Early Study–Aspirations Program

What is Early Study–Aspirations at USM?

Early Study–Aspirations is a fall and spring semester academic enrichment program for qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses (online courses excluded) at the University of Southern Maine. The program is intended to provide students with the opportunity to enrich their high school experience and to help them supplement, not supplant, their academic endeavors.

Who Is Eligible to Participate in the Early Study–Aspirations Program?

Students must meet the following conditions in order to apply

• the recommendation of their guidance counselor
• be a junior or senior
• be at least 16 years of age at the start of the semester
• have an overall "B" average at the start of the requested semester
• be enrolled in a Maine public high school or an approved secondary private school*

*Students attending one of the state approved private schools must attach the Verification of Public Funding form to their application.

Advantages of Being in the Early Study–Aspirations Program:

• earn college credit
• enhance your learning experience
• become familiar with the college setting (online courses will not be covered)
• qualify for tuition reduction

What Courses May a Student Take as Part of Early Study–Aspirations at USM?

Students may take any course for which they have university and guidance counselor/homeschool official's approval, as long as space is available and all prerequisites have been satisfied.

Courses are made available online in October/November for the spring semester and March/April for the fall semester in the MaineStreet Class Search. Be sure the desired term is selected. Click on the hyperlinked “Section” of any course to review:

• Course description
• Course prerequisites
• Space availability
• Class time and location

For information on how to use MaineStreet, please read the two PDFs below.

• How to Access MaineStreet to Search for Classes.pdf

• Using MaineStreet's Class Search to Fill out Early Study Aspirations Applications.pdf

How Do Students Apply and Become Registered In Courses?

To Apply:

**Please hand in application materials each semester.**

• Complete the Early Study-Aspirations Applicationwith the following:
  • Requested course(s) and alternate selection(s)
  • Most recent high school level transcript reflecting cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Any supporting SAT/ACT/AP scores needed to meet course prerequisites
  • Any supporting USM Placement Test results (Accuplacer Math Exam)
    • FMI (207) 780-4578
• Return completed application and all documentation to the Program Coordinator at the address listed below by the following dates:
  • For Fall Semester: May 1^st – August 1^st
  • For Spring Semester: December 1^st – December 15^th

  ***The Early Study-Aspirations Program does not include Summer, Winter or online courses.***

  • Students will receive an email acknowledgment shortly after receipt of their application.
  • Students must review the email and submit any needed materials if requested.
  • Students will not be registered at this time. See Getting Registered section below.

Getting Registered: Registration will begin late July or early August (fall semester) and at the end of Decemeber (spring semester). Actual dates will fluctuate each year based on academic schedule.

• If all prerequisites are met and space is available in the class, students will be registered for the course they chose.
• Students will be mailed a packet confirming their course registration, which will include information on activating their USM email account, acquiring a student ID, where to purchase books and payment information. This information packet will NOT include the student's bill.

**Students should not self-register. All class registrations must be done by Amanda Edmonds or Jean Kerrigan in order to recieve the proper tuition waivers.**

What Are the Costs of Participating in the Early Study–Aspirations Program at USM?

Your acceptance to the Early Study–Aspirations Program enables both USM and the Maine Department of Education to provide a reduction in tuition.

The Maine Department of Education will provide:

• A 50% tuition waiver, up to a maximum of 6 credits per academic year which may be taken in one semester or with three (3) credit hours taken in the Fall or Spring semester only.

USM will provide:

• A 50% tuition waiver for a maximum of 2 courses per semester.
  
  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS:

The student is responsible for all mandatory course fees and additional tuition not covered by waivers outlined above. Mandatory fees include, but are not limited to: Transportation fee, Health fee, Unified fee, Student Activity fee and, in some cases, additional course fees.

For information on tuition and fees visit: Student Accounts or contact Cindy DeCosta in the Student Accounts Office at 780-4027 or cdecosta@usm.maine.edu for further explanation of course related expenses. In addition, students can contact their guidance office to explore possible additional funding opportunities.  
 

Who Can I Contact at USM for More Information?

USM has an Early Study–Aspirations advisor at all locations. Their names and contact information are listed below:

Please return all application materials to the coordinator at the following address: 

_{The University of Southern Maine shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veteran's status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the executive director, Office of Campus Diversity and Equity, 780-5094, TTY 780-5646.}