FREE COLLEGE
IS HERE
Pay ZERO tuition if you’re a recent high school graduate in Maine.
Don’t miss out on the Maine Free College Scholarship. If you graduated from high school since 2023, enroll now and receive free tuition at any of Maine’s community colleges. Learn a trade, prepare to transfer, and participate in lots of hands-on, practical training to learn the skills you need for the job you want. Choose from hundreds of programs.
Enroll part-time or full-time in any certificate or degree program.
What is the Free College Scholarship?
The Maine Free College Scholarship makes community college even more affordable. If you earned a high school diploma or its equivalent since 2023, you qualify for the scholarship. For 2023-2025 graduates, the scholarship covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees; for the Class of 2026 and beyond, it covers 100% of tuition. That’s a savings of almost $3,000 a year! Here’s how it works.
Who is eligible for a Free College Scholarship?
If you graduated high school (or earned the equivalent such as the Hi-SET) since 2023 – you’re automatically considered for the scholarship. It’s that simple. There are no income or age limits. All you have to do is be a Maine resident and live here while enrolled, pursue a degree or certificate program, and accept any state or federal aid you qualify for before the scholarship is applied. That’s it – you’re in!
What does the Free College Scholarship cover?
For graduates in 2023, 2024, and 2025, it covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees, after federal and state grant aid has been applied. For graduates in 2026 and beyond, it will cover 100% of tuition. Students qualifying for maximum federal and state grant aid will have additional grant funds available to cover books, supplies, and other related educational expenses.
Sounds good to me! How do I sign up?
Apply – or just fill out the form at the top of the page. We’ll assign you an advisor who will work with you to fill out an application, complete your financial aid application (aka the FAFSA), and pick out a program. We can do it over the phone, on Zoom, or in person. Whatever you need, we’ll help you get there.
Get Started
For high school graduates:
Interested in becoming a student?
Fill out our quick and easy online application.
Accepted but not registered?
Sign up for a New Student Advising session.
Currently an SMCC student?
Browse and register for classes today.
Please note:
- If you have already applied and are waiting to hear back regarding your acceptance, you do not need to apply again to be considered for the Free College Scholarship. We will provide more information about Free College when we send your acceptance materials.
Free College FAQs
Have questions about Free College? Browse these FAQs to find the answers you need.
HOW DO I APPLY?
When you apply, you are automatically considered for the scholarship. There’s no scholarship application you need to fill out. Just go ahead and apply to get started. Apply to SMCC now.
Here is a flyer that explains the steps and how Free College works.
WHAT CAN I STUDY?
Our most popular programs are in health care, the trades, and business – but you have many choices. Study online or in-person, in a degree or certificate program. Browse programs.
DO I HAVE TO BE A MAINE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE?
No, you just have to be a Maine resident and live in Maine while enrolled in college.
WHAT IF I CAN’T ENROLL RIGHT AWAY? CAN I ENROLL LATER?
Yes, but there’s a limit. Find your enrollment deadline here:
-2023 grads – Enroll no later than Summer 2026
-2024 grads – Enroll no later than Summer 2027
-2025 grads – Enroll no later than Summer 2028
-2026 grads – Enroll no later than Summer 2029
I STILL DON’T THINK I CAN AFFORD COLLEGE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
It may be more affordable than you think – let us help. You have plenty of options to help cover any additional costs that are getting in the way of your education. Just fill out the form above and an advisor will reach out to help you understand all the options.
WHAT IS THE FAFSA AND HOW DO I COMPLETE IT?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s the online form used by all schools to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid. It been simplified in recent years and most people complete in in under 30 minutes! To start, go to FAFSA.gov. If you need help, go to FAMEmaine.com/fafsa where you’ll find online resources and a link to free FAFSA Help sessions.
HOW LONG DOES THE FREE SCHOLARSHIP LAST?
Eligible students from the graduating classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 have up to 200% of program time to access the scholarship – or four years of access in a two-year associate degree program. Graduates in the Class of 2026 and beyond have access for up to 150% of time, or three years of access in a two-year associate degree program.
DO I HAVE TO GO FULL-TIME?
No, but studies show that full-time students do better academically, so we encourage attending full-time. But we understand that isn’t always possible. We’ll work with you to keep you on track.
Southern Maine Community College is…
START HERE. GO ANYWHERE.
Launch Your Career
SMCC graduates have started their careers at top-notch employers like:
- Bath Iron Works
- Goodwill Industries
- Hannaford
- IDEXX
- Maine Medical Center
- L.L.Bean
- Texas Instruments
- Pratt & Whitney
- WCSH6
- TD Bank
- WEX
Continue Your Education
SMCC graduates have used our transfer agreements to continue their education at:
- Johnson & Wales University
- Maine College of Art
- Mount Holyoke College
- Saint Joseph’s College
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Thomas College
- University of Maine
- University of New England
- University of Southern Maine
- Wellesley College
Have questions?
Admissions: 207-741-5807 or smccadmissions@mainecc.edu