Maine community colleges offer free program to fill high-demand fields

The Maine Community College System is offering a free certificate training program to 180 students this year with the help of a $3.6 million Harold Alfond grant.

BANGOR, Maine — When it comes to getting a higher education, a major barrier for many people is the amount of money that decision can cost. Last year, Forbes reported that Americans had $1.5 trillion in student loan debt — the highest ever recorded.

Now, imagine being able to get everything college promises for free — training in some field, a job that hopefully pays well, a sense of giving back to the community. A Maine community college program in its first year is well on its way to making that a reality for some — and it doesn’t take nearly as long as a traditional degree. More»