Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 25 : Summer 2015 | Page 64

★ UMPI INCREASING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY W hether it’s providing access to higher education for high school students and working professionals, or hosting unique and fun community events meant to benefit local organizations, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been working hard on several projects and initiatives this spring and summer. The University signed a groundbreaking learning agreement with the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Education, is approved by the Maine Department the spring that established Maine’s fastest and most affordable of Education’s Cer- path to a college diploma. Starting this fall, students attending tification Division. MSSM are able to take advantage of the most comprehensive To be eligible for early-college pathway in Maine, potentially completing enough this opportunity, college-level coursework to earn an Associate’s degree in Liberal candidates Studies from UMPI in addition to a high school diploma. At need to meet  per credit hour, the -credit Associate’s degree could cost several con- students and their families less than $,, a % savings over ditions, in- the traditional cost of a similar course load for Maine residents cluding attending UMPI. having no $ “This dual degree agreement expands upon our existing more than partnership with MSSM and provides MSSM students with an two educa- unparalleled head start on college, a stronger pathway into a tional meth- public university system tha XY