The financial requirements of the University, changing costs, state and legislative action, and other matters may require adjustment of charges and expenses. The University reserves the right, up to the date of final registration for a given academic term, to make such adjustments as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees. The student acknowledges this reservation by submitting an application for admission or registration. Any student who fails to pay tuition and fees when due by the above described methods, or who fails to receive prior consent from the Student Accounts Office to delay payment, is subject to administrative dismissal for the current semester and suspension from UMF for the following semester. Transcripts and future registrations are prohibited until the student’s account is current. Unpaid accounts are forwarded to outside agencies for collections. Collections costs may be added to the balance due.
Course Load
Typical graduate students take anywhere from 3-10 credits per term. To qualify for benefits such as financial aid, Veteran’s Benefits, and Native American Waivers, there are additional enrollment criteria outlined below. For financial aid purposes, eligibility rules and levels of aid vary for different types of financial aid, and thus students must always consult with the Financial Aid Office in the Merrill Center regarding any questions concerning impact of course load on scholarships, grants, loans, loan repayment, loan deferment, student employment and other aid-related matters.
Financial Aid
Limited financial aid is available to students matriculated into the Master of Science in Education programs. Students may apply for Federal Direct Student Loans or loans through qualified private sources. Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be made to receive a Federal Direct Loan. For more information, contact the UMF Financial Aid Office through the UMF Merrill Center: 207-778-7100. All application materials submitted to the Financial Aid Office are handled confidentially.
Qualifications for Financial Aid
A student must be matriculated into a M.S.Ed. degree program; enrolled in at least 3-credits per term; and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to qualify for Financial Aid. Non-degree and Certificate students are not eligible for financial aid.
Withdrawing and Financial Aid
A student who is receiving financial aid and who withdraws from UMF before the end of a semester may be required to return all or part of the financial aid funds received for that semester.
Veteran’s Benefits
Veterans’ benefits are available at UMF based on the approval of the University’s programs by the Maine State Approving Agency for Veterans Education for the education and training of veterans, service persons, and dependents of disabled and deceased veterans. Students should contact the nearest VA regional office for information concerning eligibility, counseling, and benefits. Once admitted, new students should advise the Merrill Center that they wish to be certified for VA benefits. They must be matriculated into a degree program, and enrolled in at least three-credits each semester for full-time benefits. It is the responsibility of the student and the University to notify the VA of any change in status which affects the student’s benefit amount.
Native American Aid Programs
Native American Tuition Waivers covering tuition and mandatory fees are available for members of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Houlton Band of Maliseet and Aroostook Band of Micmac tribes, as well as other federally, state or provincially recognized Native American Tribes who have resided in Maine for at least one year prior to application for purposes other than education. More detailed guidelines for these waivers are available at the Financial Aid Office.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress is used to define successful completion of coursework to maintain eligibility for student financial aid. Federal regulations require the University to establish, publish and apply standards to monitor progress towards degree completion. Students must meet these minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements in order to be eligible for student aid funds. If you are not meeting the minimum standards, even if you are allowed by the Office of Graduate Studies to continue your enrollment, you will have to do so without the benefit of financial aid. Each of the three following standards must be met:
- Maximum Time Frame:
Federal regulations require that the University set a maximum time frame for successful completion of degree programs for financial aid eligibility, which aligns with the University’s completion timeframe.
- Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership: All work for the degree must be completed within six years of matriculation. For the M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership degree the University has set the maximum number of attempted credits at 51.
- Master of Science in Early Childhood Education: All work for the degree must be completed within five years of matriculation. For the M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood degree the University has set the maximum number of attempted credits at 54.
- Master of Science in Education in Special Education: All work for the degree must be completed within five years of matriculation. For the M.S.Ed. in Special Education degree the University has set the maximum number of attempted credits at 51.
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: All work for the degree must be completed within six years of matriculation. For the M.A. in Counseling Psychology degree the University has set the maximum number of attempted credits at 96.
