Educational Benefits

UNE values the education of not only our students, but of our faculty, professional staff, and their dependents. There are four programs you and your family may participate in, if eligible. We offer a summary of benefits here, but full details are available in our Personnel Handbook (PDF) or by consulting with one of our Human Resources representatives. Please note the important deadlines specified below for each. Due to limitations, these benefits are not guaranteed.

All questions about any educational benefits should be directed to educationalbenefits@une.edu.

UNE employees are eligible for a 100% tuition waiver for coursework on a space-available basis and only in programs of study that are not enrollment capped. Full-time employees are limited to two courses per semester. Half-time employees may take one course per semester. Discounts on courses are for tuition only and do not include additional fees or materials. Refer to Student Financial Services and/or the Academic Catalog for cost information.

Dependent children of full-time employees may take coursework in non-enrollment capped programs at a discount. After merit aid is awarded (if applicable), the remaining balance of tuition will be discounted by 50% for dependents of full-time employees with less than 1 year of full-time service. Once a full-time employee reaches 1 year of full-time service, their dependent will receive a 100% tuition waiver, effective the semester following the employee’s attainment of 1 year of full-time service. The combined total of merit and tuition grant in aid shall not exceed the annual tuition cost. Room, board, and fees are not eligible expenses. 

Spouses and domestic partners of regular full-time employees may take one course per semester (not to exceed four credits per semester), tuition free.

• Get an overview of the Tuition Grant in Aid program (PDF)
• Visit PeopleAdmin to access the tuition grant in aid request form
  • For additional PeopleAdmin navigation information review the Self-Service Portal Tutorial (PDF)
• Tuition grant in aid form for non-benefits eligible and preceptors, adjuncts and field supervisors (PDF)

After one year of uninterrupted full-time service, your dependent children may apply for tuition-free acceptance to undergraduate programs at any members of the Council of Independent Colleges. Please submit your CIC application for any academic year by October 15 of the prior year. For example, if an employee’s child is applying for college acceptance for next fall, the CIC application is due in UNE’s Human Resource Office by the previous October 15. Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

You can find additional information on the CIC webpage, in the CIC Overview (PDF) and the CIC Guidelines and Procedures (PDF).

If you are a regular full-time employee who has completed 5 years of uninterrupted service or its equivalent by the date of your application, your dependent children may apply for tuition-free acceptance for a maximum of eight semesters at an eligible college within The Tuition Exchange Program. You must remain employed full-time for the full duration of the tuition exchange period.

Students renewing their TE scholarship must meet College eligibility guidelines each year and be re-certified by the Tuition Exchange Committee. The deadline for employees to submit tuition exchange applications for consideration for any academic year is September 30 of the prior year. For example, if an employee’s child is applying for college acceptance for next fall, the tuition exchange application is due in UNE’s Human Resource Office by the previous September 30. Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

You can find additional information on The Tuition Exchange Program website and in the Tuition Exchange Program Overview (PDF).

Regular full-time employees hired on or before August 31, 2024, with ten or more years of continuous and uninterrupted service may apply for an annual tuition subsidy. The amount of the award will vary by years of service. You must submit applications for the UNE Blue Scholar dependent scholarship each quarter or semester you are requesting a scholarship payment. Applications along with a copy of the dependent's detailed bill should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources. Payments will be made directly to the college or university and will not exceed the cost of attendance, but may impact other aid awarded. It is important to check with the host institution regarding their internal policies. This benefit may be used in conjunction with other UNE tuition benefit programs. Additional details are available in our Personnel Handbook (PDF).

• Overview of the Blue Scholar Program (PDF)
• Overview of the Blue Scholar Submission Process (PDF)
• Visit PeopleAdmin to access the Blue Scholar request form
  • For additional PeopleAdmin navigation information review the Self-Service Portal Tutorial (PDF)

Thornton Academy $2,500 Scholarships

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the children and step-children of all benefits-eligible UNE employees are eligible for the UNE Community Scholarship at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine. The scholarship covers $2,500 per year and is renewable as long as the employee remains benefits-eligible. No additional scholarship application is required, Thornton Academy will request employee verification from UNE’s HR Department. The scholarship is also combinable with other scholarships and financial aid.

Learn more about Thornton Academy (PDF)

North Yarmouth Academy University of New England Family Education Advantage

Beginning with the 2023–2024 school year, all full-time benefit-eligible employees at UNE qualify for a 20% tuition remission benefit for their children or stepchildren to attend grades one to postgraduate at North Yarmouth Academy (NYA). In addition to proof of parent employment from UNE, the students must successfully complete the NYA admission application process. The benefit automatically renews each year as long as the family remains benefit eligible at UNE. Families may also apply for additional need-based assistance. Contact the NYA Admission Office for more information.

• Student Debt Calculator Tool: Keeping on top of your student loans is hard. Fidelity’s easy-to-use tool can help you assess, track, and understand new strategies for paying off your student debt. 
• How to spend from a 529 college plan

All questions regarding educational benefits can be emailed to educationalbenefits@une.edu.