AUGUSTA, ME — Governor Mills has released details on her plan to make the Maine Free Community College Scholarship permanent, with three changes that are estimated to lower the cost of the scholarship program by $2.5 million, to $10 million per year.
The current scholarship and terms remain in place for the graduates of the high school classes of 2023-25, no matter what the legislature decides this session. The proposed changes are not retroactive and would only apply to the governor’s new proposal for the high school graduates in the Class of 2026 and beyond.
“We didn’t seek out these changes, but they are a reasonable and viable way forward to ensure that Maine high school graduates can continue to have this incredible opportunity, and that Maine can remain one of the 30-plus states with a free college program,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System. “It’s a matter of staying competitive, of supporting hard-working young people looking to get ahead, and investing in the development of our state’s skilled workforce.”
A public hearing on the funding is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Friday, Feb. 20, before the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
The proposal for the Class of 2026 and beyond would require that:
Qualifying students must be from Maine, with a primary residence in Maine for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of admission. (Previously, students had to be living in Maine while enrolled, which allowed people from out of state to move to Maine and qualify for the scholarship. About 4% of Maine Free College Scholarship students moved to Maine at time of enrollment.)
The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition costs, rather than both tuition and fees. (Full-time tuition is $2,880 per year, and fees are $1,276 per year). The program continues to require that students accept all federal and other state grant aid prior to accessing Maine Free College funds and many, but not all, students’ other financial aid will still cover their fees.
Qualifying students would have 150% of time, rather than the current 200% of time, to access the scholarship. (Previously, a student pursing an associate degree part time had up to four years of scholarship support. For the Class of 2026 and beyond, that student would only have up to three years of scholarship support.) (Source: https://www.maine.gov/budget/home. See QQQ language)
Other requirements from the initial Free Community College Scholarship are continued in the new proposal, including the “last-dollar scholarship” structure that requires students to accept all federal and state aid before Maine Free College Scholarship funds are applied; that students pursue an associate degree or certificate; and that students enroll no later than two years after high school completion.
“Between these proposed changes and the overwhelming support we’ve seen across the state, we’re hopeful this will pass in the legislature and be signed by Governor Mills in time to benefit this year’s graduating seniors,” Daigler said.
The legislature is scheduled to complete its work by April 15.
AUGUSTA, ME — Governor Mills has released details on her plan to make the Maine Free Community College Scholarship permanent, with three changes that are estimated to lower the cost of the scholarship program by $2.5 million, to $10 million per year.
The current scholarship and terms remain in place for the graduates of the high school classes of 2023-25, no matter what the legislature decides this session. The proposed changes are not retroactive and would only apply to the governor’s new proposal for the high school graduates in the Class of 2026 and beyond.
“We didn’t seek out these changes, but they are a reasonable and viable way forward to ensure that Maine high school graduates can continue to have this incredible opportunity, and that Maine can remain one of the 30-plus states with a free college program,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System. “It’s a matter of staying competitive, of supporting hard-working young people looking to get ahead, and investing in the development of our state’s skilled workforce.”
A public hearing on the funding is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Friday, Feb. 20, before the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
The proposal for the Class of 2026 and beyond would require that:
Qualifying students must be from Maine, with a primary residence in Maine for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of admission. (Previously, students had to be living in Maine while enrolled, which allowed people from out of state to move to Maine and qualify for the scholarship. About 4% of Maine Free College Scholarship students moved to Maine at time of enrollment.)
The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition costs, rather than both tuition and fees. (Full-time tuition is $2,880 per year, and fees are $1,276 per year). The program continues to require that students accept all federal and other state grant aid prior to accessing Maine Free College funds and many, but not all, students’ other financial aid will still cover their fees.
