Maine Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits Program

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

Maine Veterans Services

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards offered varies annually. Last year, 300 scholarships were awarded.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for U.S. students.
  2. Must be a resident of Maine.
  3. Must be the child, stepchild, spouse, widow or widower of a veteran who: died as the result of service in the Armed Forces of the United States either during or after service; became permanently and totally disabled as a result of service or who may have died of a service-connected disability; or while on active duty had been listed for more than 90 days as MIA, captured or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
  4. Must attend a Maine-supported institution for higher learning. The college systems that are covered under this program are all of the branches of the University of Maine System, the Maine Vocational Technical Colleges, and Maine Maritime Academy at Castine.
  5. A child dependent must be 16 years of age or older and a high school graduate. The child dependent must not be over 25 years of age, and must have been enrolled in a degree program prior to turning the age of 22. NOTE: The exception to this age limit is if the child is between the ages of 22 and 25 and has been unable to enroll in a degree program before the age of 22 due to service in the U.S. Armed Forces. In that case, the child of the veteran may apply for this benefit until he/she reaches age 26. There are no age limits for spouses of veterans.
  6. Must be a U.S. citizen.
  7. Must have a parent, step-parent, or spouse who was/is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
  8. Must have already graduated from high school. Funds may be used for all levels of undergraduate and graduate study.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: This award is offered to current undergraduate and graduate students who are Maine residents and attending state-supported schools. Students must be the child, stepchild, spouse, widow or widower of a military veteran who is/has been deceased, disabled, MIA, or a POW while serving in the line of duty, and must be 16-25 years old with certain exceptions (there is no age requirement for spouses).

Application requirements for the Maine Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits Program are:

  • Application form
  • Proof of eligibility
Additional Information: The Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits Program is administered by the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services under the provisions of MRSA 37-B, Chapter 7, Section 505(2). Benefits under this program include waiver of tuition and related fees for qualified dependents of certain disabled or deceased veterans. Schools covered under this program include the University of Maine System, Maine Community Colleges and Maine Maritime Academy.

Award Amount: The award is a tuition waiver, which also covers mandatory fees and lab fees. The award is for a period not to exceed eight semesters of attendance, which must be used within six academic years (except in the case of a severe medical disability or illness) from the date of first entrance. *Please note: Room and board are not covered under this program.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $58,912.

About Maine Veterans Services:
Contact Information: Paula Gagnon, -
Address: 117 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0117
Email: mvs@me.ngb.army.mil , mvs@me.ngb.army.mil

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