With changes in federal funding priorities and the Legislature advancing a state budget that flat-funds the University of Maine System for the next two years, the flagship is temporarily pausing new financial offers, including assistantships to graduate students, as it assesses what resources it will have to support these mission-critical positions
ORONO, Maine — Amid increasing state and federal funding uncertainty, the University of Maine has temporarily paused making new financial offers to graduate students for the upcoming academic year.
Effective immediately and consistent with actions taken by other public and private universities across the nation, UMaine has paused all new offers of teaching and research assistantships and fellowships as it assesses what funding will be available in 2025-26 to support those positions. The institution continues to make offers of admission and intends to honor any financial commitments already made, although those will remain dependent on available funding.
The university began notifying graduate students of the pause in a written message today and plans to provide an update in early April before the April 15 traditional “decision day” for graduate programs (External Site). A pause in hiring new faculty and staff was announced in January.
While Maine’s flagship is the most affordable in New England, with its current in-state graduate credit hour cost about half the average of peers in the region, the pause impacts all aspects of its world-class education and research enterprise and the planning of hundreds of students.
This current academic year, UMaine enrolled 3,261 graduate students and 806 of them were appointed to paid assistantships, which typically provide stipends, tuition waivers and health care and other benefits in exchange for teaching undergraduate students, conducting hands-on research that benefits the state or performing other functions.
UMaine’s decision to delay graduate student financial offers comes as the federal government has slowed making new awards and some of the flagship’s existing grants and contracts are being paused as the new Administration reviews them for alignment with its priorities.
The federal funding uncertainty was compounded last week when the Legislature passed a so-called continuing services state budget that flat-funds the University of Maine System (UMS) in the upcoming biennium, despite Governor Mills’ original FY26-27 proposal providing increases to mitigate the impact of compensation costs and other inflationary pressures on students at Maine’s public universities. The System will now need to advocate for those critical appropriations to be added into a second budget bill.
UMS is experiencing its highest-ever graduate enrollment this year, with 6,999 students pursuing master’s degrees and doctorates (External Site), more than half through UMaine. Graduate enrollment in the System has increased 17.6% over the past five years, contributing to overall UMS enrollment stability while meeting state employer needs for more professionals with advanced degrees and advancing research-driven innovation that strengthens Maine’s economy and communities.
About the University of Maine System
The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state’s largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit www.maine.edu.
Media Contact:
Samantha Warren
Director of External Affairs, University of Maine System
207-632-0389 / samantha.warren@maine.edu