Qualifying students would have 150% of time, rather than the current 200% of time, to access the scholarship. (Previously, a student pursing an associate degree part time had up to four years of scholarship support. For the Class of 2026 and beyond, that student would only have up to three years of scholarship support.) (Source: https://www.maine.gov/budget/home. See QQQ language)
Other requirements from the initial Free Community College Scholarship are continued in the new proposal, including the “last-dollar scholarship” structure that requires students to accept all federal and state aid before Maine Free College Scholarship funds are applied; that students pursue an associate degree or certificate; and that students enroll no later than two years after high school completion.
“Between these proposed changes and the overwhelming support we’ve seen across the state, we’re hopeful this will pass in the legislature and be signed by Governor Mills in time to benefit this year’s graduating seniors,” Daigler said.
The legislature is scheduled to complete its work by April 15.
AUGUSTA, ME —Governor Janet Mills’ supplemental budget released Wednesday includes a plan to make the Maine Free College Scholarship permanent, starting with this year’s graduating seniors.
“It’s critical this scholarship remains available for the thousands of grateful students and families who benefit from continuing their education at a Maine community college,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS). “We thank the governor for making this life-changing program a priority.”
The previously funded Maine Free College Scholarship, in place since 2022, was a last-dollar scholarship that paid 100% of tuition and fees for recent high school graduates headed to a community college in qualifying years. Currently, graduates (or equivalent) from the high school classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 qualify for the scholarship. Qualifying students must pursue a degree or certificate and accept any state or federal aid before Maine Free College Scholarship funds are applied.
“This scholarship is wildly popular not just with students and families who save money on tuition, but with employers and industry leaders,” Daigler said. “They recognize that it’s attracting more hard-working people to get the education and technical skills they need for high-demand jobs. It’s a powerful tool that is growing Maine’s skilled workforce faster, with people carrying less or no college debt into their working lives.
Since fall 2022, when the scholarship began, 22,327 Free College Scholarship-eligible students have enrolled. After state and federal aid is applied, the average annual Maine Free College Scholarship amount is $1,600 per student.
AUGUSTA, ME — Maine’s community colleges received $19.4 million in federal funding for critically needed facilities and equipment in a range of programs, as part of the federal budget package signed by President Donald Trump.
“These investments championed by U.S. Senator Susan Collins will have lasting and widespread impact for the students at Maine’s community colleges,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS). “Investments in equipment, program development, and key facilities benefit generations of students who are tomorrow’s skilled workforce in Maine.”
“We deeply appreciate Senator Collins’ persevering effort and the support of U. S. Senator Angus King to ensure Maine’s community colleges have the resources they need to give students a high-quality, affordable education directly tied to our state’s workforce demands,” Daigler said.
The federal funding will go toward the following projects:
York County Community College:
$6.5 million towards a new $15 million student housing project on campus. (Collins and King)
Eastern Maine Community College:
$6.5 million to build a new simulation lab and renovate an existing lab for nursing and health care programs. (Collins)
Southern Maine Community College:
$2.2 million to create a new heat pump training lab and renovate an existing facility to expand the plumbing program. (Collins)
Kennebec Valley Community College:
$1 million for equipment for the short-term workforce training mechanized logging program. (Collins)
$180,000 to purchase equipment for the college’s electrician training program. (Collins)
Central Maine Community College:
$1 million for equipment for a nursing simulation lab. (Collins)
Northern Maine Community College:
$1.3 million for equipment and program development to train industrial electrical and instrumentation technicians. (Collins and King)
$650,000 to purchase labor and delivery simulation equipment for the college’s nursing and health care programs. (Collins and King)
AUGUSTA, ME — Maine Community College System President David Daigler said he was “thrilled” that Governor Janet Mills is proposing ongoing support for the Maine Free College Scholarship.
“I’m thrilled Governor Mills is fighting to keep the Maine Free College Scholarship going for the Class of 2026 and beyond,” Daigler said after the governor’s State of the State address Tuesday night.
“The scholarship is an incredible investment in Maine’s economy because today’s community college students are tomorrow’s skilled workers that we all rely on for a productive and growing state economy. Maine’s young high school graduates deserve the opportunity to put in the work, study hard, and get a strong start without struggling to pay tuition as they get the technical skills they need for good-paying jobs right here in Maine or to transfer to a four-year college,” Daigler said. “We thank the governor for leading this effort to offer the scholarship to this year’s graduating high school seniors and beyond. It will make a huge difference and bring more skilled workers into Maine’s workforce faster.”
