Early College FAQ

Concurrent enrollment and dual enrollment are synonymous, both referring to college courses that high school students can take to earn credit toward both their high school diploma and college transcript. In Maine, “concurrent enrollment” is now the preferred term. Concurrent enrollment courses are offered at local high schools and taught by qualified instructors, following the same curriculum as equivalent UMPI courses.

On-campus courses are offered on the UMPI campus in Presque Isle and require students to attend in person. Online courses are offered through Brightspace, our Learning Management System, and do not require students to come to campus.

Courses taken at any University of Maine System campus are guaranteed to transfer within the System. If a course does not transfer as an exact equivalent, it will count as elective credit. However, we cannot guarantee transferability to institutions outside the University of Maine System. To ensure transfer eligibility, please consult an admissions counselor at your intended school.

If you qualify for 12 free credit hours of early college classes – as a public high school student in Maine, a non-tuition-paying student, or a documented homeschool student – you will be responsible for paying any additional credits beyond this limit at the discounted early college rate. This rate may vary year-to-year, so please refer to the Student Handbook on our website, email us, or consult your school counselor for the most up-to-date information.

If you are a tuition-paying high school student in Maine or an unregistered homeschool student, you must pay the early college rate for every credit hour you take.

As a public high school student in Maine, a non-tuition-paying student, or a documented homeschool student, you are eligible for up to 12 free credit hours per academic year at any institution within the University of Maine System or the Maine Community College System. This benefit applies from the Summer term through the Spring term.