Tuition & Cost

Tuition and Cost

1. For Maine students attending Maine public high schools, state-approved independent institutions, or state-registered home schools: A maximum of twelve (12) credits can be covered by Department of Education funding per year. Students interested in taking more credits than those approved by the Department of Education may do so, but will be charged an Early College tuition rate for any credits over the maximum of twelve (12) annually. Eligibility guidelines are determined by the Maine Department of Education. In addition, students may only have up to eighteen (18) credits covered, during their entire high school career.
2. For Maine Students who pay tuition to any high school in Maine: Students may take courses at the new Early College rate. For the 2024-2025 academic year, students will pay a discounted tuition of $149 per credit compared to the standard rate of $260 per credit for in-state undergraduate students.
3. For Out of State Students (including International): The program allows high school students from out-of-state (non-Maine residents) to take college courses. Out-of-state students pay a discounted rate of $149 /credit hour. Students will choose out-of-state as their high school in the ExplorEC portal.
4. For University of Maine at Fort Kent Early College Students: It is important to note that because you are not subject to mandatory fees, you do not have access to the Rec Center, campus recreation (e.g., intramural sports, sports clubs, Outdoor Adventure Center), public transit, university-sponsored student activities, athletic events (i.e., student tickets).

Additional Information

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 (current sophomores), qualified students may earn a lifetime total of 18 tuition-free credits. The annual maximum on tuition-free enrollment remains at 12 credits.

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. Students will be billed at the Early College tuition rate(s) established by the University of Maine System at $149 per credit hour.

Students are responsible for any course-specific fees and materials (e.g. lab fees, travel/housing fees if needed, textbooks or lab kits, access-code fees for textbooks, etc.). These fees are course-specific.