Throughout the evolution of early college initiatives in Maine, the University of Maine at Fort Kent has become a leader in providing quality early college and dual enrollment experiences. What started in the campus’s backyard has expanded to more than half the high schools in the state!
The program focuses on students attending high schools in rural communities throughout Maine and strives to increase academic rigor, provide an affordable pathway to college with opportunities for rural high school students to experience college learning and earn college credits, raise post-secondary aspirations for rural Maine students through specific aspirations programs, and increase high school and university collaboration, efficiency, and alignment.
Early College focuses on a high-touch, student-focused process of student support and service. We believe regular, timely, clear, and responsive communication with students and high school partners is the key to student success. While we strive to provide an authentic college experience, we understand Early College students are still in high school and may need extra support. Therefore, we work closely with our high school partners to support the academic needs of students as well as offer online tutoring and student support services to all Early College students.
Early College is open to high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and homeschooled students in good academic standing at the sophomore, junior, and senior levels. Tuition is free, but students are responsible for the cost of textbooks when required. The Maine Aspirations program allows students to take up to 12 credits per academic year at public colleges and universities.
