College Credit for High School Students

On Course for College

High school students with a GPA of 2.7 or higher may earn college credit through courses at Central Maine Community College while completing high school requirements.

Benefits of On-Course for College

• Earn up to 12 college credits per year from freshman to senior year at an approved public high school in Maine, or home school with letter of intent.
• Enhance your learning experience.
• Become familiar with the college environment.
• Freshmen and sophomores qualify for waived tuition at Central Maine Community College; you pay only for fees and textbooks (see the On Course for College Application for all fees). Juniors and seniors pay only for textbooks.
• Take any college course offered through Central Maine Community College as long as it meets the following requirements:
  • High school or home school official’s approval
  • Student has met course prerequisites (see College Catalog for course prerequisites)
  • Available space in the course
  • Not a remedial course; these courses do not result in college credit
• Students may participate in the On Course Nursing track, allowing them to start clinical rotations their first semester at Central Maine Community College.

Application & Payment for On-Course for College Courses

Complete the On Course for College Application. Applications are welcome when fall and spring semester registration opens for non-matriculated and new students. Please see the Current Academic Calendar  for these dates.

Other Important On-Course for College Information

• Students will receive a confirmation of course registration containing their Student ID number, course schedule, course location, professor’s name, and required textbook(s) through the College Store. Disregard what looks like a bill; course fees have been received if the student has received this packet.
• Students are responsible for obtaining an official transcript from CMCC after their course ends, posting grades to high school, buying required textbooks, and other academic tasks.

Embark

The Embark program is designed to help high school students who are undecided about their future learn more about college. Students in this program start their junior year of high school and continue through their second year of community college.  Participants from over 80 Maine high schools receive academic support and guidance and are eligible to enroll in college classes while in high school. Participants are also eligible for scholarships of up to $2,000 to a Maine community college. This program allows individuals:

• The chance to take a free college course in the senior year of high school
• Help with applying to college and completing financial aid forms
• One-on-one support and advising in high school and college
• Scholarships to a Maine community college (up to $2,000 over 2 years)

To learn more about the Embark Program, visit the Embark page on the Maine Community College System website.

Other Ways to Earn College Credit in High School

You don’t have to be a part of On Course for College or Embark to earn college credit! Here are a few other ways you can easily earn credit. To learn more about any of these options, contact the Office of Admissions!

Earning Credit Toward a Central Maine Community College Degree

• Tech Prep and Advanced Standing (Articulation Agreements): We have formal agreements with a wide range of high schools, tech centers, and adult learning centers throughout Maine and New England. Students attending these may participate in designated classes and receive college credit for their work, if they choose to attend Central Maine Community College. There is no pre-registration process for the student. However, students who participate in these classes must fill out and submit the Request for Tech/Prep Advanced Placement Credit form after the coursework is complete to receive credit. Interested students should contact the Office of Admissions and/or their high school guidance counselors for complete details.

Earning Transferable College Credit

No post-registration form is required for the dual or concurrent enrollment student to receive credit at Central Maine Community College. Credit earned may be transferred to other colleges or universities at the request of the student; students should consult their college of interest to ensure transferability. See Transferring from CMCC for information on how to request an official academic transcript. Students participating in these classes will be registered as a CMCC student and will be issued a student ID number and login information to CMConnect.

• Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment students can take any course at CMCC, taught by CMCC faculty, as long as the student has permission, meets all prerequisites, and the course has space. Students interested in Dual Enrollment are strongly encouraged to review the On Course For College information at the top of this page and see if they are eligible, as it results in free tuition. Contact the Office of Admissions to learn more. All other students may earn college credit by registering for courses at standard tuition and fee rates.

To register for a course as a non-matriculated student, please carefully read and fill out the Course Registration Form.

• Concurrent Enrollment: Students at schools with Concurrent Enrollment Agreements with Central Maine Community College can take specific college courses, during their high school day, taught by high school faculty. These courses are at no cost to the student. After reviewing our Concurrent Enrollment Agreements, if you feel any of your high school courses may be eligible, please contact your high school instructors or guidance counselor.