The scholarship allowed Tori Wile of Gray, who attended the Governor’s address, to pursue her dreams of learning a trade. “I didn’t want a sit-down job, and I knew the community colleges had all the trades,” said Wile, who earned an associate degree in building construction technology from Central Maine Community College (CMCC) last year and now works in the facilities department. “I don’t think I could have afforded college at all, or at least as easily.”
Wile, a lifelong Scout who earned the Bronze Star and is an Eagle Scout, is assistant scout master for a Lewiston troop and is currently pursuing a second CMCC degree in facilities management.
The Maine Free College Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that pays 100% of tuition and fees for recent high school graduates in qualifying years. Currently, graduates (or equivalent) from the high school classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 qualify for the scholarship. Qualifying students must pursue a degree or certificate, fill out the FAFSA, and accept any state or federal aid before Maine Free College Scholarship funds are applied.
Since the scholarship began in fall 2022, 22,327 Free College Scholarship-eligible students have enrolled. Of those, more than a third are still enrolled, more than 3,600 have graduated, and almost 1,800 have transferred to a University of Maine System (UMS) university of another four-year college to continue their education.
A recent UMS transfer report said “MCCS transfers show the strongest outcomes: in Fall 2024 they passed 88.5% of attempted credits, the highest among transfer groups and higher than first-time students …. MCCS transfers also post the highest return rate (75.8%) than other transfer groups and first-time students.”
Full-time tuition and fees for a Maine resident at the community colleges is $4,156 a year, the lowest of any New England college. After FAFSA-related state and federal aid is applied, the average annual Maine Free College Scholarship amount is $1,600 per student.
AUGUSTA, ME — The Board of Trustees of the Maine Community College System (MCCS) has confirmed the recommendation of MCCS President David Daigler and appointed Dr. Julius Edwards, a vice president at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, as the next president of Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor. He will begin April 1.
Edwards has served in a series of leadership roles at Ivy Tech over the last 15 years, including vice chancellor of academic affairs, dean of the Ivy Tech School of Business & Supply Chain Management, director of the transfer center, and assistant director of the financial aid office. Ivy Tech is one of the nation’s largest community colleges, serving more than 168,000 students a year and has 19 campuses.
“Dr. Edwards has outstanding experience leading initiatives that are directly tied to our priorities at Maine’s community colleges,” Daigler said, noting Edwards’ work in aligning academic programs with industry trends, developing short-term workforce training in high-demand industries, and finding innovative ways to improve student experience and outcomes.
Edwards also managed diverse academic programs that included agriculture, advanced automation and robotics, supply chain management, culinary, and commercial driving. He also worked as an adjunct professor teaching business courses.
“I have spent my career working in a multi-campus community college, keeping access, student success, and workforce relevance at the center of every decision. Along the way, I have worked to strengthen academic quality, build meaningful employer and transfer partnerships, and secure resources that expand students’ opportunities,” Edwards said. “Those experiences have shaped how I approach leadership and will guide my work alongside the Eastern Maine Community College community as we support students, employers, and the region together.”
“We warmly welcome Julius Edwards to our community and look forward to working with him,” MCCS Board Chairman Peter DelGreco said. “His deep and broad experience with community colleges, commitment to the student experience, and focus on innovation is just what the board was looking for in a leader.”
Edwards has a doctorate in higher education leadership from Indiana State University, a master’s in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University and Pursue University at Indianapolis.
Edwards succeeds Elizabeth Russell, who passed away last fall shortly after retiring. MCCS Chief Academic Affairs Officer Janet Sortor has served as interim president.
Eastern Maine Community College, located in Bangor with an off-campus center in East Millinocket, enrolls more than 2,700 students. It is one of seven colleges in the Maine Community College System.
