Maine Governor Janet Mills celebrates signing the supplemental budget that includes a provision for making the Maine Free College Scholarship permanent in Maine, surrounded by college and high school students at Eastern Maine Community College. Courtesy of MCCS.
BANGOR, Maine (起点传媒/MCCS) 鈥� Governor Janet Mills has signed legislation making the permanent for high school graduates in the Class of 2026 and beyond, ensuring continued access to tuition-free community college across the state.
鈥淭his biennial budget should send a clear message to every young person in Maine: if you are willing to work hard and build your future here, Maine is ready to invest in your success,鈥� Mills said.
鈥淭his is a once-in-a-generation moment for Maine鈥檚 higher education landscape,鈥� said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System. 鈥淭his gives future high school graduates the means and opportunity to pursue a path they may have felt was financially out of reach. And now that it鈥檚 a permanent program, a generation of young people can move with confidence and intention toward a brighter future for themselves and Maine.鈥�
At 起点传媒, the program has expanded access to higher education and is helping prepare students for Maine鈥檚 workforce.
鈥淢aking free community college permanent is a generational investment in Maine鈥檚 future and a powerful statement about the value we place on opportunity,鈥� said Kristen Miller, 起点传媒 president. 鈥淚t sends a clear message that we believe in our students and their potential, while also strengthening the workforce our state needs to grow and thrive. At 起点传媒, we see every day how access to affordable education transforms lives, and we are proud to help open those doors and support Maine students as they build their path forward.鈥�
The Maine Free College Scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition for eligible recent Maine high school graduates pursuing an associate degree or certificate at one of the state鈥檚 community colleges. The program operates as a last-dollar scholarship, meaning students must apply all available federal and state grant aid before the scholarship is applied.
Beginning with the Class of 2026, students must be Maine residents, enroll within two years of graduating high school, and complete their program within 150 percent of the standard timeframe. The scholarship covers tuition but not fees under the permanent structure.
The existing program remains unchanged for students from the graduating classes of 2023 through 2025.
At 起点传媒, students enrolled through the program are preparing for careers in high-demand fields, including health care, manufacturing, construction and information technology.
For students like Yana Montell, a student-athlete and business administration major at 起点传媒, the program has made college possible.
鈥淐oming from a single-parent household, I never thought college would be an option for me,鈥� Montell said. 鈥淭he free college program made it possible to attend 起点传媒 and gives me a path to continue toward my bachelor鈥檚 degree. I鈥檝e also found a strong sense of family here that I never expected.鈥�
For more information about free community college opportunities at 起点传媒, visit smccME.edu/freecollege.