Early College

Use this steps for OnCourse enrollment guide to create your first account.

Taking college courses while you are still in high school is a great way to explore career interests and build confidence for college. In fact, there is a growing body of research that suggests that students who participate in dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities are more likely to:

• develop a realistic understanding of college expectations while building academic skills and confidence
• attend college
• transfer successfully from a community college to a four-year college or university
• complete a college degree ahead of or on time
• succeed in their college program

Taking dual and concurrent enrollment classes now also mean you have multiple layers of support; your high school, perhaps your CTE, your instructors, your family, and your college advisors will all be ready to support you.

Maine’s community colleges are committed to providing equitable college access through our various On Course and Early College programs. For that reason, our colleges waive course fees for high school students in the following programs:

Maine Aspirations Program

The Maine Aspirations Program provides access to early college courses by funding tuition costs; this program is managed by the Maine Department of Education. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a public high school or be home schooled and the requirements below.

Lifetime Aspirations Credit Eligibility

Beginning with the Class of 2027, students will be able to access a lifetime total of 18 credits.

The one exception to the 18-credit lifetime limit will be CTE students in designated early college career pathways. Students in approved CTE pathways will be able to access an additional 6 credits on the career pathway.

Pathways are available to students within the OnCourse application portal.

Course limits per semester (totals within and across systems)

In order to promote both intentionality and student success, early college students are limited how many courses they can take in a given semester.

• Summer : 2 courses, cannot meet during the same shortened session.
• Fall: 3 courses
• Spring: 3 courses
• Semester limit exceptions may be made for year-long concurrent enrollment courses and specialized programs (Spring Ahead, etc).
• EC offices have the right to deny enrollment to a student based upon their prior academic history.

Students who choose to take courses beyond the lifetime cap may apply for additional credits as self-pay students at the Early College tuition rates.

These annual and lifetime credit totals include courses taken at Maine’s community colleges and public universities.

Eligibility for Aspirations includes:

• Minimum public high school grade point average of at least a 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0), or the equivalent of a “B” average or, in lieu of a 3.0, they are recommended for participation by a school unit’s administration (see exception statement below)
• The eligible institution has determined that the student has satisfactorily completed any course prerequisites;
• The school unit approves;
• The student’s parent or caregiver approves; and
• The eligible institution has space available for the secondary student.

Exception – Student Eligibility

Students not meeting the grade point eligibility requirements, or are first- or second-year students may participate if:

• The student has received a recommendation to participate from the student’s school administration or teacher following an assessment of the student by the school administration; and
• The student has been approved for participation by an eligible institution.

Early College Tuition Rate at Maine’s Community Colleges

Students who either do not qualify for or have exceeded their individual Aspirations funding that are attending a Maine High School will be charged an Early College rate.

• Maine’s community colleges will waive regular course fees.
• Courses on campus or online are charged at the regular tuition rate (currently $96/per credit.)
• Courses taught concurrently in Maine schools are charged at a reduced rate (currently $60/per credit.)

Special Programs:

• These rates will apply to Bridge Academy students unless the college has a preexisting arrangement for those students.
• Students in the Telstar Early College Program and Spring Ahead have preexisting arrangements.

While your school may offer a wide variety of college courses, it’s important to select those that either help you explore potential career interests or align with your intended college
path.

If you’re still in high school, it’s completely normal not to know what you want to study in college or what career you want to pursue. However, taking too many college courses in unrelated areas can make it harder for those credits to transfer—and less likely to support your progress once you’re in college.

Start slowly and thoughtfully. Use the resources below to guide your decisions, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor or local college staff for support.

Use the OnCourse Career Pathway module.

• How To Navigate OnCourse & Career Pathways – Students
• CTE Credit & Pathways Explained for Students and Schools
• Credits with a purpose
• Career pathway map

Taking early college courses is a great opportunity to explore college-level learning while still in high school. Whether your course is on-campus, online, or taught at your school, you are considered a college student—and that comes with new responsibilities and systems to navigate.

One key area to understand is accommodations for students with disabilities. The rules and processes for receiving accommodations in college are different from those in high school. In high school, services are guided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, Subpart D. In college, they follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504, Subpart E. When you are in a college course—even if it is taught inside your high school or CTE—you can only use the accommodations in the college Accessibility Office letter.

