Financial Aid in Maine (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, Maine's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
Maine FAFSA deadline for state aid
May 1, 2026.
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
Maine grant programs
Maine State Grant
Need-based grant for Maine residents attending eligible schools in-state or in select cases elsewhere.
Administered by Finance Authority of Maine. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for Maine students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches Mainestudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in Maine?
For 2026–27 state aid: May 1, 2026. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does Maine offer?
Maine State Grant: Need-based grant for Maine residents attending eligible schools in-state or in select cases elsewhere. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a Maine resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in Maine?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how Finance Authority of Maine determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.