Tuition Waiver Programs

Applications are available online in March of each year; the 2024-2025 application is now available. The application is a PDF document which you must print, complete, sign, and mail to FAME. 

The application asks for:

• Your personal information: Legal name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address, and email address
• Your education plans: Name of the school you are attending (if applicable) and name of the school you plan to attend
• The name, email address, and telephone number of your JMG Specialist, if applicable

You must also complete the following additional steps:

• Provide proof of acceptance or enrollment at an eligible Maine school
• File the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • You must submit your FAFSA now as part of your application even though FAFSA processing is delayed until mid-March.

Only post-marked applications will be accepted. We cannot accept faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications. The application does not need to be sent via expedited mail.

Eligible students must meet one of the following conditions at the time of graduation from high school or upon completion of HiSET/GED or equivalent:

• Be in Maine’s foster care program
• Be adopted from Maine’s foster care program and adoptive parent(s) receive a subsidy from Maine DHHS*
• Be a minor ward of a permanency guardian and guardian(s) receive a subsidy from Maine DHHS

Note: FAME will verify your status with DHHS upon receipt of your application.

* If the Maine DHHS subsidy is waived by the adoptive parent(s), the student is no longer eligible for a tuition waiver.

The 2024-2025 application cycle is now closed. The 2025-2026 application cycle will open in March 2025.

Tuition Waiver Program (Foster Care) applications are available online in March. You may download the application via the program link below.

1. Complete the Tuition Waiver Program (Foster Care) Application.
2. Provide proof of acceptance or enrollment in an undergraduate degree program by submitting one of the following:
   • A copy of your college admissions acceptance letter from a Maine postsecondary educational institution
   • A letter from the college registrar’s office confirming your degree program status
   • A copy of your current college transcript showing your degree program status
3. File the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Only post-marked applications will be accepted. 
• The envelope must have the correct postmark date clearly visible and legible. This can be done by having the postmaster hand stamp the envelope with the postmark.
• We cannot accept faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications.
• The application does not need to be sent via expedited mail.

FAME selects qualified students on a first-come, first-served basis.

The award is the actual amount of tuition waived at the college/university that you attend. Tuition Waiver may be used for any attendance during fall and spring terms. During summer terms, Tuition Waiver may only be used for full-time attendance.

Yes! The award is renewable for up to five years of full-time enrollment or the equivalent, prior to receipt of a baccalaureate degree.

Renewal applications are mailed annually to current recipients by the end of March. In addition to annually completing the renewal application, recipients must complete the FAFSA and continue to be in good academic standing.

Please contact a FAME Education Program Specialist at Education@FAMEmaine.com, if you do not receive a renewal application.

• All University of Maine schools
• All Maine community colleges
• Maine Maritime Academy

Tuition Waiver (Foster Care) is governed by Maine law as set forth in 20-A M.R.S.A. §12571 et seq. and Chapter 608 of the Rules of the Finance Authority of Maine.

Eligible students must meet one of the following conditions at the time of graduation from high school or upon completion of HiSET/GED or equivalent:

• The Maine resident child of an active Maine firefighter, emergency medical services provider, or full-time law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, who was under 21 years of age at the time of the parent’s death, or
• The Maine resident spouse of an active Maine firefighter, emergency medical services provider, or full-time law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty

The Tuition Waiver Program (Public Servant) Application is available online. You may download the application via the program link below.

1. Complete the Tuition Waiver Program (Public Servant) Application.
2. Provide proof of acceptance or enrollment in an undergraduate degree program by submitting one of the following:
   • A copy of the college admissions acceptance letter from a Maine postsecondary educational institution
   • A letter from the college registrar’s office confirming your degree program status
   • A current college transcript showing your degree program status
3. Attach legal documentation for one of the following:
   • Child: Verifying you are the natural or legally adopted child of the deceased, and that you were less than 21 years of age at the time of death
   • Spouse: Verifying you were legally married to the deceased at the time of death
4. Provide a copy of the death certificate.
5. Submit a notarized statement from a local government official confirming the death occurred in the line of duty.
6. File the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Submit your completed application to:

FAME
PO Box 949
Augusta, ME 04332-0949

Note: Only post-marked applications will be accepted. We cannot accept faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications. The application does not need to be mailed overnight or through expedited mail.

There is no deadline for the Tuition Waiver Program (Public Servant) application.

The award is the actual amount of tuition waived at the college/university that you attend. Tuition Waiver may be used for any attendance during fall and spring terms. During summer terms, Tuition Waiver may only be used for full-time attendance.

Yes! The award is renewable for up to five years of full-time enrollment or the equivalent, prior to receipt of a baccalaureate degree.

Renewal applications are mailed annually to current recipients by the end of March. In addition to annually completing the renewal application, recipients must complete the FAFSA and continue to be in good academic standing

• All University of Maine schools
• All Maine community colleges
• Maine Maritime Academy

Tuition Waiver (Public Servant) is governed by Maine law as set forth in 20-A M.R.S.A. §12571 et seq. and Chapter 608 of the Rules of the Finance Authority of Maine.