AUGUSTA, ME — In 2025, Maine’s community colleges continued their mission of providing an affordable, relevant, high-quality education – delivered by outstanding instructors and with the support and community that students need to thrive. Among the year’s highlights were new student housing and athletics options, expanded academic programming in key economic sectors, new leadership, spectacular athletic and academic achievements, and record high enrollments for both degree-seeking students and Early College students who are still in high school.
The year’s highlights include:
RECORD OVERALL ENROLLMENT: A third straight year of record fall enrollment, with 15,833 students enrolled in fall 2025. Key factors include the colleges’ robust high-quality programming, high demand for skilled workers, new guaranteed transfer agreements with the University of Maine System and six private colleges in Maine, and the Maine Free College Scholarship.
RECORD HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT: Responsive to Maine’s ongoing shortage of health care workers, Maine’s community colleges continued to focus on expanding nursing and health care training programs, enrolling a record high 3,570 health care students in Fall 2025 (up from about 2,000 students pre-pandemic) in more than 60 health care-related degree and certificate programs across the state. In addition, the colleges offered scores of health care-related short-term workforce training programs that take less than a year to complete and offer both immediate job skills and prepare graduates to pursue certificates and degrees.
CONSTRUCTION TRADES TAKE CENTER STAGE: As the state of Maine takes multiple steps to alleviate Maine’s housing crunch, the need for skilled construction workers of all stripes has never been greater. Maine’s community colleges focused on meeting that need in 2025, developing new industry based collaborations through the system’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce and with expanded degree, certificate, and short-term training opportunities.
INNOVATION RECOGNIZED: Three of Maine’s community colleges (Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), Southern Maine Community College (SMCC), and York County Community College YCCC) were recognized for high quality non-credit offerings, a noteworthy development as colleges nationwide adopt new non-credit short-term workforce training programs alongside accredited degree and certificate programs. The colleges are in the first cohort recognized by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
STRATEGIC PLAN UNVEILED: In March, the system Strategic Plan was released, outlining the short- and long-term goals and strategies for serving our students, supporting our employees, and building lasting partnerships with business and industry groups.
GROUNDBREAKING PRISON EDUCATION: Washington County Community College (WCCC) received funding to expand the college’s innovative prison education program, allowing the college to launch an innovative suite of online, stackable certification courses in computer technology. WCCC, which has offered a range of classes at multiple corrections facilities in Maine since 2018, was one of five New England colleges to receive the funding.
LEADERSHIP: Among the leadership changes in 2025 was the hire of Doug Binsfeld as president of Northern Maine Community College (NMCC), and Betsy Libby, formerly the president of CMCC, as the new MCCS vice president and chief academic affairs and enrollment management officer. MCCS also welcomed construction executive Stacey Harris and KVCC nursing student Jasmine Sanders as new trustees for the system’s Board of Trustees. Sadly, MCCS mourned the passing of Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) President Liz Russell and honored her with the naming of the campus Learning Commons. MCCS President David Daigler joined the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, working with higher education leaders in Maine and across the country and the Institute for Citizens & Scholars to promote students becoming engaged citizens.
EMPLOYEE HONORS: SMCC Don Sheets was named the 2025 recipient of the Maine EMS Governor’s Award, the highest individual honor in the state’s emergency medical services system. NMCC faculty member Patrick Wiley was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office as the 2024 EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year.
NEW FACILITIES, ASSOCIATIONS: Among the new and updated facilities around the system in 2025: KVCC added a new student housing option, which means all seven colleges now offer housing options. KVCC also opened a new early childhood education classroom on the Fairfield campus, providing full-day care for children ages six weeks to three years, with priority for students and employees. SMCC opened a new Advanced Manufacturing lab at the Brunswick campus. YCCC added a new student shower facility. CMCC opened a new Construction Electricity Lab. NMCC finalized preparations of its new child care center.
2025 Sports highlights include:
SMCC’s golf program won two national championships when the men’s team won the USCAA National Championship team title, and first-year standout Grace Thompson won Individual National Champion honors in the women’s field.
