8/25/26 Newsletter

Welcome Back!

We hope you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the new school year. We are excited to continue working with you to provide Early College opportunities for students across Maine.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the important role you play in helping students explore college courses, navigate the application process, and have a successful Early College experience. We appreciate all that you do to make these opportunities possible for our shared students.

We have included several important gentle reminders, updates, and resources below to help you get the year off to a great start.

In this Issue:

  • ExplorEC Portal and Application Deadlines
  • AP4ME Courses Still Available
  • Lifetime Credit Limit and Self-Pay Rates
  • Highlighted Resources
  • Drop/Withdrawal Reminder
  • UMS Early College Website Resource Links

ExplorEC Portal and Application Deadlines

New counselors must request access to the ExplorEC Portal using the Access Request Form.

The deadline for completed applications is always 1 week before the semester/session start date, regardless of whether there are spots available. Completed applications for full-semester fall courses were due yesterday, August 24. We cannot make exceptions for incomplete or late applications. Applications that are not completed by the deadline will be marked “Late Application” in the ExplorEC Portal and will NOT be processed for enrollment.

We will begin accepting applications for spring semester courses on November 6th.

Visit the ExplorEC Portal Page for registration information, application deadlines, and semester course limits.

AP4ME Courses Still Available

Courses now start Monday, September 14, not August 31.

The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, September 8.

  • AP Human Geography (new)
  • AP European History (new)
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Spanish Language and Culture.

The following courses are full: AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC.

For more information about the AP4ME Program, please contact Jamie Whittemore by emailing AP4ME@maine.edu or calling (401) 859-1201.

Lifetime Credit Limit and Self-Pay Rates

The 18-credit lifetime limit applies to Aspirations-funded coursework for students in the Class of 2027 and beyond. The former 12-credit annual limit has been eliminated. There is no annual limit.  

Students who exceed the lifetime credit limit or do not qualify for Aspirations funding may continue taking Early College courses at the self-pay rate. Beginning this fall, the self-pay rate for online and on-campus courses is $155 per credit hour. The concurrent enrollment rate is $60 per credit hour.

Students are responsible for course-specific fees and materials, including lab fees, travel/housing fees, materials or supplies fees, and access-code fees. Learn more on the Tuition and Fees Page.

Highlighted Resources

Please bookmark our Early College Website as well as our Step-By-Step Guide for Students.

Our step-by-step guide walks students through the Early College process from start to finish with sections on how to get started, how to prepare for their course, how to navigate their course, dropping/withdrawing from their course, and getting their grades/transcripts.

We have updated “Step 4: Application Statuses and Checking Your Email”. It now includes an application status flow chart,  student-friendly explanations of what each status means, and important information about checking email. Students can also download an accessible Application Status Workflow PDF and follow the link to Application Status Definitions & Corresponding Student Emails to see the actual emails they will receive associated with each status.

Drop/Withdrawal Reminder

If a student decides not to continue with a course, they must submit a drop/withdrawal request through ExplorEC. Telling a counselor, instructor, or Early College office, or simply stopping attendance, does not drop or withdraw the student from the course.

Step 11: Need to Drop or Withdraw from a Course? includes information about drop/withdrawal deadlines, a video tutorial, step-by-step instructions for submitting a request in ExplorEC, and information about automated emails related to drop requests.g into their ExplorEC account and click on the “Notes” tile to access them directly.

UMS Early College Website Resource Links

Have Questions?

Contact Christy Alley by phone or text at 207-814-8567 or by email at earlycollegeadvising@maine.edu.

Welcome Back!

We hope you had a wonderful summer. We are excited to continue providing Early College (EC) opportunities for home educated students across Maine.

As a home educating family, you play an important role in helping your student explore college courses, navigate the application process, and prepare for a successful EC experience. We appreciate the time and support you provide as your student explores these opportunities.

We have included several gentle reminders, important updates, and helpful resources below as we head into the fall semester.

In this Issue:

  • ExplorEC Portal and Application Deadlines
  • AP4ME Courses Still Available
  • Lifetime Credit Limit and Self-Pay Rates
  • Highlighted Resources
  • Drop/Withdrawal Reminder
  • UMS Early College Website Resource Links

ExplorEC Portal and Application Deadlines

The deadline for completed applications is always 1 week before the semester/session start date, regardless of whether there are spots available. Completed applications for full-semester fall courses were due yesterday, August 24. We cannot make exceptions for incomplete or late applications. Applications that are not completed by the deadline will be marked “Late Application” in the ExplorEC Portal and will NOT be processed for enrollment.

We will begin accepting applications for spring semester courses on November 6th.

Visit the ExplorEC Portal Page for registration information, application deadlines, and semester course limits.

AP4ME Courses Still Available

Courses now start Monday, September 14, not August 31.

The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, September 8.

  • AP Human Geography (new)
  • AP European History (new)
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Spanish Language and Culture.

The following courses are full: AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC.

For more information about the AP4ME Program, please contact Jamie Whittemore by emailing AP4ME@maine.edu or calling (401) 859-1201.

Lifetime Credit Limit and Self-Pay Rates

The 18-credit lifetime limit applies to Aspirations-funded coursework for students in the Class of 2027 and beyond. The former 12-credit annual limit has been eliminated. There is no annual limit.  

Students who exceed the lifetime credit limit or do not qualify for Aspirations funding may continue taking Early College courses at the self-pay rate. Beginning this fall, the self-pay rate for online and on-campus courses is $155 per credit hour. The concurrent enrollment rate is $60 per credit hour.