- Qualitative Standard - Cumulative Grade Point Average:
As a matriculated graduate student you must maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average.
- Quantitative Standard - Successful Completion of Credit Hours Attempted:
Matriculated students are required to successfully complete a specific percentage of credits that are attempted. The University uses the following scales:
| Attempted Credit Hours |
Percentage Earned |
| 1-11 |
50% |
| 12 and above |
75% |
How are students notified of progress?
Progress is measured at the end of each term, including summer. If the student is not making satisfactory academic progress, s/he will receive communication from UMF Financial Aid Office regarding the loss of eligibility for further financial aid.
What if there are special circumstances?
Every student has a right to appeal if s/he believes that there are special circumstances. Please see the section on Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension.
Definitions
Attempted Hours
For the purpose of this policy attempted hours include: audited classes; classes withdrawn from; deferred grades; incomplete grades; missing grades; repeated courses. Letter grades of “A” through “D” shall be considered completed. All other grades including F, L, W, AU, I, DG, and MG, will not be considered as credits completed.
Repeated Coursework
If a course is repeated once, the second grade only is figured into the GPA. In the event that a course is repeated more than once, the second and all subsequent grades are counted.
Passed Hours
For the purpose of this policy passed hours include: Passed credit hours that can be used for the purpose of completing degree requirements.
Transfer Students
If a student earned credits at a previous institution(s) that will be accepted toward his/her degree, those accepted hours will be included as attempted hours for the purposes of satisfactory progress evaluation. For example if a student attempted 6 hours at the University of Maine at Farmington and transferred in 9 credits to his/her academic record, all tests to evaluate satisfactory academic progress (Quantitative, Qualitative and Maximum Time Frame) would be based on 15 attempted hours.
Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension
A student placed on Financial Aid Suspension who has experienced undue hardship, (e.g., death of a relative of the student; personal injury or prolonged illness of the student; or special circumstances as determined by the institution.), may submit a written appeal, by August 1 for fall aid and December 1 for spring aid, to the Director of Financial Aid. The appeal must explain the circumstances that prevented the standards from being met. It is suggested that a student provide third party documentation, if available, to support an appeal of a financial aid suspension. Upon successful appeal, the student may be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one period, and will be able to receive financial aid during that time. If at the end of the probationary period the minimum standards are not met, or the student has failed to meet the requirements of the academic plan developed as part of the probation period, the student’s financial aid eligibility will be suspended. All appeals will be reviewed by the Financial Aid SAP Appeals Committee. The student will receive written notification of the committee’s decision within 30 days of receipt of the appeal.
Condition of Financial Aid Reinstatement
Students must complete the required number of credits and achieve the corresponding cumulative GPA as outlined during the probationary period in order to have their financial aid eligibility reinstated or meet the requirements of the academic plan devised by the SAP Appeals Committee.
Withdrawal from a Course
Academic Result
A student may withdraw from a course before 60% of the course has elapsed without experiencing an impact on his/her grade point average. A W will remain on the permanent transcript, but this grade will not figure into the GPA calculation. The 60% calculation is determined from the first day the course is scheduled to begin, and calendar days (not class days) form the basis of this calculation.
To withdraw from a course, a student must complete an official Withdrawal Form, which is available from Merrill Center. If a student has not officially withdrawn before 60% of the course is completed, the student will be assigned a regular grade by the instructor, based upon completed work and standards articulated in the course syllabus. The W notation may be assigned after 60% of the course has been completed under extenuating circumstances when agreed upon by the instructor and the Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Rehabilitation.
See below for information about financial adjustments for dropping from a course and withdrawing from the University.