Overview of ADA Accommodations

Overview of ADA Occommodations – Print Version

Contact Accessibility Offices at Maine’s Community College:

• Central Maine Community College Accessibility Office
• Eastern Maine Community College Accessibility Office
• Kennebec Valley Community College Accessibility Office
• Northern Maine Community College Accessibility Office
• Southern Maine Community College Accessibility Office
• Washington County Community College Accessibility Office
• York County Community College Accessibility Office

Your Next Steps

1. Explore Your College and Course Options Use OnCourse and individual community college websites to search for courses. Make sure the course aligns with your IEP or learning plan.
2. Connect with the Accessibility Office As soon as you register for a course, reach out to the college’s Accessibility Office. Each college has its own process, and accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. It’s your responsibility to initiate this contact. The office will let you know what documentation they require.
3. Gather Your Documentation Colleges require documentation of a diagnosed disability. Make sure you have access to all current evaluations of your diagnosed disability and keep them in a safe place for future use. Your high school and parent/guardians may be able to assist you in gathering this information.
4. Meet with the College Once you have all your documentation, schedule your intake meeting with the college. This may be in person  or virtually but it is important to have a personalized discussion about how to plan your academic success.
5. Begin Your Course and Use Support Services Share your accommodations letter with your instructor if applicable. You’ll also be introduced to tutoring centers, learning labs, and other student support services.

Search and apply for courses through our OnCourse application portal.

Linked below are resources for schools, students, and families. These are meant to be easy-to-use, overview resources. Please see other areas of this website for more comprehensive information if needed.

Understanding Early College in Maine

For Students and Families – Aspirations Program Explained
For Schools & Partners – Aspirations Program Explained
CTE Credit & Pathways Explained for Students and Schools
Maine Early College Report, June 2022

Navigating the OnCourse Portal

Steps to On Course Enrollment
How To Navigate OnCourse & Career Pathways – Students
Language for OnCourse Agreements
Homeschool Parent-Guardian Guide for OnCourse

Student Support Materials

ADA Accomodations
Overview of ADA Accommodations – Print Version
Credits with a Purpose
Career Pathway Map

Enrolling in this program is a great way to explore the benefits of a community college education. Your Embark advisor will meet you at your high school and guide you to the academic, personal, and financial resources you need for success in and beyond community college.

Available for students at about 80 participating high schools, Embark offers:

• Personalized encouragement and advising in high school and college
• Guidance through the college application and financial aid processes
• For scholarship recipients:
  • Continued support and guidance as you enroll at a Maine community college
  • A scholarship to a Maine community college (up to $2,000 over 2 years)

Since 2003, Embark students have been more likely to both return for their second year and graduate on time than typical community college students. Embark serves Maine students beginning in their junior year of high school and continuing through their second year of community college. If you’re interested in learning more, check with your school counselor or contact an Embark staff member.

What are the eligibility requirements for the program?

To be selected, a student must be:

1. A junior or senior in good standing and a responsible member of the school community;
2. A Maine resident for at least one year before entering the first year at a Maine community college;
3. Upon acceptance into college, able to attend college full time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) for consecutive semesters in a program of study; and
4. Able to do college-level work, but uncertain of college plans.

In addition, schools may take into consideration a student’s financial need and whether that student would be the first family member to attend college.

What’s the timeline for selecting program participants and scholarship recipients?

We ask schools to list the juniors who will participate in the spring and to decide which seniors will receive the scholarship by April 15.

How does my school work with the Embark staff assigned to our students?

Your school provides a contact—usually a school counselor or the student services director—to coordinate with the Embark staff and ensure that students meet with the program at school on the days when meetings are scheduled.

Are there other expectations of the high schools that participate in Embark?

We ask schools to identify students in their junior year and give us two to three times the number of students we have scholarships for.

Schools invite students to participate in the program. However, if you are interested, you should contact your high school or CTE counselor’s office. To qualify, you must be at least a junior attending a school that is partnering with Embark. You must be on track to graduate with your class and be “in good standing.” You must be a Maine resident and have not (yet) made plans for college. In choosing applicants, schools may consider financial need and whether students would be the first in their family to go to college.

See your school counselor to complete the quick and easy application and then have it signed by your parent or guardian.

Education or training beyond high school gives you more choices and opportunities in the job market as well as higher earning power. A Maine community college is an affordable, accessible option for college that will prepare you for a career or for transfer to a four-year college or university. Of Maine’s community college graduates, 92 percent land jobs or continue their education. It’s real education for real life.

Scholarship students receive $500 per semester: up to $2,000 for a two-year program or $1,000 for a one-year program. Scholarship funds can be used for community college tuition and fees, books, and on-campus housing. Scholarship funds are applied to a student’s college account.

Each school that participates in the Embark program is able to nominate a number of participants to receive a community college scholarship. Your school will notify you if you have been selected. Scholarships are awarded to nominees who 1) have filed for federal financial aid (Embark will help with this), 2) are accepted into a Maine community college program of study for the fall term following high school graduation, and 3) enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester for consecutive semesters.

Embark staff help you and your parent or guardian complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Filing this application as soon as possible after October 1 makes it possible for you to be considered for a number of types of financial aid, including the Maine State Grant.