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Overview

To ensure the program remains a true supplement to high school and college learning—while protecting course access, transferability, and limited public funding—the University of Maine System (UMS) Early College (EC) office sets reasonable limits on credits/courses. These limits reflect state guidance, align with partner institutions, and follow research showing that students gain the full early-college benefit with a small number of credits. Our priority is quality, student success, and long-term sustainability.

Semester Limits

  • Summer: Up to 2 courses; courses cannot meet during the same session.
  • Fall/Spring: Up to 3 courses per semester
  • Eligibility: EC offices have the right to deny enrollment based on a student’s prior academic history and university policies.

Why These Limits Exist

The Early College (EC) program is designed to supplement—not replace—both high school or homeschool curricula and college or university academic programs.

Space in courses is limited; matriculated students register first, so course availability cannot be guaranteed.

The EC program prioritizes high student success and well-supported experiences over the quantity of credits/courses.

The Department of Education discourages excess credits to support transferability and thoughtful, career-aligned course selection; this aligns with UMS EC goals and practices in Maine’s Community College System (MCCS).

Our institutions receive less than 35% of the total tuition and fee cost, and DOE Aspirations funding is limited. The program is heavily subsidized by the state and universities, so UMS EC must ensure fiscal sustainability. Although not required, Maine’s public universities offer a tuition discount for a limited number of credits beyond Aspirations funding.

National research shows students who earn approximately 6 college credits before matriculating benefit from the experience with higher four-year graduation rates, stronger college GPAs, and higher rates of degree persistence. Additional credits do not provide additional benefits.