The University of Maine System encourages the full participation of all of its members in its educational mission by offering tuition waivers for eligible employees and their dependents. Employees should consult the appropriate collective bargaining agreement or the employee handbook (non-represented employees) for more information on tuition waiver benefits. Visit the IRS website for information on how waivers may be taxed.
Generally, eligible full-time employees are allowed a maximum of two tuition-free courses per semester or summer session, not to exceed a total of eight credit hours. Eligible part-time employees are allowed a maximum of one tuition-free course per semester or summer session, not to exceed a total of four credit hours. A more detailed explanation can be found below. Your eligibility for the tuition waiver benefit starts in the semester of your hire.
| Active Employee Tuition Waivers | |
|---|---|
| Collective Bargaining Unit: | Tuition Waiver Benefit: |
| AFUM (Emeritus Status Retired Members) | Up to 8 credit hours waived |
FULL TIME: UMPSA, ASCUM Waived Fees: online instruction, student health, student activity, and unified fee | Up to 8 credit hours waived |
| PART TIME: UMPSA & ASCUM | Up to 4 credit hours waived |
FULL TIME: Service and Maintenance | Up to 8 credit hours waived |
| PART TIME: Service and Maintenance | Up to 4 credit hours waived |
| TEMPORARY: PATFA | Accrue 1 tuition waiver per semester taught (only fall and spring). May use waiver towards 4 credit hours waived. Must be used within 12 months. |
| REGULAR: PATFA | Up to 4 credit hours waived |
The spouse, domestic partner, or dependent children of eligible full-time employees are eligible for a 50% tuition waiver provided the spouse, domestic partner, or dependent children are attending the University of Maine System as a full-time or part-time matriculated student. The spouse, domestic partner, or dependent children of eligible part-time employees are eligible for a 25% tuition waiver provided the spouse, domestic partner, or dependent children are attending the University of Maine System as a full-time or part-time matriculated student. A more detailed explanation can be found below.
| Dependent Tuition Waivers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collective Bargaining Unit: | Eligible Dependents | Prerequisites | Full-time Undergraduate | Part-time Undergraduate | Full-time Graduate | Part-time Graduate |
AFUM/Non-Represented Faculty Non-matriculated dependents may take summer or winter term courses with a 55% tuition waiver (Effective Fall23: 60%) | Children, Spouses, and Domestic Partners | Student must be full-time undergrad or part-time matriculated. Graduate matriculated. | Eligible for a 55% waiver Effective Fall23: 60% | Eligible for a 55% waiver Effective Fall23: 60% | Eligible for a 55% waiver Effective Fall23: 60% | Eligible for a 55% waiver Effective Fall23: 60% |
| FULL TIME: UMPSA, ACSUM, Service and Maintenance, Police, and Non-Represented | Children, Spouses, and Domestic Partners | Student must be matriculated full or part-time | Eligible for a 50% waiver | Eligible for a 50% waiver | Eligible for a 50% waiver | Eligible for a 50% waiver |
| PART TIME: UMPSA, ACSUM, Service and Maintenance, Police, and Non-Represented | Children, Spouses, and Domestic Partners | Student must be matriculated full or part-time | Eligible for a 25% waiver | Eligible for a 25% waiver | Eligible for a 25% waiver | Eligible for a 25% waiver |
| PATFA | Children, Spouses, and Domestic Partners | Student must be full-time, with no waiver for the summer sessions | Eligible for a 50% waiver | Not applicable | Eligible for a 50% waiver | Not applicable |
Dependents of employees called to active military service are eligible for the dependent tuition waiver.
Dependents of COLT unit retirees with 20 or more years of service are eligible for the dependent tuition waiver.
AFTER enrolled in the course(s), send a completed Waiver Form for each separate semester/term to the Employee Benefits Center for processing:
- Fax: 561-3454
- Email: benefits@maine.edu
- Mail: 65 Texas Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401
Waivers will be processed after the billing charges have been generated. Please allow 10 business days for processing AFTER the billing charges have been generated. Employees will be notified via email once the waiver has been applied to the student's account.
Taxable Waivers:
- Dependent Waiver: Domestic Partner Waivers - Undergraduate and Graduate
- Dependent Waiver: Graduate level courses
- Employee Waiver: Graduate level courses exceeding $5,250 annually
