Gov. Mills Wants to Make Free College For Maine Students Permanent

According to an article from The Maine Wire website, Governor Janet Mills is hoping to make the pandemic-era free college program for Maine graduates permanent.

Governor Janet Mills wants to make free community college a permanent option in Maine, and she is proposing the idea as part of her supplemental state budget.

The program first started during the pandemic and allowed several graduating high school classes to attend Maine’s community colleges without paying tuition or fees. During the program’s first phase, about 6,400 students used the benefit.

Lawmakers considered making the program permanent last year, but the proposal was unanimously rejected in committee before it ever reached the full Legislature. During her State of the State address last month, Mills said she planned to try again to secure the program’s future.

The plan is included in the governor’s broader “Affordability Agenda.” According to the Maine Community College System, maintaining the program would cost the state about $10 million per year, which is $2.5 million less than the current version.

State officials say around 23,000 students have used the program so far, and about 2,000 of those students later transferred to four-year colleges.

Under Mills’ proposal, students would need to live in Maine for at least 12 months before enrolling. The scholarship would also change to cover tuition only, leaving students responsible for fees.

Students would have up to three years to complete a two-year degree, rather than four years under the current program.

The scholarship would also operate as a last-dollar program, meaning students would have to use any available state or federal financial aid first.

David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System, acknowledged the proposed changes were not something the system originally requested. However, he said the adjustments provide a practical path to keep the opportunity available for Maine students while helping the state remain competitive with other states offering free college programs.

Daigler also said the program supports young people looking to advance their careers and helps Maine build a stronger skilled workforce. He added that with strong support across the state, there is hope lawmakers will approve the proposal in time to help this year’s graduating seniors.

Lawmakers are currently reviewing the governor’s supplemental budget in committee before sending a revised version to the House and Senate for a vote. The Legislature is expected to finish its work by April 15, 2026.