Determining Tutition Waiver Eligibility

The Wabanaki Center has the responsibility for coordinating the Native American Scholarship Program for all University of Maine campuses. Before consideration for this program, interested applicants must first be:

• Accepted for enrollment at one of the University of Maine campuses.
• Must prove eligibility as outlined in the following Eligibility Requirements.

Members of Maine Tribes:

You are considered a Maine tribal member if your name is included on the current tribal census of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseets, or the Arooostook Band of Micmacs.  Required documentation:

• An original document certifying membership from the tribal enrollment offices,
• Or an original tribal verification faxed directly from the tribal enrollment offices to the Wabanaki Center.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain clear documentation that proves membership in a Maine tribe.

Members of Other North American Indian Tribes:

To be considered a tribal member of another tribe, for the purposes of this program, your name must be included on a tribal census, or you must be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.  If you belong to a Canadian tribe, you must provide an original document showing your band number.

An original letter or certificate from the tribal official who certifies membership, or a certificate of degree of Indian blood issued by the United States or Canadian government is required.

Additionally, documentation of Maine state residency for the past twelve months immediately prior to application must be provided.  Forms of documentation include rental receipts or proof of home ownership, utility bills, drivers license, etc.  Your documents will be photocopied and the originals returned to you.

Descendants of a Tribal Member:

It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain clear documentation that proves decendancy from a member of a North American Indian Tribe.  Proof can be provided in the following manner:

• An original document from a federally recognized tribal office stating that a parent or grandparent is an enrolled member of that tribe, or has enrollment on the tribal census, must be presented for eligibility. An original letter or certificate from the tribal official who certifies membership or a certificate of degree of Indian blood issued by the United States or Canadian government is required.

If your parent or grandparent is from a Canadian tribe, you must provide an original document showing their band number. 

• Once enrollment documentation of the parent or grandparent has been provided, documentation from the applicant showing state residency for the past twelve months prior to application must also be provided.  Examples of forms of documentation include rental receipts, lease agreements, proof of home ownership, and utility bills. 

• To trace descendancy, the applicant must present original birth certificates naming the parent and possibly another birth certificate tracing the parent to the grandparent.

• Your documents will be photocopied and the originals will be returned to you.

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