•
Biddeford, Maine

鶹ý offers free tuition for qualified students

Fall aerial of 鶹ýBiddeford Campus
The program is intended to enhance the workforce in Maine and New England's growing industries.
Learn more about UNE's Tuition-Free Program

In an effort to attract top talent to New England, the 鶹ý has announced it will begin covering tuition costs for high-achieving students whose families earn less than $100,000. 

Starting in fall 2025, the University will provide free tuition to eligible high-performing graduating high school students from all states across the country. The announcement underscores UNE’s strong financial commitment to its students; currently, 98% of 鶹ýstudents receive financial aid from the University.  

鶹ýPresident James Herbert said the University’s decision comes as Maine and New England need to enhance their workforce to fulfill jobs in their growing business, bioscience, and life sciences industries and as the region continues to face workforce shortages in the health care and hospitality sectors. 

“鶹ýis committed to attracting high-achieving students from across the country to New England, and to Maine in particular, and to guaranteeing that they are poised for success in the workforce when they graduate,” Herbert said, noting that 鶹ýis Maine’s No. 1 provider of health care professionals and the No. 1 college or university in the state for job placement following graduation. “By removing financial barriers to a quality 鶹ýeducation, we hope to bolster the workforce pipeline in this region and ensure the long-term vitality of Maine and New England’s new economy.”

Herbert added that the tuition initiative reflects UNE’s commitment to ensuring the academic success of all students, including first-generation college students. At UNE, 30% of undergraduates admitted every year are the first in their family to attend college.

In addition to a qualifying high school GPA requirement, eligible students must be enrolled at 鶹ýfull-time, demonstrate high financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during each year of their undergraduate degree program, and live on campus for all four years.

For more information and to view a list of frequently asked questions, visit the Student Financial Services website.

Media Contact

Alan Bennett
Office of Communications
abennett11@une.edu

About the 鶹ý

The 鶹ý is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.