Students are responsible for course-specific fees and materials, including lab fees, travel/housing fees, materials or supplies fees, and access-code fees. Learn more on the Tuition and Fees Page.

Highlighted Resources

Please bookmark our Early College Website as well as our Step-By-Step Guide for Students.

Our step-by-step guide walks students through the Early College process from start to finish with sections on how to get started, how to prepare for their course, how to navigate their course, dropping/withdrawing from their course, and getting their grades/transcripts.

We have updated “Step 4: Application Statuses and Checking Your Email”. It now includes an application status flow chart,  student-friendly explanations of what each status means, and important information about checking email. Students can also download an accessible Application Status Workflow PDF and follow the link to Application Status Definitions & Corresponding Student Emails to see the actual emails they will receive associated with each status.

Drop/Withdrawal Reminder

If a student decides not to continue with a course, they must submit a drop/withdrawal request through ExplorEC. Telling a counselor, instructor, or Early College office, or simply stopping attendance, does not drop or withdraw the student from the course.

Step 11: Need to Drop or Withdraw from a Course? includes information about drop/withdrawal deadlines, a video tutorial, step-by-step instructions for submitting a request in ExplorEC, and information about automated emails related to drop requests.g into their ExplorEC account and click on the “Notes” tile to access them directly.

UMS Early College Website Resource Links

Have Questions?

Contact Christy Alley by phone or text at 207-814-8567 or by email at earlycollegeadvising@maine.edu.

Welcome Back!

We hope you had a wonderful summer. We are excited to welcome students and families back for another fall semester of Early College (EC) opportunities across Maine.

Whether you are returning to Early College or taking your first college course, we are here to help you navigate the process and have a successful EC experience. Families also play an important role in supporting students as they explore college courses and take on the responsibilities that come with being a college student.

We have included several gentle reminders, important updates, and helpful resources below as we head into the fall semester.

In this Issue:

  • ExplorEC Portal and Application Deadlines
  • AP4ME Courses Still Available
  • Lifetime Credit Limit and Self-Pay Rates
  • Highlighted Resources
  • Drop/Withdrawal Reminder
  • UMS Early College Website Resource Links

ExplorEC Portal and Application Deadlines

The deadline for completed applications is always 1 week before the semester/session start date, regardless of whether there are spots available. Completed applications for full-semester fall courses were due yesterday, August 24. We cannot make exceptions for incomplete or late applications. Applications that are not completed by the deadline will be marked “Late Application” in the ExplorEC Portal and will NOT be processed for enrollment.

We will begin accepting applications for spring semester courses on November 6th.

Visit the ExplorEC Portal Page for registration information, application deadlines, and semester course limits.

AP4ME Courses Still Available

Courses now start Monday, September 14, not August 31.

The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, September 8.

  • AP Human Geography (new)
  • AP European History (new)
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Spanish Language and Culture.

The following courses are full: AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus BC.

For more information about the AP4ME Program, please contact Jamie Whittemore by emailing AP4ME@maine.edu or calling (401) 859-1201.

Lifetime Credit Limit and Self-Pay Rates

The 18-credit lifetime limit applies to Aspirations-funded coursework for students in the Class of 2027 and beyond. The former 12-credit annual limit has been eliminated. There is no annual limit.  

Students who exceed the lifetime credit limit or do not qualify for Aspirations funding may continue taking Early College courses at the self-pay rate. Beginning this fall, the self-pay rate for online and on-campus courses is $155 per credit hour. The concurrent enrollment rate is $60 per credit hour.

Students are responsible for course-specific fees and materials, including lab fees, travel/housing fees, materials or supplies fees, and access-code fees. Learn more on the Tuition and Fees Page.

Highlighted Resources

Please bookmark our Early College Website as well as our Step-By-Step Guide for Students.

Our step-by-step guide walks students through the Early College process from start to finish with sections on how to get started, how to prepare for their course, how to navigate their course, dropping/withdrawing from their course, and getting their grades/transcripts.

We have updated “Step 4: Application Statuses and Checking Your Email”. It now includes an application status flow chart,  student-friendly explanations of what each status means, and important information about checking email. Students can also download an accessible Application Status Workflow PDF and follow the link to Application Status Definitions & Corresponding Student Emails to see the actual emails they will receive associated with each status.

Drop/Withdrawal Reminder

If a student decides not to continue with a course, they must submit a drop/withdrawal request through ExplorEC. Telling a counselor, instructor, or Early College office, or simply stopping attendance, does not drop or withdraw the student from the course.

Step 11: Need to Drop or Withdraw from a Course? includes information about drop/withdrawal deadlines, a video tutorial, step-by-step instructions for submitting a request in ExplorEC, and information about automated emails related to drop requests.g into their ExplorEC account and click on the “Notes” tile to access them directly.

UMS Early College Website Resource Links

Have Questions?

Contact Christy Alley by phone or text at 207-814-8567 or by email at earlycollegeadvising@maine.edu.

The University of Maine

The University of Maine at Augusta

University of Maine at Farmington

University of Maine at Fort Kent

The University of Maine at Machias

The University of Maine at Presque Isle

University of Southern Maine

University of Maine School of Law

The University of Maine

The University of Maine at Augusta

University of Maine at Farmington (UMF

The University of Maine at Farmington

The University of Maine at Fort Kent

The University of Maine at Machias

The University of Maine at Presque Isle

The University of Southern Maine

The University of Maine School of Law