MELA was established to assist students and their families in achieving their higher education goals by providing a supplemental or alternative student loan program. MELA’s alternative student loan programs consists of The Maine Loan® and The Maine Medical Loans®. The Maine Loan allows borrowers to borrow up to the full cost of an undergraduate or graduate education less other financial aid. This loan is available to Maine residents attending approved schools in the United States and Canada, and out-of-state students attending approved schools in Maine.