Augusta, Maine – The Maine Community College System (MCCS) and The Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) are partnering to launch a four-week, hands-on construction training program across the state to prepare Maine adults for meaningful careers in the construction trades.
The Maine Construction Academy Immersion Programs, managed by AGC Maine and funded by MCCS’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, will launch next year at five community colleges. A certified pre-apprenticeship program, students receive hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and direct connections to employers. Graduates will be qualified to enter high-value registered apprenticeships or pursue certificate or degree programs to advance along career pathways within Maine’s growing construction industry.
The Maine Construction Academy Immersion Programs will launch at:
Central Maine Community College (CMCC) in Auburn, on March 3, 2026
Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) in Presque Isle, on March 16, 2026
Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) in Fairfield, on May 11, 2026
Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) in Bangor, on May 13, 2026
Washington County Community College (WCCC) in Calais, on May 18, 2026
Funding from the Alfond Center comes from private philanthropic support and Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan funding. The program will be offered at no cost to trainees.
“We are proud to partner with AGC Maine to offer such a streamlined, low-barrier program that not only fast-tracks the number of skilled workers into Maine’s construction industry, it creates a way for graduates to move seamlessly into apprenticeships or ongoing training to launch their construction careers. Partnerships like this between employers and the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce are critical to scaling opportunities and strengthening Maine’s talent pipeline,” said MCCS Chief Workforce Development Officer Dan Belyea.
This strategic partnership is a result of a statewide Construction Industry Workforce Partnership launched in March 2025 by the Alfond Center that includes over 50 stakeholders from the construction industry, trade associations, union, education, and workforce development systems. The group collaborates to develop workforce training strategies to effectively and efficiently strengthen the skilled construction and trades workforce. The launch of the Maine Construction Academy Immersion Program across five community colleges is just one of the strategies developed to address workforce shortages in Maine’s construction industry. Other programs under development include new short-term training programs in carpentry, heavy equipment operation, and HVAC skills. For more information on construction and trades programs at the community colleges, visit this page: Construction Career Training in Maine
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward for Maine’s construction industry and workforce development efforts,” said Kelly Flagg, Executive Director of AGC Maine. “The Maine Construction Academy Immersion Program gives participants a real-world introduction to the trades while connecting them directly to employers ready to hire. Together with the Maine Community College System and The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, we’re opening doors to rewarding, high-demand careers and helping to build the skilled workforce our state needs.”
Joan Dolan, director of apprenticeship & strategic partnerships at the Maine Department of Labor, shared her support for the initiative:
“The Maine Department of Labor is proud to support the Maine Construction Academy as a certified pre-apprenticeship program that opens doors to meaningful careers in the skilled trades. Through this partnership with the Associated General Contractors of Maine, the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce, and the Maine Community College System, we are building stronger pathways into registered apprenticeship—and a stronger future for Maine’s workforce.”
The Maine Construction Academy Immersion Program reflects a shared commitment among AGC Maine, MCCS, and the Alfond Center to strengthen Maine’s workforce pipeline, expand access to quality training, and support the next generation of construction professionals.
If you are interested in applying for the program, click here.
AUGUSTA, ME — Fall enrollment is up 3% at Maine’s community colleges, marking another historic high enrollment for the seven colleges.
“This sustained enrollment growth is critical at a time when Maine’s economy needs more skilled employees in a range of industries that we specifically target for high-quality, low-cost instruction – from construction to computer science. This ongoing demand is a sign that we are executing on our mission of providing an education that works for Mainers looking to find meaningful work and a better life,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS).
Significant initiatives at Maine’s community colleges in recent years have played a large role in continuing the system’s role as the state’s premiere workforce training partner.
Recent changes include new transfer agreements with the University of Maine System and six independent Maine colleges aimed at making the four-year college pathway more affordable and seamless; Free Community College scholarships that cover 100% of tuition for the high school graduating classes of 2020-2025; expanded instruction hours and new remote learning options; new certificate and degree programs to meet market demands; and academic initiatives that increase student success and improve the student experience. At the same time, the colleges serve as vibrant community centers with new housing options, new sports teams, and additional student events and activities.
