Early College

Welcome to the UMPI Early College Program! UMPI provides high school students opportunities to save time and money as they work towards their college degree and enrich their learning experiences while still in high school.  

Through waivers provided by the State of Maine Department of Education Aspirations Program and UMPI, students can earn college credit for free.

Students who are expected to graduate with the Class of 2026 may earn up to 12 credits per academic year, tuition-free.

Starting with the Class of 2027, qualified students may earn a lifetime total of 18 tuition-free credits. Course limits per semester (totals within and across the University of Maine and the Maine Community College Systems):

• Summer : 2 courses, cannot meet during the same shortened session
• Fall: 4 courses
• Spring: 4 courses

For purposes of eligibility and credit totals, the academic year begins on May 1 and ends on April 30. Summer courses count toward the subsequent academic year (e.g. Summer 2025 enrollment is counted toward the 2025/2026 academic year).

All credits, regardless of course location (whether taken at a student’s high school, online, or on campus), are counted toward both the annual and lifetime credit caps. This includes credits earned through Maine’s Public Universities and Maine’s Community Colleges, as well as any courses taken through these institutions at the high school level (e.g., Concurrent Enrollment courses).

Students who exceed the lifetime cap may apply for courses as “Self-Pay” students, but are still held to the semester course limits as stated above. Students will be billed at the Early College tuition rate(s) established separately by the University of Maine System and Maine Community College System.

Students are responsible for course-specific fees and materials (e.g. lab fees, travel/housing fees, materials or supplies fees, access-code fees, etc.).

Courses can be combined across all University of Maine System campuses as well as the Maine Community College System. Students can participate in early college opportunities through Concurrent Enrollment or On-Campus/Online Courses. Students can earn college credit, create a University transcript, and get an early start on their college career.Click on the links to learn more about each opportunity. If you have any questions, or would like to request more information, please contact us by email at umpiearlycollege@maine.edu.

For the most up-to-date policies and information about the University of Maine System’s Early College program, please visit https://www.maine.edu/early-college/.