USM gets anonymous $1M gift for 'life-changing' scholarship programs

University of Southern Maine campus seen from above

File photo The University of Southern Maine, whose Portland campus is shown here, is part of the University of Maine System.

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By Renee Cordes

The University of Southern Maine Foundation said it has received $1 million from anonymous donors to support two scholarship programs offering "life-changing opportunities to underserved students at USM."

The gift includes $750,000 for the school's Promise Scholarship Program, which provides financial aid for limited-income, first-generation Maine students; and $250,00 for USM's Access to Education Fund, which supports those applying for citizenship, so-called Dreamers and others navigating the backlogged immigration process.

Over the next five years, the gifts will ensure that vital programs for first-generation Maine students will be stronger than ever at USM, the USM Foundation said in a news release Thursday. The nonprofit foundation works with USM to support the goals of students and the school.

The Promise Scholarship currently provides recipients with a multiyear “top-off” scholarship to cover 100% of USM tuition and fees. The average scholarship amount for the current academic year was $3,600 per student, the release said.

The $750,000 gift will provide five years of funding for additional programming and support services, as well as expanded scholarship aid for on-campus room and board expenses.

"This tremendous gift makes the on-campus living experience possible for those students who will benefit most," said Daniel Barton, coordinator of the Promise program.

Similarly over the next five years, the $250,000 allocated to the Access to Education Fund will help 12 to 15 USM students cover the costs of college each year, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each.

"Often, Access recipients are in the process of applying for citizenship or otherwise navigating the backlogged immigration system,” said USM’s interim vice president for enrollment management and marketing, Nancy Griffin. “From the beginning, the need for this scholarship has perpetually exceeded the fund’s capacity — and we are deeply grateful for this urgently needed funding.”

In 2021, Hannaford Supermarkets granted USM $100,000 to replenish the Access to Education Fund, helping to sustain the program.

The USM Foundation said the latest gift will allow the school to continue meeting growing needs over the next five years, according to Thursday's announcement.