AUGUSTA, Maine — Leaders of the University of Maine System (UMS), the Maine Community College System (MCCS) and Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) are praising the commitment to public higher education in the biennial budget proposal released by Gov. Janet Mills today (External Site).
Together, UMS, MCCS and MMA enroll 46,695 students and educate tens of thousands more Mainers each year through short-term training, early college and extension programs. Thanks to past investment supported by Gov. Mills and the Legislature, region-leading affordability and innovation, all are experiencing enrollment growth that is outpacing that in the Northeast and the nation.
The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 biennial budget proposal includes 4% annual increases for operations at Maine’s public universities, community colleges and maritime academy, and makes permanent up to two years of free tuition at Maine’s community colleges. The Governor’s budget also proposes funding to cover the costs related to implementing Maine’s new Paid Family Medical Leave program at public institutions of higher education, which collectively employ more than 12,200 dedicated faculty, staff and student workers in the state.
“The University of Maine System is delivering, with demographic-defying enrollment, record student retention, and unprecedented workforce and research impact,” UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy said. “We thank Governor Mills for recognizing the significance to the state of our public universities’ progress and putting forth a biennial budget proposal that will enable us to maintain our momentum for Maine. We look forward to working with the Legislature to make the case for the necessity of this level of investment, as well as much-needed infrastructure improvement bonding, to our ability to continue our region-leading affordability and drive even greater educational attainment and economic growth for the state.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Mills for her ongoing support, particularly in recommending Free College be made permanent. This is a powerful statement to Maine students and families that the state is investing in them to build stronger families, a stronger workforce, and a better future for all Mainers,” MCCS President David Daigler said. “This funding is critical to continue the good work happening at Maine’s community colleges, supporting our faculty, adjuncts, staff, and students.”
Since Fall 2022, there have been 17,151 Free College-eligible students who have enrolled in MCCS degree and certificate programs 100% tuition free. MCCS tuition and fees are the lowest in New England at $4,156 per year.
“I join my colleagues in thanking Governor Mills and her staff for recognizing the need for an ongoing commitment to higher education in Maine. Maine Maritime Academy is uniquely positioned to offer an academic experience and workforce training that propels our students into successful post-graduate careers all over the world and in Maine,” Maine Maritime Academy Interim President Craig Johnson said. “We fully recognize the financial challenges facing our state and applaud the support for both our ongoing programs and the mission-critical capital projects underway to support our students.”
Consistent with their commitment to enhanced collaboration that includes a new Transfer ME guaranteed MCCS-to-UMS admissions agreement, in September, Chancellor Malloy and President Daigler sent a coordinated budget request to the Mills Administration, conveying unified support for State appropriations increases that promote college access and affordability like free MCCS tuition and that help address rising operating expenses, which are largely driven by contractually obligated compensation costs.
“During your Administration and with your strong support, we have achieved a level of collaboration that we believe is unmatched by similarly independent two- and four-year public postsecondary systems in any other state in the nation,” the two leaders wrote to the Governor. “Your Administration has taken significant steps to reverse decades of underfunding of public higher education and Mainers are benefiting with increased educational attainment, employment, and earnings. Your final biennial budget offers an opportunity to make lasting investments that position our public systems and Maine’s families, workforce, and economy for long-term success.”
In that letter, the two public systems also noted the importance of public higher education infrastructure investment, as together, UMS, MCCS and MMA are burdened by at least $2 billion in deferred maintenance according to an independent third-party analysis.
About the University of Maine System
The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state’s largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit www.maine.edu.
Media Contact:
Samantha Warren
Director of External Affairs, University of Maine System
207-632-0389 / samantha.warren@maine.edu
MCCS: Noel Gallagher, 207-632-3659, ngallagher@mainecc.edu
MMA: Kate Noel, 207-326-2662, kate.noel@mma.edu