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Maine is a state brimming with excellent and very affordable degree choices for you. Many of the institutions offer in-state tuition at, or below, the national average of $282 per credit hour for online degree programs.
In addition, qualifying students can offset the cost of tuition with scholarships, loans, and grants.
Keep reading to learn about some of the degree programs that Maine's colleges and universities make available at affordable rates.
List of Free and Low-Cost Colleges with Online Degree Programs
1. University of Maine
The University of Maine's online programs for undergraduates includes five 100%-online degrees: Bachelor of University Studies (BUS), BA in Economics, BA in Political Science, BS in Business Administration in Management, and a BS in Surveying Engineering Technology.
The tuition rates for undergraduate degree-seekers are $388 per credit hour for Maine and Canadian residents and for veterans, while out-of-state students pay $485 per credit hour.
2. The University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta provides online bachelor's degree programs in:
- Applied Science
- Business Administration: Accounting (Concentrations: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, and Governmental Accounting)
- Business Administration: Management (Concentrations: Executive Management, Computer Information Systems, Financial Services, Public Administration, and Small Business)
- Computer Information Systems (Concentrations: Software Development, Web Development, Database, Networking, Information Systems Security)
- Cybersecurity (Focus areas: Information Assurance, Network Security Analyst, and Cyber Forensics)
- Data Science (Concentrations: Business Analytics, Social Science)
- Information & Library Science
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Justice Studies (Concentrations: Criminal Justice, Pre-Law)
- Liberal Studies
- Mental Health & Human Services (Concentrations: Addiction Counseling, Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation, and Child & Family Services)
- Music: Contemporary and Popular
- RN-BSN Completion
- Public Administration
- Social Science (Concentrations: Communication, Psychology, Sociology)
Tuition is $245 per credit hour for Maine residents, while the regular $625 per credit hour for out-of-state students has been reduced to only $319 for online students.
3. University of Maine at Machias
The University of Maine at Machias also has online bachelor's degree offerings.
These include a BS in Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, a Bachelor of College Studies, a BS in Education with concentrations in Special Education or Inclusive Early Childhood, a BS in Environmental Geographic Information Science, and a BA in Psychology and Community Studies.
Tuition is the same as for the main UM campus, above.
4. University of Maine at Fort Kent
The University of Maine at Fort Kent has distance education programs that include a Bachelor of Arts and Science Allied Health degree, a business management degree completion program, an RN-to-BSN nursing degree, and a self-designed Bachelor of Arts and Science degree.
The UMFK tuition is only $245 per credit hour for Maine or Canadian residents and $404 per credit for out-of-state or international students. The RN-to-BSN program's tuition is $300 per credit hour.
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Among private schools, Saint Joseph's College of Maine's online programs enable students to earn the following degrees through distance learning:
- BSBA in Business Administration plus a concentration in Banking
- BS in Health Administration
- BS in Health Information Management
- BS in Long-Term Care Administration
- BS in Radiologic Science Administration
- BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- BS in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- BSW in Social Work
- BA in Theological Studies
Tuition for an online degree at Saint Joseph's is only $378 per credit hour, which is dramatically lower than the on-campus tuition rate.
6. Husson University
Husson University's online program provides students with an unusual choice of Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees.
These include business administration, accounting, animal-assisted therapy, animal care and behavior, business and professional studies, criminal justice, financial planning, healthcare administration and public health, marketing, and psychology.
Husson offers its online courses at $398 per credit hour.
How Can I Get an Online College Degree for Free in Maine?
Federal Student Aid
FAFSA
To qualify for financial aid, you or your family must submit the federal 'Free Application for Federal Student Aid' (FAFSA) form, which determines your eligibility for federal financial aid as well as for many scholarship and grant programs.
Go to the Federal Student Aid website to learn more.
Pell Grant
Undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need may qualify for a Pell Grant. Your FAFSA application will determine your eligibility. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Scholarships in Maine
The University of Maine System also makes the following scholarships available to qualifying Maine students:
- Adult Degree Completion Scholarship
- Oldfield 4-H Scholarship
- Osher New Beginnings Scholarships
- Opening Doors Scholarship
- Hannaford Teacher Renewal Scholarship
For scholarships at both public and private universities and colleges, be sure to work with the Financial Aid Office at each school to learn what opportunities you are eligible for. Many universities have institutional scholarships and grants in addition to federal, state, and private ones.
How Can I Cover Additional Online Degree Costs in Maine?
The Finance Authority of Maine is a great resource for finding ways to reduce your college expenses, as well as each school's website page on financial aid, such as UMA's Tuition Waivers page.
Tuition waivers provide free tuition to students with certain characteristics. The Foster Care tuition waiver is for students who have been foster children or adopted through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The Public Servant tuition waiver program applies to children or spouses of Maine law enforcement officers, firefighters, or EMS providers who were killed in the line of duty.
The Native American waiver is available for members of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Tribes as well as some others of Native American descent.
Other waivers include:
- Senior Citizen Waiver
- Trustee Waivers
- USS Maine Commemorative Tuition Waiver Program
- High School Aspirations Incentive Program
- Veteran's Dependent Waiver
- National Guard Education Assistance Pilot Program
- University System Employee Tuition Benefit
- University System Employee Dependent Tuition Waiver
- New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE)
- Canadian Student Waiver
Also, check with your employer to find out if it offers any Tuition Assistance Programs. The Finance Authority site lists many corporations, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Lowe's, Target, and others that provide up to 100% tuition to employees.
FAQs Regarding Free Online College Degrees in Maine
Does FAFSA Cover Online College in Maine?
Yes, completing a FAFSA form is an essential first step to find out your eligibility for almost any form of financial aid in Maine.
Does Maine Have Free Tuition?
While Maine colleges do not offer free tuition per se, the generous number of tuition waivers (see above) relieve a large number of students each year of their tuition burden.
Do People with Certain Medical Conditions Qualify for Free Online College Tuition in Maine?
Yes, many scholarships nationwide exist for student with particular health or medical conditions as well as those with physical and learning disabilities.
Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree Online in Montana Today
If you're ready to find the best online bachelor's degree program to fit your needs and interests, be sure to reach out to us at Best Affordable Colleges as a resource. We can help you find the right degree program as well as the best scholarship options.
