Graduate Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office is committed to assisting students in finding the financial means necessary to achieve their educational goals.
The following sections provide a brief overview of the programs and procedures. Students looking for more complete information should visit the Financial Aid Web Site.
Types of Financial Aid: Grant/Scholarship Programs
University - and federally-funded programs with varying amounts depending upon a student's eligibility. Some specific programs are noted below:
Agnes M. Lindsay Trust Northern New England Physician Assistant Sponsorship Program - This is a donor-sponsored competitive scholarship designed to encourage physician assistant students to practice primary health care in rural areas of northern New England. Applicants must come from rural communities (defined as 20,000 people or less) in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, have a strong commitment to primary care practice, and have intentions to return to a rural community in one of those states. Applications are sent to all first-year physician assistant students during the fall semester. Recipients are chosen in late fall and awards are made in the spring term. The maximum award per student is $3,000 per academic year.
Agnes M. Lindsay Trust P.A. Scholarship - MSPA students from rural Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts (population of 5,000 or less) may apply for this scholarship. Applications are sent to all MSPA students late in the fall semester. Awards will be made in the spring term. Award amounts vary depending on availability of funds.
Professional Nurse Traineeship Grants - These federal grants are awarded to all first-year nurse anesthesia students, regardless of financial need.
Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship Grants - These federal grants are awarded to second-year nurse anesthesia students with the University of New England clinical affiliation, regardless of financial need.
Master of Social Work Scholarships - These scholarships are awarded to new and returning students in the Master of Social Work Program. The School of Social Work determines award selection criteria and award amounts. Interested students should contact the School of Social Work for more information.
Federal Student Loan Programs
Student loan programs are in the form of long-term, low-interest loans that require a student to begin repayment no earlier than six months after they leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment (unless otherwise noted). Depending upon the total amount borrowed, students may have up to 10 years to repay the loan. Loans are available to eligible students enrolled at least half-time through Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, and the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
Alternative Loan Programs
Privately-funded alternative loan programs are available to graduate students who have a satisfactory credit history. Alternative loans should be used only after all other types of financial assistance have been explored, as they generally are more expensive than other types of student loans. The Financial Aid Office maintains a listing of recommended alternative loan programs; this list is mailed to students with their Financial Aid Award Letter.