits
Take advantage of tax benefits for money you spend on education. Both the state of Maine and the federal government offer tax credits and deductions.
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Repaying Student Loans
When the time comes to repay your student loans, there are some things you need to know. Whether it’s how to do it or how to refinance or consolidate to save, the Finance Authority of Maine provides important information.
HOPE & PaS Programs
Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment and Parents as Scholars
The HOPE and PaS Programs from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services support parenting Mainers in reaching their educational and career goals. Each program has Pathway Navigator services, provided by JMG, to support you in reaching your goal.
Maine Resource Center
The Maine Resource Center is made possible by the HOPE and PaS partnership with JMG. The resource center is made available to all students to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful as they pursue their education.
Additional Resources and Tools
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Career Readiness
Discover important tools and resources to help guide you on your career exploration journey.
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Financial Calculators
FAME has pulled together a set of calculators that will help you determine the cost of going to college, loan consolidation, and more.
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Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is key to understanding how to earn, save, borrow, and protect your money wisely.
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Maine Employers
Maine has a robust economy with employers in healthcare, finance, electronics, food production, lumber, shipbuilding, tourism sectors, and more.