Class Add/Financial Adjustment for Dropping of Class(es)
Adding classes at any time may result in additional charges to the student’s account. For purposes of calculating financial adjustments, attendance includes weekends and holidays, and ends on the student’s last day of attendance as determined when (s)he notifies the institution’s designated official or office, that (s)he is dropping or withdrawing from a class(es) while remaining enrolled in other class(es). Dropping or withdrawing from classes will result in an adjustment in accordance with the following schedule:
- Classes 12 weeks or more in length: 100% prior to the end of the second week (14 days)
- Classes 11 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the eleventh day (11 days)
- Classes 10 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the tenth day (10 days)
- Classes 9 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the ninth day (9 days)
- Classes 8 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the eighth day (8 days)
- Classes 7 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the seventh day (7 days)
- Classes 6 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the sixth day (6 days)
- Classes 5 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the fifth day (5 days)
- Classes 4 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the fourth day (4 days)
- Classes 3 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the third day (3 days)
- Classes 2 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the second day (2 days)
- Classes 1 week or less in length: 100% prior to the end of the first day (1 day)
Student University Withdrawal (from all university system courses):
Determination of Attendance
For purposes of calculating financial adjustments, attendance includes weekends and holidays, and ends on the student’s last day of attendance as determined when (s)he notifies the institution’s designated official or office that (s)he is withdrawing from all university system classes. Students who cease attendance without notifying the University within thirty (30) days of their last date of attendance will not be entitled to any adjustment of charges without approval of a written appeal. The designated university official will make a decision regarding the appeal based on the documentation and/or conditions presented.
Tuition and Mandatory Fees University Withdrawal Adjustment Schedules
- Classes 12 weeks or more:
- 100% prior to the end of the second week (14 days)
- 75% prior to the end of the fourth week (28 days)
- 50% prior to the end of the sixth week (42 days)
- 25% prior to the end of the eighth week (56 days)
- 0% after the eighth week (57 days and after)
- Classes 11 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the eleventh day (11 days)
- Classes 10 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the tenth day (10 days)
- Classes 9 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the ninth day (9 days)
- Classes 8 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the eighth day (8 days)
- Classes 7 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the seventh day (7 days)
- Classes 6 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the sixth day (6 days)
- Classes 5 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the fifth day (5 days)
- Classes 4 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the fourth day (4 days)
- Classes 3 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the third day (3 days)
- Classes 2 weeks in length: 100% prior to the end of the second day (2 days)
- Classes 1 week or less in length: 100% prior to the end of the first day (1 day)
Note: Flat rate tuition and fees may result in different or no adjustments.
Withdrawal from Graduate Programs
Student Withdrawal. To withdraw from the University, the student must complete the official form obtained from Merrill Center. If a student does not complete the form, but does not register for two consecutive semesters, this will constitute program withdrawal. If a student voluntarily withdraws from the program s/he must re-apply.
Students may appeal academic and administrative decisions by following the Appeals Process section of this catalog.
M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership
A student who finds it necessary to withdraw from a course that is part of the core program must meet with the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education to plan an appropriate, alternative course of study to maintain as much of the sequencing and essence of a cohort as possible.
M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood
Due to the program course rotation cycle, withdrawal from a course could extend the graduation date. In the event that a student must withdraw from a course, contact with the advisor is necessary.
M.S.Ed. in Special Education
Due to the program course rotation cycle, withdrawal from a course could extend the graduation date. In the event that a student must withdraw from a course, contact with the advisor is necessary.
M.A. in Counseling Psychology
Due to the program course rotation cycle, withdrawal from a course could extend the graduation date. In the event that a student must withdraw from a course, contact with the advisor is necessary.
Certificate Program
A student is expected to make consistent progress towards the certificate and maintain regular communication with his/her academic advisor. If a student does not enroll in a course for two consecutive terms when an appropriate course is offered, a space in the program will not be maintained, and the student will be withdrawn from the certificate program. The student may request re-activation by completing the Intent to Participate form.
Dismissal from an Master’s Degree Program
- Academic Dismissal. If a student has not made satisfactory academic progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, the student may be dismissed from the University.
- Administrative Dismissal. A student may be dismissed from the program for reasons of a professional nature as determined by the Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education in consultation with the Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Rehabilitation or College of Arts and Sciences.
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