Student Resources
Help Paying for Community College
Looking for Scholarships and Supports?
Scholarships and supports to help you start, stay, and succeed in college.
College can open new doors, but we know cost and life logistics can get in the way. This page brings together the Alfond Workforce Scholarship, community college supports, and support programs that help Maine students pay for classes and pay for real-world stuff (childcare, transportation, tools, and more) that make finishing possible.
Start here:
- Explore programs at Maine's community colleges. Before you can use most scholarships and supports, you'll need to be enrolled in a program or class at one of Maine's seven community colleges.
- Enroll at a Maine community college. Applications can be completed online at no cost.
- Fill out an application for the Alfond Workforce Scholarship. Working Mainers are eligible for two 50% off scholarships each semester.
Alfond Workforce Scholarship
Half off tuition for working Mainers pursuing a degree or credential.
Take college classes for half the cost. If you're working and want to earn a certificate or degree, the Harold Alfond Center's Workforce Scholarship can make college more affordable. Many Maine students have some college but no degree - this scholarship is designed to help you return, finish, or start a new path.
What it covers
- 50% off tuition for up to two classes per semester(six per year)
- That equals $212 per course (the equivalent of half of a three-credit course)
- Eligible for any degree or certificate program through Maine's community colleges
- Flexible course options - on campus, online, or hybrid
Who's eligible
- Maine residents who are 18+
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Working at least part-time
- Enrolled (or plan to enroll) less than full-time (under 11 credits per semester)
How to get started
- Enroll in a Maine community college.
- Create or log in to your Upskill Maine account.
- Apply for the Workforce Scholarship in Upskill Maine.
The Harold Alfond Center Workforce Scholarship covers 50% of tuition for a three-credit course, or up to $212 per course. Courses with more than 3 credits may have a higher total cost that is not fully covered by the scholarship. Additional fees, books, and materials are not included.
Already working? Ask your employer about Compact funding.
Your workplace may be able to help pay for additional training.
The Maine Workforce Development Compact helps employers invest in frontline workers' education and training. If your employer is a Compact member, they can cover part of your costs through a simple match program - up to $1,200 per employee per year.
What to do:
- Check with your HR department to see if you employer is a Compact member.
- If they're not, encourage them to join. Membership is free and takes about three minutes.
- Training and professional development can be through Maine's community colleges, through an in-house training, or through a third-party training vendor.
Programs and supports at Maine’s community colleges
Maine’s community colleges offer affordable programs and a variety of services to help students get started and complete their program of study. Services may include academic and career counseling, tutoring, services for students with disabilities, veterans services, childcare, and transfer assistance. Our state programs can help remove financial and life barriers while you work toward a credential or degree.
Maine-Funded Student Supports
From tuition assistance to wraparound services, these state programs can help remove financial and life barriers while you work toward a credential or degree.
Up to $10,000 a year for training in high-wage, in-demand careers
CSSP is a Maine Department of Labor scholarship that helps adult learners train for careers with strong job openings and earning potential.
What it can cover:
Up to $10,000 per year for things like:
- Tuition and fees
- Books, supplies, uniforms, or required equipment
- Mileage/transportation, childcare and in some cases, a stipend while you train
Who it's for:
CSSP generally supports:
- Maine residents 18+ who meet income guidelines
- People without a bachelor’s degree or industry credential
- Students pursuing high-wage, in-demand careers
How to apply:
Apply even if you don't need help yet - CSSP is there for when life happens.
Tuition and supports for parents and caregivers
HOPE is a Maine DHHS program for adults who are raising or caring for a minor child and want to earn a degree or credential; it helps remove barriers so parents and caregivers can succeed in school.
What it can support:
HOPE goes beyond tuition. Depending on your needs, it may help with:
- Tuition and required program costs
- Childcare support
- Transportation (including repairs or passes)
- Tools, equipment, or a laptop needed for school
Who it's for:
- Maine residents without a college degree
- Parents, grandparents, or caregivers of a minor child
How to apply:
- Visit the Maine DHHS HOPE Program webpage, or
- Start with a Maine CareerCenter, where navigators can help you apply.
Career counseling, training funding, and support services
WIOA is a federally funded workforce program that helps Mainers gain skills, training, and access to good jobs.
What it can support:
WIOA can help pay for:
- Short-term training or credential programs
- Career counseling and job search support
- Transportation/mileage and support services during your first months on the job
- Paid work experiences or on-the-job training to try a career before committing
Who it's for:
- Work-authorized Maine residents who need training or help connecting to employment
- Youth (in-school or out-of-school) and adults
How to apply:
Start with your local WIOA provider:
- Aroostook County Action Program, Aroostook County
- Eastern Maine Development Corporation, (Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, or Washington Counties)
- Workforce Solutions, (Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, or York Counties)
Need help choosing what's right for you?
We have a team ready to support you.
There's no wrong door. If you're not sure which option fits, where to start, or want to explore different opportunities, we're here to help.
The Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce coordinates all short-term workforce training programs from Maine's community colleges, working closely with businesses and industry leaders statewide. Launched in 2021, the Alfond Center has served over 47,000 Mainers. A historic $75.5 million, five-and-a-half-year initiative will enable the Center to train an additional 70,505 Mainers by 2030, significantly impacting Maine's workforce and economy through strategic private and public partnerships.