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💰 University of Southern Maine Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
10
Automatic
6
In-State Awards
$1,000-$12,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$1,000-$12,000/yr
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
2.7 GPA

University of Southern Maine awards merit scholarships automatically on GPA and test scores, with no separate application. Awards run $1,000-$12,000/yr for out-of-state students. Eligibility starts at 2.7 GPA. Against tuition of $25,228, students receiving the largest award pay about $13,228 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at University of Southern Maine

Tuition & fees
$25,228
−
Largest annual award
$12,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$13,228/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $12,280), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on University of Southern Maine's website
Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at University of Southern Maine — no separate application

6 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

Dirigo Scholar Award
Award
$2,000-$10,000/yr in-state
$2,000-$10,000/yr out-of-state
In-State Requirements
GPA 3.0+
Award: Annual range $2,000 to $10,000
Eligibility: Merit Scholarship3.0  3.49 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
How to apply: ["complete USM application by April 1", "3.0 \t\u0013 3.49 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)"]
Source ↗
General merit award range
Award
$1,000-$11,000/yr in-state
$1,000-$11,000/yr out-of-state
Merit scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $11,000 annually.
Eligibility: Youll be considered for these renewable scholarships based on your admission application.
How to apply: ["complete USM application by April 1"]
Source ↗
President’s Scholar Award
Award
$4,000-$11,000/yr in-state
$4,000-$11,000/yr out-of-state
In-State Requirements
GPA 3.5+
Award: Annual range $4,000 to $11,000
Eligibility: Merit ScholarshipAll qualified incoming first-year students are automatically considered3.5 and above GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
How to apply: ["complete USM application by April 1", "3.5 and above GPA (on a 4.0 scale)"]
Source ↗
President’s Transfer Scholar
Award
$1,000-$9,000/yr in-state
$1,000-$9,000/yr out-of-state
In-State Requirements
GPA 3.5+
Award: Annual range $1,000 to $9,000
Eligibility: Merit ScholarshipCumulative transfer GPA 3.5 and above
How to apply: ["complete USM application by April 1", "cumulative transfer GPA 3.5 and above"]
Source ↗
USM Scholar - In State
Award
$1,000/yr in-state
Requirements
GPA 2.7+
Annual Award: In State $1,000 Out of State $7,000 Annual range $1,000 to $7,000
Eligibility: Students whose GPA falls between 2.67  2.99 at the time of admission could be eligible for this award. The University of Southern Maine uses a 4.0 scale to determine scholarship eligibility.
How to apply: ["complete a USM application (including official high school transcript)", "take a minimum of 12 credits during Fall and Spring semesters"]
📋 Renewal: 2.0 GPA, 12 credits Source ↗
USM Scholar - Out of State
Award
$7,000/yr out-of-state
Out-of-State Requirements
GPA 2.7+
Annual Award: In State $1,000 Out of State $7,000 Annual range $1,000 to $7,000
Eligibility: Students whose GPA falls between 2.67  2.99 at the time of admission could be eligible for this award. The University of Southern Maine uses a 4.0 scale to determine scholarship eligibility.
How to apply: ["complete a USM application (including official high school transcript)", "take a minimum of 12 credits during Fall and Spring semesters"]
📋 Renewal: 2.0 GPA, 12 credits Source ↗

Other scholarships at University of Southern Maine (4)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Alfond Ambassador Scholarship
$12,000/yr
Award: $12,000
Eligibility: Must maintain good academic standing and continuous, full-time student status throughout the program (exceptions can be made for approved leaves).Maintain full-time statusParticipate in all Alfond Ambassador program-related activitiesTravel to Greater Portland area, or other locations, for in-person events as scheduled
How to apply: ["maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing", "participate in all program-related activities"]
Source ↗
ConnectED Pathways Scholarship
$1,000/yr
Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Students who earned an Associates Degree from a Maine Community CollegeStudents admitted through the ConnectED Pathways programCannot be combined with other Merit Scholarships
How to apply: ["Associates Degree from a Maine Community College on record by Add/Drop deadline", "admission through the ConnectED Pathways program"]
Source ↗
Mountains to the Sea Scholarship
$2,000-$4,000/yr
Award: Annual award amount of $2,000 to $4,000
Eligibility: Residents of New Hampshire or VermontCompleted USM application and FAFSAFull-time student with at least 12 credits per semesterCannot be combined with other Merit Scholarships
How to apply: ["Completed USM application and FAFSA", "be a resident of New Hampshire or Vermont", "enroll full-time (minimum 12 credits per semester)"]
Source ↗
Music Merit Scholarship
Varies
Eligibility: Student must be a music major; Enrolled full time. (12 cr. Undergraduate; 6 cr. Graduate); Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA. (2.67 Undergraduate; 3.00 Graduate); School of Music audition must be completed by the last scheduled audition date in February.
How to apply: ["Faculty nomination", "Osher School of Music audition completed by last scheduled audition date in February", "enroll full-time", "maintain minimum cumulative GPA (2.67 undergraduate; 3.00 graduate)"]
Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at University of Southern Maine

Regular Decision
Rolling

Common questions about University of Southern Maine scholarships

How much merit aid does University of Southern Maine give?

Published awards range $1,000-$12,000/yr. University of Southern Maine lists 10 merit scholarships in total.

What GPA or test scores do you need for a scholarship at University of Southern Maine?

The lowest published threshold across automatic awards is 2.7 GPA. Individual scholarships set their own cutoffs.

Does University of Southern Maine give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $1,000-$12,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at University of Southern Maine?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 48% of tuition.

Do you have to apply separately for merit scholarships at University of Southern Maine?

5 of the published awards are granted automatically on your admission application, with no separate scholarship application.

When is the scholarship deadline at University of Southern Maine?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is Rolling. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

💡 Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with University of Southern Maine's financial aid office before making decisions — or check their scholarship page.

More on University of Southern Maine

Admissions, cost & outcomes → 🏈 Athletics & sports 📍 All schools in ME 💰 Schools with automatic merit

Other ME schools with automatic merit scholarships

Husson University Bangor, ME → Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME → University of Maine at Farmington Farmington, ME →