Three Reasons to Take Early College Credits with a Purpose:
Students have access to many early college opportunities through Maine’s public universities and community colleges. It is important to make sure students choose their courses with intention. There are many benefits of early college, however, credits without a purpose can have unintended impacts on college plans.
Transferability
- Only the receiving college can confirm whether a course will transfer
- While most credits will transfer as electives, college programs may limit the number of electives students can use
- College programs have specific course requirements and courses outside those requirements may not transfer
- For tools to help determine transferability within Maine’s Public Universities please visit our Transfer Students page.
Financial Aid
All colleges must follow federal financial aid rules. Many Maine students attend college using Pell Grants and/or federal loans. While most early college activity has no real impact on financial aid, students and families should be aware of these areas:
Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Grades: Failing or withdrawing from too many courses can impact the student’s financial aid eligibility if they continue at the college where they earned those grades
- Courses: Taking too many courses outside of a college program will limit financial aid eligibility
Full-Time Enrollment
Taking too many courses that fill general education requirements may limit the student’s ability to be full-time once they get to college, which may limit financial aid eligibility
College Success
- Research has shown that students who take even just 1-2 early college courses benefit from higher college success rates
- Too many unsuccessful courses on a college transcript generated in high school can impact future academic standing or program acceptance
- Doing well in select courses is the best way students can prepare for a college major
Downloadable Flyers
Note: All files are coded for screen readers to be accessible when shared digitally.
Credits with Purpose Flyer:
Borderless, full-color 8.5″ x 11″ flyer with full 1/8″ bleed (for commercial printing) – PDF
Grayscale 8.5″ x 11″ flyer with printing margins (for standard printer/copier) – PDF
Early College Career Exploration Pathways Brochure:
Greyscale 8.5″ x 14″ brochure, double parallel fold (for standard printer/copier) – PDF
A Collaboration of Maine’s Community College System and the University of Maine System:
The University of Maine System is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
The Maine Community College System (MCCS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please contact the MCCS Office of Human Resources at 207.629.4000. The complete notice of non-discrimination is available at mccs.me.edu/non-discrimination (External Site).