Free Tuition for Qualified Students
Students who are expected to graduate with the Class of 2026 may earn up to 12 credits per academic year, tuition-free.
Starting with the Class of 2027, qualified students may earn a lifetime total of 18 tuition free credits. The annual maximum on tuition-free enrollment remains at 12 credits.
For purposes of eligibility and credit totals, the academic year begins on May 1 and ends on April 30. Summer courses count toward the subsequent academic year (e.g. Summer 2025 enrollment is counted toward the 2025/2026 academic year).
All credits, regardless of course location (whether taken at a student’s high school, online, or on campus), are counted toward both the annual and lifetime credit caps. This includes credits earned through Maine’s Public Universities and Maine’s Community Colleges, as well as any courses taken through these institutions at the high school level (e.g., Concurrent Enrollment courses).
Students who exceed the lifetime cap may apply for courses as “Self-Pay” students. Students will be billed at the Early College tuition rate(s) established separately by the University of Maine System and Maine Community College System.
Students are responsible for course-specific fees and materials (e.g. lab fees, travel/housing fees, materials or supplies fees, access-code fees, etc.).
Which students qualify for Aspirations funding?
Note: This is per Maine State Statue, not per University of Maine System policy.
- Publicly funded high school students
- Students who attend a high school or academy classified as a Private Schools Approved for the Receipt of Public Funds and who are not private pay tuition (taxpayer dollars pay tuition for public students to attend these schools such as Fryeburg Academy or Thornton Academy)
- Home Educated students who have filed a letter of intent with their local school district and/or the Maine Department of Education
- International students who are living with a host family, attending school per a Superintendents agreement, and are NOT paying tuition to that school (e.g. exchange program students)
Which students do not qualify for Aspirations funding?
Note: This is per Maine State Statue, not per University of Maine System policy.
- Students who attend private schools and pay tuition
- International students who are paying tuition to a public or private high school
- Any Maine student who is paying tuition to attend a public or private high school
- Any out-of-state student
- Homeschooled students who do not fill a letter of intent with their local school district or the Maine Department of Education
How much do students pay if they do not qualify for Aspirations funding?
- Maine high school students will be billed the Early College tuition rate.
- The Early College tuition rate for Maine students is currently $149 per credit hour.
- Students are responsible for course specific materials or travel/housing fees, even if they do qualify for Aspirations funding.
- Students not attending a Maine high school should contact the Early College Administrator at the campus they wish to attend to learn more about costs for out-of-state students.
What happens when a student takes more than 12 credits per year or exceeds their lifetime cap of 18 credits?
- Maine high school students will be billed the Early College tuition rate for each credit above 12.
- The Early College tuition rate for Maine students is currently $149.00 per credit, but is subject to change when tuition rates change.
- Students are responsible for course-specific fees and materials (e.g. lab fees, travel/housing fees, materials or supplies fees, access-code fees, etc.).
How do campuses offer tuition free course to Maine’s students?
- These programs are, in part, made possible by a one-time investment by the Legislature to expand college access and affordability.
- The Aspirations program is sponsored by the Maine Department of Education, which reimburses our campuses for a portion of the tuition costs.
- Maine’s Public Universities waive the remaining tuition costs to support the state’s efforts to promote college access and affordability.
What happens if students are not successful in their courses?
Per the University of Maine System Course Retake Policy adopted in November 2023, students who are not successful in a course must meet with the Early College Advising and Success Coordinator (ECASC) before taking additional courses. All students receiving grades of D+ and lower will receive an email fro the ECASC with this information and next steps.
- A student earning a D grade will be encouraged, but not required to retake the course.
- A student earning an F or L grade will be required to retake the course before taking any additional course(s). If the student is registered for any subsequent course (s) then they will be removed.
- A student who earns an I grade will be required to complete that course before taking any additional course(s). Students receiving an I are not allowed to register for the same course unless the grade is converted to an F. A student receiving an I grade may not make up missed work by sitting-in on the course the next time it is taught. If the student is registered for any subsequent course (s) then they will be removed. Students with I grades will not be able to take additional courses until they have completed their course with a D- or better.
The Department of Education Aspirations program WILL pay for the student to retake a course if they earn a W, D, F, or L grade (one time per course) as long as the student has not exceeded their 12 tuition-free credits for the academic year which runs from May 1st to April 30th.
This requirement only applies while students are enrolled in high school.
Learn more on our Grades & Course Retake Policy page.
How do students pay a bill?
Coming Soon!
For additional help or information please contact your University’s Early College Administrator.