Wabanaki Tuition Waiver

College of the Atlantic

Supporting access, honoring community

College of the Atlantic is located on the traditional lands of the Wabanaki people. As part of our ongoing commitment to educational equity and land acknowledgment, we offer a Wabanaki Tuition Waiver to eligible students from Maine’s Tribal Nations.

This waiver fully covers tuition and, for qualifying students, COA also meets 100% of demonstrated financial need—without loans—using our institutional aid policies. Below, you’ll find eligibility details, documentation requirements, and step-by-step instructions for applying.

To qualify for the Wabanaki Tuition Waiver, students must meet one of the following criteria:

Enrolled Maine Tribal member

A Maine resident listed on the current census of one of the following federally recognized Tribes:

Passamaquoddy Tribe
Penobscot Nation
Houlton Band of Maliseets
Mi’kmaq Nation

Direct descendant of a Maine Tribal member

A Maine resident with at least one biological parent or grandparent enrolled in one of the above Tribes.

To receive the waiver, students must first be admitted to COA through the standard undergraduate or visiting/special student process.

1. Submit your admission application

Apply through our regular undergraduate admissions process.
Note: Tribal status is not considered during the admissions review.

2. Complete the Wabanaki Tuition Waiver Application

Fill out and submit the COA Wabanaki Tuition Waiver form by your financial aid deadline.

3. Provide required tribal documentation

See the “Required Documentation” section below for specific materials.

4. File the FAFSA (U.S. citizens only)

Reapply for aid annually to maintain eligibility

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using COA School Code 011385

Respond to any additional requests from the Financial Aid Office

Submit documents via:

financialaid@coa.edu (email scanned copies)

Or mail to:

College of the Atlantic
Attn: Financial Aid Office
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

For enrolled Tribal members

A document issued within the past two years directly from a Wabanaki-recognized Tribal office, confirming current enrollment on the Tribal census.

For direct descendants

A document issued within the past two years from a Wabanaki-recognized Tribal office confirming your parent or grandparent is an enrolled member.
Original birth certificate(s) linking you to the enrolled Tribal member.

What the waiver covers:

Full tuition for regular, credit-bearing courses. The waiver does not cover room, board, fees, or non-credit courses.

Maintaining eligibility:

Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and reapply for financial aid each year to continue receiving the waiver and institutional aid.

Scholarship interaction:

The Wabanaki Tuition Waiver replaces any merit- or tuition-based scholarships from COA. However, need-based grants may still be awarded to cover additional expenses.

Funding limits:

Total aid—including the waiver and all grants—cannot exceed the full cost of attendance. If necessary, aid may be adjusted to avoid over-award.