As of October 15, fall enrollment was 15,833 students, up 3% from 15,366 students on the same date last year. Tuition and fees for a full-time in-state student are $4,156 a year, the lowest in New England.
Starting this year, MCCS has changed the way it reports fall enrollment to exclude Early College students, who are high school students taking community college courses at their high school or at a college campus. The new reporting method aligns MCCS with the University of Maine System, which began excluding Early College students from its enrollment reports several years ago. The change also ensures transparency in the makeup of Maine’s community college student body.
Using the new model, fall enrollment at Maine’s community colleges has increased 20% since fall 2019 (the last pre-COVID fall class) and increased 13% since 2017.
Although official fall enrollment figures only capture degree-seeking students, MCCS has also significantly expanded short-term workforce training programs that take less than a year to complete and are generally free for students. These short-term programs are coordinated by the system’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce. Since 2022, 45,000 people have enrolled in those programs, which focus on quickly and efficiently acquiring a particular skill – such as basic construction skills in 10 weeks, a three-week welding course with a weekly $500 stipend, or a compact nine-month option for a medical assisting program.
MCCS is on track to train more than 100,000 students in short-term workforce training programs by 2030, the result of a historic five-year grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation. Graduates of the short-term program are eligible for scholarships toward a degree or certificate program.
AUGUSTA, ME — Over the next year, 6,700 Mainers will attend free short-term workforce training programs at Maine’s community colleges, thanks to $8.3 million distributed by The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce.
The Alfond Center, a unit of the Maine Community College System (MCCS) that manages short-term workforce programming, provided the funding for campus-delivered classes as part of its five-year $75 million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation.
“This is the largest investment in on-campus short-term workforce programming in the system’s history,” MCCS Chief Workforce Development Officer Dan Belyea said. “This is workforce training at the scale and speed Maine needs.”
The 220 programs being offered over the next year will result in industry-recognized certifications and skill development, for both new and incumbent workers, in such fields as construction, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, electrical, plumbing, welding, hospitality, and more. Students can earn Google Career Certificates, and be trained to be medical or dental assistants, truck drivers, welders, early childhood education workers, fiber optic technicians, and more. The programs typically run from three to eight weeks, with some extending up to a year. Some programs include temporary housing, weekly stipends, and guaranteed interviews with industry hiring managers.
“I was tired of entry-level jobs and ready to build a more secure future,” said Wilmarys Martinez, who is currently enrolled in a fiber optics training program at Central Maine Community College. “This program gave me hands-on experience, real skills, and the confidence that I can turn this into a career. I see myself making a whole life out of what I’m learning.
“We’re opening doors for thousands of Mainers to earn the skills and credentials that lead directly to employment — without the financial barrier of tuition,” Belyea said. People completing the short-term programs also earn scholarships towards one-year and two-year programs at the colleges.
Short-term workforce programs offered through the Alfond Center both on- and off-campus have vastly expanded since 2018, when the Harold Alfond Foundation began a series of significant grants – now totaling almost $100 million – to MCCS earmarked for short-term workforce training. Alfond Center projects are also funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, Maine Quality Centers, Put ME to Work, and private foundations. By 2030, the Alfond Center will have provided low- or no-cost training to almost 100,000 Mainers – out of a statewide labor force currently at about 700,000.
In the past three years, the Alfond Center has already provided training to 31,000 Mainers. Programs are developed in close partnership with employers, industry associations, and state partners to create training aligned with real-time hiring needs – moving job seekers into meaningful careers and helping Maine businesses find skilled, qualified workers.
In addition to short-term workforce training programs, Maine’s community colleges enroll more than 20,000 people a year in degree-seeking programs, which include one-year certificates and two-year associate degree programs. About 5,000 high school students enroll through the colleges’ Early College programs.
