COURTESY OF MAINE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Maine’s community colleges play a pivotal role in the educational landscape of Maine, providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality education and training, and serving learners with a vast array of aspirations at various stages in their career development.
Maine’s seven community colleges offer over 300 degree and certificate options, 200 short-term pre-hire workforce programs, and work with more than 2,000 Maine employers to expand Maine’s workforce.
Below are some examples of exciting initiatives available through Maine’s community colleges.
FREE FOR MANY. AFFORDABLE FOR ALL.
Maine’s community colleges offer the lowest tuition and fees in New England. For nearly half of our students, Pell Grants and Maine State Grants cover the full cost of tuition and fees. For many, grants cover significantly more.
Great news: you don’t have to be a full-time student to qualify for financial aid. We have several scholarships for part-time and working Mainers to help you get where you want to be.
EARLY COLLEGE
High school students can take up to 12 college credits tuition-free every year through our Early College programs. These courses will challenge you, spark your interest, and prepare you for college.
Learn More: Mccs.me.edu/high-school
FREE COLLEGE
Don’t miss out on the Free College Scholarship! If you graduated high school (or earned the equivalent of a high school diploma, like a GED or HiSET) between 2023-2025, enroll now and receive free tuition at any of Maine’s seven community colleges. You can choose from any of our degree or certificate programs. From core classes to hands-on training, there are hundreds of programs to choose from.
To qualify, students must:
• Pursue a degree or certificate at least part-time
• Fill out the FAFSA and use any grant aid first
• Live in Maine while enrolled
Learn more: FreeCommunityCollegeMaine.com
FREE SHORT-TERM WORKFORCE PROGRAMS
Have you always been interested in a particular career but don’t have much time to train? Fast-track your future with low- or no-cost short-term training programs. Our seven community colleges have over 200 workforce programs designed to get you the skills you need to start a career you’re passionate about. These programs have been built with industry partners to identify what’s required to get started, and when students are ready, they will have already earned credits toward a certificate or degree program in that field.
Programs take just weeks and months to complete and are offered at little or no cost to anyone who lives in Maine. Some offer weekly stipends, housing, or guaranteed interviews with companies that are hiring.
Take advantage of hybrid, night, and weekend schedules, stackable badges and certificates, an onramp to a degree program, and an affordable way to learn a new skill.
Learn more:alfondcenter.mccs.me.edu/short-term-training
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYERS
Our community colleges’ Workforce and Professional Development teams support lifelong learning for Maine people and businesses. For individuals, we create pathways to the next career goal. For employers, we listen to your needs, customize training, and help build a skilled workforce for today and tomorrow. We partner with more than 2,000 Maine employers and offer up to a $1,200 match per employee to support training and professional growth.
Learn more: MCCSworks.com
From trades to transfer, Maine’s seven community colleges provide high-quality, relevant, hands-on learning at a fraction of the typical college cost. Build your future here, choosing from a diverse mix of programs offered through short-term training in under a year, one-year certificates, two-year associate degrees, and advanced certificates.
