SWAGÊÓƵ

SWAGÊÓƵ’s Tuition-Free Program (TFP) provides eligible students accepted for fall 2025 into an undergraduate program of study with the opportunity to attend the University tuition free.

The TFP covers tuition for full-time enrollment in an undergraduate program for eligible students. Additional educational related costs include, but are not limited to, required fees, residence hall, and dining charges.

The TFP is available for all eligible students accepted into any undergraduate program of study for fall 2025. If eligible students are accepted into accelerated programs (for example, a 3+2 program), the TFP applies only to the undergraduate portion of their program.

Eligible students who meet the requirements of the TFP program can attend SWAGÊÓƵ tuition free for up to four years of undergraduate study. Students who extend their enrollment beyond four years will no longer qualify for the TFP.

The TFP is available for both in-state and out-of-state students who meet the eligibility requirements.

The TFP reflects a strong commitment to student success and the economic development of Maine and New England. By removing financial barriers, SWAGÊÓƵ aims to attract high-achieving students, address workforce shortages, and prepare graduates for careers in health care, biosciences, life sciences, and other growing industries.

Eligible students must meet the following criteria:

• Accepted into an undergraduate program of study for fall 2025 of the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Have a cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 3.85 or higher.
• First-time, first-year students only, attending college immediately or shortly after graduating from high school.
• Attend the University on a full-time basis. This is defined as a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
• Live on campus. 
• Must file a FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year, demonstrate an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of less than $100,000 for the 2023 tax year, and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 0.
• Must accept all Federal and State Grant Aid included in the financial aid package.
• Must be classified as a dependent for financial aid purposes. Independent students should reach out to Student Financial Services for details about eligibility.  

To determine student dependency status and which parent to list as a contributor on the FAFSA, please visit .

Transfer and international students do not qualify.

To review basic financial aid eligibility, please visit .

The selection process for the Honors College is distinct from the TFP. If you are eligible for the Honors College, you will be contacted about this separately. If you are interested in learning more about the Honors College, please visit /honors-college.

Provided they meet the criteria, gap year students who would enter SWAGÊÓƵ as first-time, first-year students are eligible for the TFP.

There is no application or request process. To be considered for the TFP, students must be accepted to SWAGÊÓƵ for fall 2025 and have a valid 2025-2026 FAFSA on file. Use of the Direct Data Exchange on the FAFSA is required. Upon receipt, SWAGÊÓƵ Student Financial Services will automatically review the FAFSA to determine eligibility. If a student meets all TFP criteria, their financial aid package will indicate eligibility.

To learn more about the financial aid application process at SWAGÊÓƵ, please visit /sfs/undergraduate/applying-aid.

No. If you meet all conditions for the program, you will automatically be eligible for the program regardless of when you apply to SWAGÊÓƵ, so long as you are admitted for the fall 2025 semester.

If a student meets all TFP criteria, their financial aid offer package will indicate eligibility for the program. Student Financial Services will begin sending electronic financial aid offer letters in January 2025. To be considered for the TFP and all financial aid opportunities, students must submit a 2025-2026 FAFSA.

Yes. Students who continue to meet conditions of the Tuition-Free Program will remain eligible to attend SWAGÊÓƵ tuition-free for up to four years of undergraduate study.

The TFP will cover the full cost of tuition, including any tuition increases during your eligibility time at SWAGÊÓƵ.

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for continued eligibility. If a student’s GPA falls below this threshold, they will not be eligible for the TFP.

Students must maintain full-time enrollment in an undergraduate program of study to maintain eligibility for the TFP. If a student drops below full-time enrollment, they will no longer qualify for the TFP, and their financial aid eligibility will be reassessed in accordance with university policy.

If a student withdraws or takes a leave of absence, they will no longer be eligible for the TFP.

The Tuition-Free Program covers only the published full tuition and does not include any additional costs associated with course overloads.

If a student is eligible for federal or state funding, it will be included as part of the financial aid package. Students eligible for the TFP will be offered financial aid funding to cover the full cost of tuition. In most instances, receipt of outside scholarships will not impact eligibility for TFP, however all outside scholarships must be reported to Student Financial Services.

If a student fails a course, their cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or above to maintain eligibility for the TFP. If a student extends enrollment beyond four years, they will no longer be eligible for the TFP.

The TFP will cover tuition for SWAGÊÓƵ’s study abroad program in Tangier, Morocco. The TFP does not cover the cost of tuition for other study abroad programs or travel courses.

The TFP is only available for full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters and does not cover summer enrollment.

The TFP does not affect eligibility for student loans or Federal Work Study. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to be eligible for federal direct loans and federal work study.

Each semester, students will see a tuition charge on their account along with credit transactions covering the full tuition amount.