Dairy Improvement Fund is sponsored by FAME Maine (Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry). This loan program helps Maine dairy farms fund capital improvements to maintain and enhance the viability of their operations.

Dairy Improvement Fund - FAME Maine Affording Higher Education Getting Ready for College Foreign Credentialing Loan Program Military Families and Veterans Previously Incarcerated Students Employer Financial Wellness Roadmap Resources Maine Grant and Tuition Programs Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship Maine State Grant Program Out-of-State Reduced Tuition Consider Before You Borrow Federal Student Loan Programs Apply for a Private Student Loan with a Maine Lender Maine Loan Repayment Calculator Loans for the Health Professions Educators for Maine Program Important Federal Education Loan Updates Consolidating and Refinancing Student Loans Apply for a Private Refinance Loan with a Maine Lender Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program Student Loan/Salary Calculator Resources For Professionals Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund Potato Marketing Improvement Fund Nutrient Management Loan Program Linked Investment Program for Agriculture Compliance Assistance Loan Program Hospital System Loan Fund Program Regional Economic Development Revolving Loan Program Maine Rural Development Authority Linked Investment Program for Commercial Enterprises Revenue Obligations Securities Program Municipal Securities Approval Program Equity Capital and Tax Credits Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program Resources for Business Owners Glossary of Financial Terms Commercial Loan Insurance Build Your Personal Financial Wellness Start Saving and Investing Understand Taxes and Insurance Protect Your Money and Identity Build Your Student’s Financial Wellness High School Students and Beyond Resources for Educators and Professionals Build Your Employees’ Financial Wellness Employer Financial Wellness Roadmap Employee Tuition Assistance Financial Aid Info Sessions Financial Check-in with FAME Advisory Committee on Education Savings Federal Student Loan Repayment Help Confused about student loan repayment and not sure where to turn?

FAME can help! Making a plan for saving is the first step towards making education after high school a reality. Saving now will put you in a better position to pay for education after high school later.

Paying for education after high school usually comes from a variety of sources. Resources for Professionals Find helpful resources for educators, financial aid offices, and other professionals working with students. Use FAME’s online search to find Maine scholarships.

Learn more about managing your finances and improving your financial health. FAME has resources to help you serve your students and their families. There are things you can do at every stage to prepare for higher education.

FAME provides specific resources for New Mainers, Adult Students, Military Families and Veterans, and Employers. Learn more about managing your finances and improving your financial health. There are many ways to save for college.

Learn more about options that may work for you. A great way to help your child save for college. NextGen 529 is Maine’s section 529 plan which many Maine families use to save for college.

It can be hard to find money in your budget for college savings. These tips will help you find ways to save money. There’s money available to help pay for college.

Learn more about applying for financial aid and filing the FAFSA. Free Community College is Here If you’re a Maine student who earned (or will earn) a high school diploma or equivalent in 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025, you can attend Maine community college tuition free, but you’ll need to file the FAFSA first. Scholarships provide free money to pay for college.

Start your search for Maine scholarships here. Resources, Videos, and Calculators Use FAME’s Resources & Tools to help you afford higher education. Videos, webinars, and more to help you serve your students and families, as well as professional development opportunities.

Resources for Financial Aid Offices EPIC login and financial education resources to share with students. For over 40 years FAME has helped Maine people reach their business goals. FAME helps Maine lenders and their customers get to "yes."

FAME encourages investments in Maine businesses, both directly and through private venture capital funds. Commercial Loan Insurance FAME’s commercial loan insurance program helps lenders make business loans by reducing risk. When traditional loans are not the solution, FAME’s business loans may be the answer.

Learn about key steps in the business planning and financing process. Whether you’re starting a business or seeking financing for an existing one, learn about key steps in the business planning and financing process. When traditional loans aren’t an option for your business, FAME’s financing programs may be the answer.

Resources for Business Owners A collection of resources to help you plan and build your business. This network of alternative funding and counseling agencies can help you start or grow your Maine business. Commercial Loan Insurance for Lenders FAME’s commercial loan insurance insures a portion of loans made through participating financial institutions.

Miss out on a webinar? Find recordings and resources for FAME Business Webinars here. Quick link to FAME fees and rates for lender programs.

Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program Provides tax credits to investors in community development entities that reinvest in businesses located in low-income Maine communities. Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program Encourages investments in small businesses by providing credits to outside passive investors.

Free Online Financial Education Powered by iGrad® and Enrich®, FAME offers free online financial education to support Maine people during high school, college, and beyond. Build Your Financial Wellness Free resources to guide you on your path toward financial freedom. Grow Your Student or Child's Financial Wellness Tools to help you support youth financial capability.

Invest in Your Employees’ Financial Wellness Resources to help your employees improve their financial well-being. Employee Financial Wellness Roadmap Improving employees’ financial wellness helps improve productivity and satisfaction. Assistance available to help you create a win-win program.

