Affording MMA

The decision to attend college requires both a personal and financial commitment. Maine Maritime Academy believes that this important undertaking should not be constrained by financial considerations. The college strives to make a Maine Maritime Academy education affordable to all qualified applicants and enrolled students whenever possible.

More than seventy percent of our students currently receive need-based financial aid. Federal, State, and campus-based programs are available to help defray the cost of education. The typical length of matriculation for on-campus, residential students is 4 or 5 years for a B.S. degree, 2 years for an A.S. degree, and 1 year for a M.S. degree. Maine Maritime Academy achieves a graduation rate for all first-time B.S. students of 72% , graduating within six years (4 year average based on 2011-2014 cohort years) and as reported to the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System / IPEDS (Graduation Rates 2020-21 Survey). Over 90% of MMA students enrolled in the unlimited license programs successfully pass the U.S. Coast Guard license exam by graduation.

Based on the graduating class of 2020, the average student indebtedness was $56,897.

Any enrolled student who qualifies for aid will receive it to the extent that funds are available. The amount of the award is dependent upon financial need and, therefore, reflects the family’s or individual’s financial circumstances. Maine Maritime Academy treats all such information as confidential.

In general, you are eligible for undergraduate financial aid at Maine Maritime Academy if you:

  1. Are a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
  2. Are making satisfactory academic progress as defined in the catalog
  3. Are not in default on a prior loan or do not owe a refund on a grant or scholarship

Some Federal, State, and institutional aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. “Need” is defined as the difference between your costs (tuition, fees, meals, housing, books, supplies, and personal expenses) and the Student Aid Index (SAI) established by Congress and regulated by the Department of Education (COST – SAI = NEED). To determine your SAI, students seeking financial assistance should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov as soon as possible after October 1 each year. Parent and student tax returns and a verification worksheet may be required. Call (207) 326-2339, email, or stop by the Financial Aid Office in Quick Hall with any questions regarding the financial aid process.

Sources of Aid

Private Scholarships

Private organizations offer financial assistance to thousands of qualified individuals each year. High schools, community organizations, professional associations, businesses, and industries frequently offer scholarships to students. Some are based on need or scholastic achievement, but many are not. High school guidance counselors and public libraries have lists of organizations offering these scholarships, and there are several free scholarship search sites on the Internet.

State Scholarships

Most states administer scholarship programs. Check with your guidance counselor to find out how to apply for these funds. State administered awards are generally designed to help full-time, undergraduate students working toward their first degree, and who have financial need. In many state programs, only the FAFSA is required.

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are awarded by the college to undergraduate students who demonstrate extraordinary financial need. The award is issued first-come, first-serve based on need. Funds are limited.

Students with demonstrated financial need who are awarded Federal College Work-Study funds may work up to 20 hours each week, on campus or in community service, during the academic year. Specific work schedules are arranged around class time. Work-Study awards generally range from $500 to $1,500 per year. Students will be paid at least minimum wage. Pay range is determined by the student’s supervisor.

Students may become eligible for the Federal Pell Grant by completing the FAFSA each year until the completion of the bachelor’s degree. Award amounts vary each year and are determined by the Department of Education.

Stafford Loans (subsidized) are available to students with verified need enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Loan funds are disbursed in two payments. A student with demonstrated need who is enrolled on at least a half-time basis is eligible for the following Stafford Loan amounts: $3,500 in the first academic year of an undergraduate program; $4,500 in the second year; and $5,500 per academic year thereafter until successful completion of an undergraduate degree. The lifetime maximum Stafford Loan amount is $23,000 for undergraduates; graduate students demonstrating financial need may borrow up to a maximum amount of $138,000, including loans received at the undergraduate level. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, which may require interest payments while the student is in college, are available in the same amounts for students who do not qualify for the Stafford loan (determined by the FAFSA). Graduate students are eligible for $20,500 in unsubsidized Stafford funds per year. Undergraduate students are eligible for $2000 in unsubsidized Stafford funds per year.

A variety of parent and other alternative loans are available. Contact the Financial Aid Office for specific recommendations.

Veteran’s Tuition Benefits at MMA

Veterans

Maine Maritime Academy will charge in-state tuition rates to all current and former members of the US Armed Forces who were honorably discharged, regardless of whether they are receiving benefits and without regard to their date of discharge.

Veterans’ Dependents

Effective July 1, 2017, an individual who is a “covered individual” as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 3679(c)* will be assessed in-state tuition rates at Maine Maritime Academy.  Further, once the in-state tuition rate is applied to the eligible individual, it shall remain in effect until the individual completes their academic program, even after GI Bill® benefits have been exhausted, transferred, or are otherwise expired.

A “covered individual” is defined as:

  • A veteran who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • A spouse or child using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within 3 years of the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • Any student as described above will continue with the benefit while they remain continuously enrolled at MMA (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms). The person must have enrolled at MMA prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 31 or chapter 33 of title 38, U.S.C.
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Maine while attending MMA (regardless of their formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
  • A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence).

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Please contact the Business Office at 207-326-2236 or casey.littlefield@mma.edu for information regarding necessary documentation to confirm your status as a “covered individual”, a veteran, or an active duty service member, to apply for Yellow Ribbon Program benefits, or if there are additional questions.

