Scholarship & Finances for International Students
Student Life
Important Financial Information
If you’re looking to study in the United States, it’s important to ensure you have the resources to pay for your education. Part of the process to get your student visa requires proof that you can meet the financial needs of yourself and your dependents while here. Whether you finance your education yourself, through a sponsorship, or receive financial aid, we’re here to make sure you have the information you need.
Financial Aid Overview
UMFK offers affordable tuition and financial aid opportunities to reduce or eliminate your financial debt after graduation. You’ll also benefit from one-on-one attention to help you successfully navigate the entire financial aid process. While you may not qualify for U.S. Federal aid, financial aid options are still available even if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Some of the opportunities available to international students include:
- Internal and external scholarships
- University work-study jobs
- Alternative loans for international students
You can also seek financial assistance through a sponsor. Examples of financial sponsors include grants, government or private organizations, or family members.
Our Financial Aid office provides a dedicated page with resources for international students, including various scholarships, scholarship search providers, alternative loan lenders, and more.
If you’re already enrolled as a student, you can access our campus portal to search our scholarship database and apply for UMFK Foundation scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Affidavit of Financial Support
All international applicants requesting an I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Status) must demonstrate evidence of financial ability to support their education and living expenses while at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
The table below reflects the estimated cost of attendance* for the 2023-2024 academic year, based on 15 credit hours per semester:
| Canada (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Isle) | Canada (All Other Provinces) | All Other International Countries | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $9,045 | $9,045 | $14,325 |
| Living Expenses | $9,590 | $9,590 | $9,590 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Misc. Personal/Health Insurance | $2,820 | $2,820 | $2,820 |
| Travel | $1,722 | $1,722 | $1,722 |
| Estimated Total | $24,177 | $24,177 | $29,457 |
For each dependent, add $4,800
*Tuition and fees are subject to increase without notice
*Tuition and fees are subject to increase without notice
Please indicate the sources of funding and the amounts readily available. Sponsors must verify support by signing the Statement of Financial Support. Supplementary documentation indicated below is required to accompany the Statement of Financial Support. All supporting documentation must be dated within 90 days of the date listed on the affidavit of support. This form should be submitted within six (6) months of the start date for the Fall or Spring semester. Documents issued in the name of another college or university are not acceptable.
The I-20 form will not be issued if documentation is incomplete or missing. Applicants must demonstrate financial support equal to or greater than the cost of attendance indicated above.
Please check to see if your sponsor will be required to file an I-134. This is for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals lawfully residing in the U.S. only. It should be filled out completely and signed by the person who will financially sponsor the F-1 student.
| Sources of Funds | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
| Personal Savings | Official bank statement |
| Family/Relative Personal Sponsor(s) | Official bank statement from sponsor(s). Sponsor(s) must sign verification statements on the financial affidavit. |
| Scholarship | Official scholarship award letter from the institution/organization awarding the scholarship. The award letter must contain the applicant’s name, the amount of money available for each year of study, the duration of the award, and the name University of Maine at Fort Kent as the institution to which the award is applicable. |
| Loan | Official letter from the lending institution indicating approval of the loan and the amount approved. |
| Government/Employer/Other Organization | An official letter indicating the amount of support containing the applicant’s name, the amount of money available for each year of study, the duration of the award, and the name University of Maine at Fort Kent as the institution to which the award is applicable. |
Making International Payments
Do you need to make payments while abroad? We’ve partnered with TransferMate and Flywire to accept payments from overseas!
We have partnered with TransferMate to provide seamless international payments through your online student account. Log into your student account, select Make A Payment, choose TransferMate from the drop-down menu, and follow the prompts.
Benefits of paying with TransferMate include:
- Peace of mind that your payment will be received in full and on time
- Rates are held for 48 hours, so you have complete visibility of the amount you will pay
- No need to worry about exchange rates fluctuations
- 24-7 multilingual customer support
How to Make a Payment Through TransferMate:
- Log in to your Student Account.
- Go to the Make Payment tab, and verify the Current Account Balance.
- Select TransferMate in the Method drop-down menu.
- Select the country you are paying from and click Review Rate.
- Select your preferred payment method (bank transfer or e-wallets).
- Enter payer details, confirm the payment information, and initiate your payment.
- If you are paying by bank transfer, you will be emailed the banking instructions. Make your payment to the instructed bank account.
- If you chose to pay through your preferred e-wallet, follow the instructions presented online.
- Only send the amount indicated on your student bill.
- Include your unique Transaction Reference number with the payment.
NOTE: Brazilian, Chinese, South African, and Indian students will be required to send supporting documents, which can easily be uploaded.
- Once TransferMate receives your payment, it will be sent to your institution.
- Your payment will automatically post to your Student Account.
- Confirmation of the posted payment will be emailed to you and the institute.
For questions about paying with Transfermate, you can email edu@transfermate.com.
Flywire allows you to:
- Pay from any country and any bank
- Save money on bank fees and ensure your payment is received in full
- Obtain excellent foreign exchange rates with a best rate guarantee
- Get peace of mind with multilingual customer support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Track your payments from start to finish
For questions about paying with Flywire, you can email support@flywire.com.
Third-Party Payments
If you have an employer or other third party paying on your student account, you must provide proof of third-party payment arrangements on, or before, the first day of classes in the semester in which courses are taken. You’ll need to notify the Business Office of such arrangements each semester in writing, showing both your and the third party’s obligations. Examples of acceptable proof include (but are not limited to) purchase orders, training authorizations, and tuition assistance authorizations. Not notifying the Business Office on or before the first day of classes may result in late payment fees.
For more information about third-party payments and assistance, please review the Business Office’s Third-Party Payment Guide.