An interactive program that encourages high school students to explore the return on investment of various career pathways and financial decision-making. Steps to Financial Wellness Setting goals, creating a budget, managing debt and credit, and MORE! All great steps to help you become financially capable.

Financial Wellness Resources FAME provides free financial wellness programs to help Maine people become more financially capable. Monthly Financial Check-in with FAME Free Webinars to learn more about preparing for and paying for higher education, including refinancing student loan debt. Resources for Elementary Students Invest in your child’s future and build money skills for life.

Resources for High School and Beyond Play Claim Your Future – career & budget game or use iGrad Online Financial Education with your students, and more… Resources for Educators and Professionals FAME has developed extensive resources for educators and professionals who support financial education in their school or community.

Employee Financial Wellness Roadmap This roadmap has resources and support to guide the development of life-changing financial education for your employees. Free flyers, videos, webinars, and more to share with your employees as employer-provided benefits.

Grow Maine: Small Business Loan and Capital Program Equity Capital and Tax Credits Resources for Business Owners Glossary of Financial Terms Grow Maine for Participating Agencies Grow Maine - Direct Loan Documents for Agencies Commercial Loan Insurance Grow Maine: Small Business Loan and Capital Program Grow Maine – Direct Loan Application Grow Maine – Equity Investment Compliance Assistance Loan Program Regional Economic Development Revolving Loan Program Regional Economic Development Revolving Loan Program for Day Care Maine Rural Development Authority Linked Investment Program for Commercial Enterprises Equity Capital and Tax Credits Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program Revenue Obligations Securities Program Municipal Securities Approval Program Resources for Business Owners Glossary of Financial Terms Grow Maine for Participating Agencies Grow Maine – Direct Loan Documents for Agencies Commercial Loan Insurance Open to Maine farms engaged in the commercial production of cow, goat, or sheep milk or milk products, the Dairy Improvement Fund loan program is intended to help dairy farms fund capital improvements to maintain and enchance the viability of their operations.

The Dairy Improvement Fund loan program was developed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and is administered by FAME. Maine dairy businesses recognized by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry as a dairy, dairy farm, or business making commercial milk products are generally eligible.

Eligible uses include design, construction or improvement of milking parlors, dairy barns, silos, grain bins, feed sheds, or land or equipment purchases that enhance the viability and vitality of an established Maine dairy farm.

Loan funds may not be used for working capital unrelated to project implementation, or to finance or refinance projects commenced, costs incurred, or expenses paid prior to the date of the submission of a completed application (and such costs and expenses shall not be considered eligible project costs for determining the matching financing or private funds requirements).

However, such restrictions may be waived for good cause, as determined by the Commissioner in his or her discretion, upon written request for a waiver made at the time of the submission of a letter requesting eligibility determination. Eligible construction or major renovation projects with construction financing needs in excess of $50,000 will require an additional outside construction lending source.

FAME will assist applicants in identifying construction take-out financing for any project where construction monitoring is needed. Up to 90% of total project cost, if eligible project cost is $100,000 or less. * Up to 75% of total project cost, if eligible project cost is over $100,000.

* Maximum loan amount is $250,000. *If eligible project cost is $100,000 or less, borrower must inject at least 10% in private funds into the project. If eligible project cost is over $100,000, 25% in private funds is required.

Deferred principal and interest payments may be available up to 24 months from closing; interest accrues beginning at closing. Up to 30 years and determined by the useful life of the asset(s) being financed. Asset(s) being financed and other collateral, as required or available.

Guarantees of business principals owning 20% or more of the business, or 5% or more and receiving significant income from the business. Loan origination fee: 1% (for loans over $100,000). Borrower is responsible for all loan closing costs.

The first step in the application process is an eligibility determination. Submit an Eligibility Form to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). If the project is deemed eligible, DACF will notify the applicant(s) and will forward the Eligibility Form to FAME.

Eligibility Documents (DACF) Dairy Improvement Fund Eligibility Form Eligibility Contact (DACF) Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Agricultural Resource Development Division Once the project has been deemed eligible by DACF, the applicant(s) must then complete and submit the required program application documents (listed below) to FAME.

Application Documents (FAME) Save and print your completed forms, then mail to FAME. Dairy Improvement Fund Application Please use the application checklist to ensure your application contains all of the required documents.

Personal Financial Statement Application Contact (FAME) 207-623-3263 or 1-800-228-3734 As part of the application process for your private loan, you will need to complete a brief private loan counseling course on iGrad, a financial literacy resource provided by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). The course will take approximately 10 minutes, after which you will be directed to the loan application. Manage your FAME loan(s) online!

FOR BUSINESS LOANS: Please call 1-800-228-3734 , option 1. FOR EDUCATION LOANS: Visit the FAME Loan Repayment Portal , and click the green “Register” button. Be sure to have your loan account number, your contact information (email and phone number), and your phone.

These will be required to set up your online loan account. New and returning customers — Apply today ! NOTE: Maine Loan accounts in good standing are serviced by FirstMark Services and are not accessible through the FAME Loan Repayment Portal.