Early College

by Christy Kilton Alley

Dual Enrollment (DE) or Early College (EC) refers to all programs in which high school students enroll in college courses and earn both college and high school credit when they successfully complete the course. Courses are offered online, on a college campus or outreach center, or at a local high school or Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center.  

The subset of dual enrollment courses taught by college-approved high school teachers in a secondary environment are called concurrent enrollment (CE) courses.  Homeschooled students would need to contact their local high school for a list of available course options.  

Benefits of Early College:  

High school students who enroll in early college courses are more likely to enroll in college, have higher grades, and have a better chance of earning a college degree.

Students who participate in Early College are 7x more likely to attend college.

Early College Courses are Offered Through the Following Maine Colleges:

Maine’s Public Universities: University of Maine System (UMS):

  • University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), Augusta, Bangor, and 8 UMA centers
  • University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), Farmington
  • University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), Fort Kent
  • University of Maine at Machias (UMM), Machias
  • University of Maine (UM), Orono
  • University of Southern Maine (USM), Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston-Auburn
  • University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), Presque Isle

Maine’s Community College System (MCCS):

  • Central Maine Community College (CMCC), Auburn
  • Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC), Bangor
  • Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), Fairfield and Hinkley
  • Northern Maine Community College (NMCC), Presque Isle
  • Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), South Portland and Brunswick
  • Washington County Community College (WCCC), Calais
  • York County Community College (YCCC), Wells

Husson University, Bangor

Thomas College (CE only), Waterville

Information about Early College at Maine’s Publicly-funded Institutions (UMS and MCCS)

Through the Department of Education Aspirations Program, qualified high school students in Maine can enroll in college courses for up to 12 credits per year at UMS and MCCS without paying any tuition or fees. Students are only responsible for purchasing textbooks and any other required materials. Qualified high school students are publicly-funded high school students or homeschool students whose families have filed a letter of intent.  Students attending private, religious institutions or paying tuition to attend a semi-private high school do not qualify.  Second semester first year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible.

Note:  EC courses taken at private colleges in Maine do NOT count toward the 12 credit limit since costs are not covered by the Aspirations program.

Learn more about the UMS Early College by clicking here.

Learn more about the MCCS Early College program by clicking here.

The UMS and MCCS share an application portal.  The UMS portal is called ExplorEC and the MCCS portal is called OnCourse. They have 2 access points, but you can apply for classes from both campuses from this 1 spot.

Go to the UMS ExplorEC Portal and/or the MCCS OnCourse Portal to do the following:

  • Create an account
  • Search for and apply for classes
  • Contact a UMS/MCCS Early College Advisor
  • Learn more about free and reduced tuition eligibility
  • Get more information 

AP4ME: State-Wide Access to Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

The UMS oversees the AP4ME program which offers Maine high school students the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses completely online, regardless of where they live or their school’s ability to support AP courses.  

All Maine high school students are eligible to enroll in a maximum of two AP4ME courses per academic year. Homeschool students registered with the Maine Department of Education may also participate.

Learn more about the AP4ME program by clicking here.

Information about Husson University’s Early College Access Program

Through the Husson University Early College Access Program (ECAP), high school juniors and seniors can enroll in college courses to earn credits that can count toward a degree program. ECAP is offered to domestic students in the following states: ME, NH, VT, NY, MA, CT, RI, MD and NJ.  Courses are tuition-free for ECAP students.

Go to the Husson’s ECAP website to do the following:

  • Apply for the ECAP program
  • Request additional information

Information about Thomas College’s Early Access Program

Through the Thomas College Early Access Program, high school students can enroll in college courses at their local high school.  Contact your local high school guidance office to learn about course offerings near you.  Thomas College does not offer online or on campus options for early college students.

Learn more about the Thomas College Early Access by clicking here.  

Information about Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Early Scholars Program

Through Saint Joseph’s College Early Scholar Program high school juniors and seniors accelerate learning in exciting college-level courses.  Students can take up to 4 college courses over 3 semesters on campus or online.  The cost is $150 per course.

Go to the Saint Joseph’s Early College Scholars website to do the following:

  • Review course offerings
  • Apply for classes
  • Download the Early Scholars Brochure