Maine Free College Scholarship (Maine Community College System)
Maine Community College System
Free tuition at any of Maine's seven community colleges for Maine residents who finished high school in 2024 or later.
- How much
- 100% of tuition after federal and state grants (class of 2026+); 100% of tuition and mandatory fees (2024 and 2025 graduates)
- Who qualifies
- High school diploma or equivalent earned in 2024 or later; lived in Maine a full year immediately before admission and while enrolled; enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a Maine community college. Need not be a Maine high school graduate.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling admission; must first enroll by the summer three years after high school graduation (class of 2026: Summer 2029).
- How to apply
- Apply to one of Maine's seven community colleges
- You are considered automatically, with no separate scholarship application
- File the FAFSA and accept any state or federal aid you qualify for
- Students who cannot file the FAFSA (e.g., citizenship status) can still qualify by working with the college
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (mccs.me.edu) and page 2
The details
Last-dollar scholarship for students who earned a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., HiSET) in 2024 or later. For the class of 2026 and later it covers 100% of tuition after federal and state grant aid; for 2024 and 2025 graduates it covers 100% of tuition and mandatory fees. Students who qualify for maximum federal and state grant aid keep the leftover grant money for books, supplies and other costs. No income or age limits; full or part time in any certificate or degree program. Must live in Maine for a full year immediately before admission and while enrolled. Enrollment deadlines: 2024 grads by Summer 2027, 2025 grads by Summer 2028, 2026 grads by Summer 2029. Duration: class of 2026+ up to 150% of program time (three years for a two-year associate degree); 2024-2025 grads up to 200% (four years).
More money from Maine
- Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarshipup to 50% of cost of attendance or $25,000 per year, whichever is less
- Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP)up to $10,000 per year full time; up to $5,000 per year part time
- Maine State Grant Programup to $2,500 per year (2026-27); up to $1,250 for half-time to less-than-full-time students
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: New Hampshire
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.