24-25 Merit Scholarships for NEBHE RSP Tuition Rate


The NEBHE Scholarship Commitment Program provides admissions-based scholarships to high achieving out-of-state students who qualify for the NEBHE tuition status.

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) has established the Regional Student Program (RSP) under which qualified residents of the region may receive reduced tuition rates when attending college in another New England state. The major chosen must be one that has been approved for the tuition reduction by the institution the student plans to attend. For additional information, please visit machias.edu/scholarships-aid/nebhe-program.

Awarded scholarships are in addition to the tuition break that students receive as part of the RSP.

No additional application is required to be considered for admissions-based scholarships.


 First-Year Eligibility Criteria:

  • Based on academic performance in high school, including GPA and rigor of coursework. 
  • Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to qualify for admissions-based scholarships.
  • Standardized test scores, such as the SAT and ACT, are optional for admissions and may be considered if they are available at the time of the scholarship review.

Transfer Eligibility Criteria:

  • Based on academic performance in college and/or high school coursework, including GPA and rigor of coursework.
  • Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to qualify for admissions-based scholarships.
  • Standardized test scores, such as the SAT and ACT, are optional for admissions and may be considered if they are available at the time of the scholarship review.


Specialized Scholarship Programs for NEBHE-Qualifying Students

UMaine Machias National Merit Award

Eligibility Criteria:  Semi-finalist with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Award Amount: 100% Tuition and fees, up to 15 credits per semester


2024-2025 Scholarship Terms and Conditions

General Scholarship Information


  • Filing a FAFSA is not required to receive merit-based scholarships at the time of admissions. Students are highly encouraged to file a FAFSA by March 1 in order to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid funds.
  • Scholarship amounts are a financial commitment made to students by the University of Maine at Machias. Some or all of the commitment funds may be replaced on the financial aid award by other University or endowed scholarships.
  • First-Year awards are renewable for up to a total of 8 semesters , provided that the student meets specific renewal criteria
  • Transfer awards are renewable for up to a total of 4 semesters, provided the student meets specific renewal criteria.
  • Award amounts are disbursed in two equal installments, one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester, as credit toward the student’s tuition account.
  • First Year awards must be used within a period not to exceed four years.
  • Transfer awards must be used within a period not to exceed three years.
  • Scholarship amount is determined at the time of admission and will remain fixed throughout the student’s undergraduate career, provided the student meets renewal eligibility requirements.

Renewal Criteria


  • Student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (see Office of Student Financial Aid for more information).
  • Student must maintain at least part-time enrollment (no fewer than 6 graded credit hours per semester) at their current tuition status leading to an undergraduate degree at the University of Maine at Machias.
  • Students are required to meet a minimum cumulative GPA each academic year in order to maintain eligibility for admissions-based scholarships.  Students will be sent a formal letter with the required GPA that they must meet.
  • UMaine Machias National Merit Award require students must maintain at least full-time enrollment (no fewer than 12 graded credit hours per semester) at their current tuition status leading to an undergraduate degree at UMaine Machias.

Enrollment Based Adjustments

UMaine Machias’ financial aid awards are based on the assumption that a student will enroll in 15 credits per semester. Some types of aid may be reduced for students who enroll in fewer than 15 credits. 

Please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid’s website for additional information regarding enrollment based adjustments.