Promoting student success and personal development is a priority at every UMA Center

To help you succeed, our Saco Center staff are happy to assist you in selecting your UMA course(s), transferring courses from other colleges or universities, scheduling exams, finding scholarship dollars or applying for financial aid, or just getting acclimated to college life.

We are here to help you!

Remember, the MyUMA portal is your single sign-on access point to all of your electronic resources at UMA, including MaineStreet, your University email, Brightspace, and other student resources and information.

Visit the MyUMA Portal

Student Resources

Have a Question? We Have Answers.

Student Services Coordinators (SSC) at the UMA Centers are happy to answer questions about financial aid, admission to a degree program, course schedules, and more. An SSC can help you select courses, locate resources and ensure you’re on track to graduate.

The UMA Saco Center offers a New Student Orientation (NSO) prior to the start of fall and spring semesters. All new and transfer students are encouraged to attend new student orientation to meet other new students and Center staff, and to learn about student support services, computer resources, library services, as well as classroom communication and procedures.

Please call 282-4111 for more information about upcoming NSO events.

Off like a rocket!

At Orientation you will learn about:

  • MaineStreet and your “Student Center.”
  • Your University email account.
  • The University’s computerized library system.
  • How to request a library card.
  • What to do with Brightspace.
  • How online and web-conference classes work.
  • What college professors expect.
  • How to be prepared for the first few weeks of class.

Online New Student Orientation

While UMA offers on-site orientations and students are invited to experience all orientation options, all incoming students are expected to complete the online format. Click on the button below for more information.

Online Orientation Information

New students, are you activated?

If not, please immediately activate your UMS account and create a password. Here’s the quick guide to walk you through the process. Need assistance? Call 1-800-696-4357 or email help@maine.edu. Please bring your UMS account/password with you to orientation.

UMA is committed to your success! To ensure students have a solid academic foundation, the Office of Advising utilizes placement testing to determine students’ level of skill in one or more academic areas. This allows UMA staff to identify the most appropriate courses for enrollment. Students may be waived from placement testing with appropriate test scores, previous college coursework, or other criteria.

Learn about Placement Testing

Certain times are available for students who need to schedule proctored exams for online classes, delayed view classes, approved makeup exams, or exams which must be taken outside of regular class time.

Exams must be scheduled ahead to ensure we have the correct exam on hand when you arrive. Be prepared to provide photo identification to the proctor before beginning your exam (e.g. driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, student ID).

Proctored Exam Schedule:

Schedule may be subject to change during vacation weeks.

Please note: We are not able to accommodate exam start times prior to 8:30 am and no later than 3 hours before our center’s closing time.

Please contact the Center for current proctored exam hours.

Questions about scheduling your exam? Contact us at (207) 282-4111.

UMA Saco Center

4 Scammon Street, Ste 18
Saco, ME 04072

Scholarships are financial awards, which do not have to be repaid. Full-time and part-time UMA students have an opportunity to apply for a number of scholarships as a result of funding made available by the University of Maine at Augusta, the University of Maine System, and generous donations by organizations and individuals to UMA’s scholarship fund.

Explore Scholarships

UMA welcomes hundreds of transfer students each semester. In fact, the majority of our new students are transfer students! Whether you are coming in with a few courses or several semesters of credit, we will work with you to develop your educational plan and maximize your advance standing.

Learn about transferring to UMA

Copies of the University of Maine System Conduct Code are available at Augusta’s Office of the Dean of Students. All students should become familiar with the Student Conduct Code. Questions should be directed to the Associate Dean of Students in Augusta.

Student Conduct Code

UMA welcomes hundreds of transfer students each semester. In fact, the majority of our new students are transfer students! Whether you are coming in with a few courses or several semesters of credit, we will work with you to develop your educational plan and maximize your advance standing.

Learn about transferring to UMA

Tutoring at UMA Saco Center

Tutoring help is available from the UMA Saco Center via Zoom and email. Please email us at umasaco@maine.edu or call 282-4111 to request tutoring help in MATH and WRITING.

Tutoring is an effective strategy to help students increase their understanding of course material and study skills. Qualified peer tutors are typically available for developmental and introductory classes at no charge for currently registered students in the following content areas: Writing, Computer Applications, Math, Study Skills.

Computer Applications Support

UMA Saco Center provides assistance for students to orient them and provide basic instruction in the following computer applications and systems:

  • MaineStreet (UMS’s Account Management System).
  • Brightspace (UMS’s Learning Management Platform).
  • File management strategies —including use of flash drives and Google Drive.
  • Word processing applications (Microsoft Word and Google Docs).
  • Presentation software.
  • Basic spreadsheet applications (Excel and Google Sheets).
  • Use of communication applications such as Zoom and Google Hangout.
  • Accessing online student resources such as the distance reference librarian and online tutors.

Please call the center at 282-4111 or email umasaco@maine.edu to confirm the availability of help.

Math or Writing Support

Available By Appointment. Please call the center at 282-4111 or email umasaco@maine.edu to schedule an appointment.

VAWLT (Virtual Academic Writing Lab Tutors)

Distance tutoring at your convenience via the computer:
With extended hours, VAWLTers support writers via phone, email, shared documents, live-chat, and/or video conference — whatever works best for you. In addition, the VAWLT website has loads of resources for college writers. Contact a VAWLTer »

NetTutor

Online tutoring is now available in most courses via a national program called NetTutor. NetTutor has been around for over 20 years and is used by colleges all over the country. Tutors have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in the subject they tutor and are available to assist via video, audio or chat. To access this resource, click on the NetTutor link in your course menu.

Here is a link to a video that explains how to use NetTutor

Not seeing what you need?

Please contact the Saco Center at 207-282-4111 or email umasaco@maine.edu