AUGUSTA, ME— The members of Maine’s high school Class of 2020 got an early graduation gift today – access to free summer courses at Maine’s community colleges.

Maine students who graduate in 2019/2020 are invited to apply for the free online courses. A student taking two free college courses this summer at a Maine community college can save between $2,000 and $7,000 in tuition at a four-year college or university.

“The Class of 2020 has lost a lot this spring, from missing out on proms and traditional graduation ceremonies to a disruption of their college and work plans,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System, in announcing the MCCS Gift to the Class of 2020. “Summer jobs are likely to be in short supply, which makes it hard to earn money to help with college expenses and gain valuable work experience. We hope this can save the Class of 2020 significant time and money in reaching their college and career goals. We can’t replace what they have lost, but we can offer to help them keep moving forward.”

Students interested in getting a head start on their college career will be eligible to choose from online college-level classes in English, math, sciences, languages, psychology, history, digital photography, creative writing, and more.

About 13,000 Maine students will graduate from high school this spring, and about 60 percent – or 8,000 students – are expected to enroll in college this fall. The MCCS Gift to the Class of 2020 is an invitation to all graduates to explore their interests and potential.

Maine’s seven community colleges provide education and training to over 27,000 individuals each year and offer nearly 300 degree and certificate options in over 140 occupational fields. More than 75 percent of those offerings are the only ones of their kind in the state.