Yellow Ribbon Program Participation

MMA has 12 scholarships for non-Maine resident students who have had 100% of benefits transferred to them from a spouse or parent veteran that has been discharged for more than 3 years prior to the first date of the dependent’s enrollment at MMA. These are offered on a first come, first served basis and provide an additional scholarship equivalent to the difference between the in-state tuition rate and the spouse’s or dependent’s out-of-state or regional tuition rate after the Yellow Ribbon Program payment has been received by MMA for that student. http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp

Tuition Waivers

Veteran’s Dependent Waiver

Per Maine law, tuition, mandatory fees and lab fees will be waived for eligible orphans, widows & widowers of veterans as well as spouses and children of veterans who are disabled, missing in action,  (most often referred to as Chapter 35 benefits eligibility). Initial eligibility is determined by the Veterans Affairs Office of the State of Maine. Students must be enrolled in an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree program. The tuition waiver may be reduced by an amount necessary to ensure that the value of this waiver, combined with all other grants and benefits received by the student, does not exceed the total cost of education. See MRSA, Title 37-B, Section 505, as amended 2008, P.L. c.521 for details.

Maine Foster Care Tuition Waiver Program

Maine Maritime Academy participates with FAME in a tuition waiver program for foster and adopted children/wards who meet eligibility criteria and are receiving subsidies from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The waiver covers cost of tuition during fall and spring semesters and is renewable for up to five years of full-time enrollment, contingent on continuing good academic standing. Students are required to provide proof of acceptance/enrollment at an eligible Maine school to file the FAFSA each year. The application opens annually in March and is available online as a PDF document which must be printed, completed, signed, and mailed to the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). The program follows Maine law, detailed in 20-A M.R.S.A. §12571 et seq. and Chapter 608 of the Rules of the Finance Authority of Maine. Eligible students are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Renewal applications are mailed annually to current recipients by the end of March. For more information and specifics, please visit The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).

Veterans Educational Assistance

Maine Maritime Academy programs are approved for the enrollment of military personnel, veterans, and their eligible dependents under the various educational assistance programs (GI Bills). Programs are approved by the State Approving Agency for Veterans Education Programs. Students who plan to receive veterans’ education benefits must contact MMA’s VA Benefits Coordinator in the Registrar’s Office.

Institutional Scholarship, Grant, and Loan Programs

Limited institutional scholarships, grants, and loan programs are available through the generosity of friends and alumni of Maine Maritime Academy, each with criteria developed by donors and awarded annually to students with financial need; academic progress also may be taken into consideration. In order to be considered for such funds, a student must submit a FAFSA by February 1 and submit the MMA Scholarship Application Form by February 1. Recipients will be expected to write thank you notes to the donors.

Monthly Payment Program

The Academy has an agreement with Nelnet Campus Commerce which offers a monthly payment plan. Nelnet Campus Commerce offers a 10-month plan with equal payments due July 1 – April 1. This plan can be used to cover all MMA costs or to supplement final costs after financial aid. Nelnet Campus Commerce offers a 10-month plan in coordination with loans as well for those who want to lower their monthly payments. Contact the Business Office at (207-326-2243) for details. The Nelnet Campus Commerce website is mycollegepaymentplan.com for those who would like to sign up online.

NROTC College and Scholarship Programs

The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program is divided into two major categories of students, those who are on Navy scholarship (Scholarship Program) and those who are not (College Program). Four-year Navy or Marine Corps ROTC scholarships are awarded to prospective first-year college students annually by the Naval Service Training Command on a competitive basis nationwide. These scholarships provide full tuition, fees, a $375 book allowance, uniforms, and a $250-$400 subsistence allowance per month depending on the year of the student. Four-year NROTC national scholarship awardees who attend Maine Maritime Academy receive either free room and board while living in Curtis Hall or a $1,000 stipend per semester if living off campus.

NROTC students who are not on scholarship are enrolled in the NROTC College Program. College Program students receive uniforms and books for Naval Science courses for the entire time they are enrolled, and a subsistence allowance of $350 per month during the junior year and $400 per month during the senior year if selected for Advanced Standing. College Program students may compete for scholarships during their first three years at college. If selected for scholarship, College Program students will receive the same benefits as four-year national scholarship recipients, but not the room and board gratuity from MMA. The length of these scholarships (3 or 2 years) is dependent on when the student is selected for the scholarship. College Program students incur no obligation to the Navy until they begin their junior year or are awarded and accept a scholarship.

NROTC graduates are eligible for active duty commissions in the Navy or Marine Corps. Please refer to the section on Naval Service Commissioning Programs in this catalog for more information. Accepting a NROTC scholarship after accepting standard financial aid may result in an adjustment of financial aid funds.

Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program/US Navy Reserve Program

All physically qualified Maine Maritime Academy students enrolled in the US Coast Guard unlimited license program, and who are between the ages of 17 and 27, are eligible to compete for this reserve program. Age waivers are available. The Maritime Administration provides a Student Incentive Payment (SIP) for students who are between the ages of 17 and 25 with the following parameters:

If enrolled as a freshman: $2,000 per semester for freshman and sophomore years, $6,000 per semester for junior and senior years.
If enrolled as a sophomore: $4,000 per semester for sophomore year, and $6,000 per semester for junior and senior years.
If enrolled as a junior: $8,000 per semester for junior and senior years.

Midshipmen status requires acceptance of US Navy Reserve enlisted status while participating in the SSMP. Midshipmen who accept SIP are obligated to apply for and accept, if offered, a commission in the US Navy Reserve.

Please see the section on Naval Service Commissioning Programs in this catalog for more information.

These funds are considered a resource and are expected to be used for educational funding. Financial aid awards may need to be revised after a student accepts the SSMP agreement.

Regular Student Wage and Off-Campus Employment Programs

Students who do not receive funds under the Federal College Work-Study program may seek employment on campus up to 20 hours each week during the academic year. On campus employment for regular student wages is limited. A website is available where jobs are posted on a regular basis. (http://studentjobs.mma.edu/)