Maine Free College Scholarship
Maine Free College Scholarship
If you graduated from high school or earned an equivalent credential in 2023 or later, you may be eligible to attend NMCC with ZERO tuition through the Maine Free College Scholarship.
There is no cost to apply to NMCC. Start your application today and find out how the Maine Free College Scholarship can help you build your future.
What Is the Free College Scholarship?
The Maine Free College Scholarship helps make community college more affordable for recent high school graduates and those who earned an equivalent credential such as a GED or HiSET. Eligible students can pursue a certificate or degree at NMCC full-time or part-time, with tuition covered through this last-dollar scholarship.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for the Maine Free College Scholarship if you:
- Earned a high school diploma or equivalent in 2023 or later
- Enroll in an NMCC certificate or degree program, either part-time or full-time
- Complete the FAFSA and accept any eligible federal or state financial aid
Residency Requirement:
- Classes of 2023–2025: Must live in Maine while enrolled
- Class of 2026 and beyond: Must have lived in Maine for at least one full year prior to enrollment and continue to live in Maine while attending
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship is applied after eligible federal and state grant aid.
- Classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025: 100% of tuition and mandatory fees
- Class of 2026 and beyond: 100% of tuition
- Students who qualify for maximum grant aid may have additional funds available for books, supplies, and other related educational expenses
How It Works
Getting started is simple. To use the scholarship, students should:
- Apply to NMCC
- Choose a degree or certificate program
- File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/FAFSA
- Accept any eligible state and federal financial aid
- Maintain Maine residency while enrolled
If you are not eligible to file the FAFSA or cannot complete it, please contact NMCC’s Financial Aid Office.
Flexible Pathways
The scholarship can support more than one credential in certain cases. Students may use it for two stacked one-year certificates or for a certificate and an associate degree when:
- The two certificates are stackable
- The certificate leads into the associate degree
- The two certificates are directly related
Please note: Students cannot earn more than one associate degree under the Free College Scholarship.
Enrollment Time Frames
Students must begin their program within the following time frames:
- Class of 2023: Enroll no later than Summer 2026
- Class of 2024: Enroll no later than Summer 2027
- Class of 2025: Enroll no later than Summer 2028
- Class of 2026: Enroll no later than Summer 2029
2023 through 2025 graduates: Scholarship available up to 200% of program completion time.
2026 graduates and beyond: Scholarship available up to 150% of program completion time.
Need Help with Financial Aid?
The FAFSA is an important step in receiving the Free College Scholarship. Our team is here to help you understand the process and take the next step.