Maine’s plan to provide two years of free community college is going into effect.
The Maine Legislature approved a plan backed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to provide free community college to students who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program applies to high school graduates from the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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The community college system said in a statement that the program also applies to students who recently earned the equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a High School Equivalency Test. It pays for up to two years of tuition and fees at Maine’s seven community colleges after federal and state grant aid has been applied.
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The system said students who qualify for maximum grant aid are allowed to use additional grant money to pay for expenses such as books and supplies.