Saint Joseph's College of Maine will offer free tuition to qualified students

Photo / Courtesy of Saint Joseph's College of Maine Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is the state's only Catholic liberal arts college. Located on the shores of Sebago Lake in Standish, the 474-acre campus offers 46 undergraduate programs and has approximately 800 on-campus students.

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By Alexis Wells

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has formally launched the Monk's Lantern Initiative, a free tuition program designed to expand educational access to Maine residents.

The program is designed to eliminate the financial barrier to higher education. Last year, the college awarded nearly $20 million in merit scholarships and award packages.

It will cover the full cost of tuition for up to four years of undergraduate study. The program targets Maine students with a minimum high school GPA of 3.4 and family income of $100,000 or less.

To be eligible, students must also be Maine residents for at least one year and live on campus throughout enrollment at Saint Joseph's College of Maine.

"The Monk's Lantern Initiative is a powerful expression of our core values," said Joe Cassidy, the college's president. "For years, we've quietly been walking with students from the margins, helping them realize their potential and achieve their dreams.

"This program is our formal commitment to that legacy — ensuring that a values-based education is not a luxury, but a fundamental opportunity for every qualified student in Maine," he continued. "We are illuminating the path forward, one student at a time."

Prospective students must complete the free application for federal student aid and the full admission application for Saint Joseph’s College of Maine to be considered.

Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is the state's only Catholic liberal arts college. Located on the shores of Sebago Lake in Standish, the 382-acre campus offers 46 undergraduate programs and has approximately 800 on-campus students.

Saint Joseph's was ranked No. 16 among Maine's largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on full-time undergraduate enrollment in fall 2024.