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Logo for ExplorEC: Early College at Maine's Public Universities

Early College (or dual enrollment) refers to all programs in which high school students enroll in college courses. Students earn both college and high school credit when they successfully complete the course.

High school students who enroll in early college courses are more likely:

  • to enroll in college
  • have higher grades
  • have a better chance of earning a college degree.

Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent enrollment includes courses taught by college-approved high school teachers at the student’s high school.

Online/On Campus

Students enroll in courses that take place on a college campus or online along with other college students.

Bridge Academy

The Bridge Academy adds college level courses to Career and Technical Education programming. For more information visit Bridge Academy Maine (External Site).

Qualified students may earn up to 12 tuition free credits per academic year (May 1 – April 30) with a lifetime cap of 18 credits. Concurrent and Aspirations programs are supported, in part, by the Maine Department of Education (External Site).

Bridge Year students may earn up to 25+ credits, at a cost of $40 per credit. 

To learn more about our revised academic eligibility policy for Early College download our Student Access document (Word Document).

Join University of Maine System Early College administrators from all of our campuses and special guests in exploring the nuances of our various programs. In this collaborative video series our teams will share their perspectives through panels, presentations, and interviews with subject matter experts and industry insiders.

Communications

Announcements

New Lifetime Credit Cap – Summer 2025 Guidelines – Advising Tip – Excess/Duplicate Course Applications

New Lifetime Credit Cap Beginning with the Class of 2027 (current high school sophomores), students can earn up to 18 tuition-free college credits through the Aspirations Program. The annual limit for eligible students will remain at 12 tuition-free credits, and … Read More

Earlier Announcements

Transcript for University of Maine System Early College: Samantha York, NEWS CENTER Maine (1:30)