The Bell Scholars Program provides integrated academic advising, mentorship, career development, and experiential learning opportunities above and beyond the typical supports provided at UMF.

As a Bell Scholar you’ll build upon career-development resources with job-exploration activities such as informational interviews with employers and UMF alumni, as well as internship and graduate school advising. You’ll also be matched with UMF alumni mentors who will provide you with career-readiness coaching. UMF alumni are an incredible professional resource for our students and are eager to help you sharpen your professional skills.

Michael Bell
UMF alumnus Michael Bell ’86

Generously funded by UMF alumnus Michael Bell ’86, the Bell Scholars Program’s goal is to provide students with a “road map for success” in whatever field they choose, even if they don’t know what that is yet.

For Bell, Farmington helped him find his way in the professional world. “I wanted to provide the University with funding so future students can have a similar experience for their own intellectual growth and career development.”

The Bell Scholars Program seeks a select group of students who are interested in exploring majors, academically promising, curious about the world and interested in leadership and mentoring opportunities.

As a Bell Scholar, your benefits package –– a savings of nearly $4,000 — includes:

  • An expense-paid registration to UMF Summer Experience — our week-long residential program in June where you’ll live on campus and get to know the University and surrounding community and make connections with approximately 150 of your new classmates. Summer Experience attendees also take a 1-credit class taught by a UMF professor
  • A tuition-paid 3-credit summer hybrid (predominantly online) course — ACE 177: Career and Education Planning
  • Personal assistance with finding an on-campus work position. Students who are not eligible for Federal Work-Study funding will still receive paid campus employment. Pay starts at $12 per hour
  • Optional reduced class load (3 classes instead of 4) in the fall semester to manage the transition to college
  • Professional mentoring with a Farmington graduate who will provide career-readiness coaching. These relationships often lead to internship opportunities.
  • Dedicated librarian adept at supporting First-Year students through the research process
  • Mentorship from an upperclass Bell Scholar student
  • An opportunity to become a peer mentor for new Bell Scholars in your sophomore, junior and senior years
  • Priority registration for classes in major areas of interest

> Meet seven Bell Scholars from the UMF Class of 2023

Confirm your spot now

There are a limited number of spots available for the Bell Scholars Program. To secure your spot, please Confirm your place as soon as possible.

Please note: Confirming a spot in the Bell Scholar program is a separate confirmation process than the regular UMF Admissions confirmation. If you have not yet confirmed your acceptance through UMF Admissions, click that button below.

Bell Scholar Confirmation Form UMF Confirmation Form

If you would like more information before you decide, contact Cyndi McShane, below.

Contact Us

Cyndi McShane
Bell Scholars Program Coordinator
University of Maine at Farmington
tel  207-778-7035
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
cynthia.mcshane@maine.edu