The Promise Scholarship Campaign

At the University of Southern Maine (USM), we believe that anyone – regardless of circumstances – who has the drive to succeed and the willingness to work hard deserves a chance at higher education.

The Promise Scholarship is designed to help some of Maine's most disadvantaged young people overcome financial, academic, social, and cultural barriers, remain in school, and graduate in four years with little or no debt.

Unique to our program is our partnership with Maine’s youth-serving organizations, who will recommend strong candidates for the Promise Scholarship. Many of these students will be the first in their families to attend college – a life-changing opportunity!

Your Gift Will Help Us Reach Our $15 Million Goal

We are raising $15 million to sustain the Promise Scholarship program for the long term. A permanent endowment of this size will support $500,000 in scholarships each year, with average awards of $5,000. Your gift to the Promise Scholarship campaign helps us:

·       Change the lives of 100 deserving Maine students every year

·       Bridge gaps in financial aid with scholarships of up to 50% of tuition 

·       Provide support to help ensure success during the critical first year

"As a first-generation immigrant, I hope to build a strong foundation for myself and my family. Graduating debt free means a lot. But also important are the strong community connections I've made. I know I'm going to be OK." 

                                                             -- Mohamed "Mo" Awale '17 *

* Mo was one of USM's first Promise Scholars. At age 6, he traveled to America from a refugee camp in Africa. In high school, he was a regular at the Boys & Girls Club. Now, he's a USM graduate with a job in the insurance industry.