Early College Program FAQ
The Early College program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) provides high school students an incredible opportunity to get a head start on their college education. With this program, students can earn college credits while still in high school, allowing them to explore different subjects, develop essential academic skills, and gain confidence before fully transitioning into college life. This FAQ page is designed to address common questions, offering clear insights into eligibility, the enrollment process, course options, and the many advantages of joining UMPI’s Early College program.
Aspirations courses are courses that you can take that are taught by UMPI faculty through the UMPI campus. You are can take up to six credits tuition free per academic semester. Dual-Credit are courses taught at high schools by UMPI-approved high school teachers. These courses cost $15/academic credit. They count towards your high school diploma AND towards the University of Maine at Presque Isle transcript. You can take Aspirations through the Presque Isle campus, Houlton Center or Online. Dual-Credit is taken through your high school.
Dual-Degree allows the opportunity for students at MSSM to earn up to two years worth of college credit, and even an Associate’s degree for specific high school courses that they take. Dual-Credit are courses taught at high schools by UMPI-approved high school teachers. These courses cost $15/academic credit. They count towards your high school diploma AND towards the University of Maine at Presque Isle transcript.
Early College saves you time and money! The more classes that you take in high school for college, the less you have to take later. You receive a very large discount by taking early college courses and you can get college classes out of the way. To put it in a little more in perspective, take this example: the cost for a Maine Resident at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is $220 per credit; the cost for a high school student enrolled in a dual-credit course pays $15 per credit. That’s a $205 per credit savings.
Courses that you take through UMPI will transfer to all other University of Maine System institutions, as well as to nearly all private colleges. For specifics, talk to your guidance counselor.
UMPI dual credit courses will transfer to all of the following UMS Institutions:
University of Maine
University of Southern Maine
University of Maine at Farmington
University of Maine at Augusta
University of Maine at Machias
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Simply put, no. Participating in Early College will not affect your sports eligibility while you’re in college.
Billing
For Dual-Credit, parents will receive a bill of $15/credit. There is no bill for Aspirations students.
Dual-Credit/Dual-Degree: Payment is coordinated through the Guidance Department at your high school. You will make a check out to the University of Maine at Presque Isle for the amount that is due and the Guidance Department will collect your payment.
Please contact Student Financial Services in Preble Hall or at (207) 768-9510 if your bill is incorrect.
Registration
Aspirations
You will sign up for Aspirations courses through your guidance counselor.
Yes, you can take an Aspirations courses regardless of your location as we offer courses on-site in Presque Isle, at the Houlton Center and online.
Yes! You only need to pay for your textbook.
You can take up to 6 credits per semester through the Aspirations program.
You can take any academic course for which you have met the course prerequisites as long as there is space available.
You need to sign up for your classes during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.
To drop/withdraw from a course, please contact Lisa SMith at (207) 768-9581 or via email at lisa.m.smith@maine.edu. Please be aware of the add/drop and withdrawal dates during the semester.
You have to be a junior or senior in good academic standing in order to take Aspirations courses.
Dual-Credit
Classes offered to high school students through UMPI cost $15 per credit. The course credit fee and any applicable textbook costs are the responsibility of the student.
That’s up to you; there is no limit to the number of Dual-Credit courses you can take.
You need to sign up for your classes during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.
To drop/withdraw from a course, please contact your guidance counselor. Please be aware of the add/drop and withdrawal dates during the semester.
No! You can take dual-credit classes as a freshman.
Dual-Degree
Currently we only have a Dual-Degree program with the Maine School of Science and Mathematics.
Miscellaneous
If your student is taking dual-credit courses, you can talk with their high school teacher about their grades. If your student is in Aspirations courses, in order for you to get information about their grades your student must complete one of our FERPA consent forms, located at https://www.umpi.edu/offices/student-records/confidentiality-ferpa/.
Yes! As an Early College student you can attend any campus event with the exception of UMPI dances. Most events are free and open to the public.
You can purchase your textbooks right through the campus store online.
You have all the same services available to you as a traditional UMPI students. These include: tutoring, the Writing Center, and Student Support Services.
There are a number of locations around town where you can get discounts by presenting your Student ID. These Include:
Big Cheese Pizza – Free Big Stix with pizza order
Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill – 1/2 off lift tickets
UMPI Outing Club – Free equipment rental; email amanda.g.baker@maine.edu
Presque Isle Skating Rink at The Forum – Free admission
Northern Lanes – Free Bowling every Friday
Sandwhich Shop – 10% discount
Arby’s – 10% discount
Pizza Hut – 15% discount
*all subject to change without notice
You can park for free in any of our Visitor parking lots. However, if you would like to park in Student parking without receiving a ticket you will need to go to the Emerson Annex to fill out the appropriate paperwork and pay $10 for your parking sticker (which is good for one academic year).
If you would like to schedule a tutoring appointment, please contact our Tutor Coordinator at UMPI Shawn Haskell by emailing shawn.haskell@maine.edu. We can set up tutoring appointments via Skype, Google Hangouts, or over the phone.
Staff
Teri St. Pierre
- Location
- South Hall
- Phone
- (207) 768-9574
- teri.st@maine.edu
Heidi St. Peter
- Location
- Admissions Suite
- Phone
- 207-768-9547
- heidi.stpeter@maine.edu