The Â鶹APP announces the availability of a completely online financial literacy course for Maine high school students during summer session.  David Leach, a retired Maine State government financial regulatory employee and a UMA Lecturer since 2002, will be the lead instructor.

“The creation of Personal Financial Planning (BUA151), as an online course exclusively for Maine’s high school students provides an opportunity for students to develop strong financial underpinnings as they consider their next steps after high school,” said Rachael Magill, Director of ±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s Early College Program.

“±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s Early College Program has for years provided the opportunity for high school students in Maine to earn college credits, at a reduced tuition rate, before they set foot on a college campus and thereby reducing the overall cost of a college education”, continued Magill.  “This new course is an extension of ±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s efforts to ensure our students are financially knowledgeable as they pursue their future educational and professional goals.”

“This is a ten-week, life changing course which provides the essential information on must-know financial topics for young adults,” said Leach.  “The topics of banking, establishing and maintaining credit, responsible borrowing, personal budgeting, investing and insurance will all be addressed in this online course.”

This weekly three-credit course begins on May 10 and run through July 12 with students taking part in online classes with Leach and a host of other experts in the financial services and regulatory fields. Weekly online quizzes and a final exam will allow students to apply the knowledge they gain in the course to in real-life scenarios.

“This is the course that adults universally believe should be offered to high school students in the United States, and at the Â鶹APP, we have created such a course,” remarked Leach.  “Auto buying and financing, the responsible use of credit cards, the ABC’s of home buying, along with gaining a working understanding of insurance, investing and living within a budget are all essential skill-sets for a productive financial future,” stated Leach.

The class is limited to 75 students. Students interested in registering for the course can contact ±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s Office of Early CollegeĚý˛ąłŮĚýumaearlycollege@maine.edu to learn more and how to apply.

The University of Maine System’s High School Aspirations Program allows high school students to earn both college and high school credits simultaneously. Students may take up to 6 credits per term and pay no tuition and fees.

According to UMA Rockland Director, Deborah Meehan, the UMA Rockland Center welcomes about 60 local high school students each term. Students typically enroll in general education courses which will apply to any college no matter their future plans. Students are encouraged to attend face-to-face classes but some do enroll in online opportunities and other courses offered through distance education technologies.

Meehan noted that recommended Early College courses for the Spring Semester include: Digital Photography, General Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Business Management, Web Applications, Chemistry for the Life Sciences, Public Speaking, College Writing, Intro. to Literature, Creative Writing, US History, Principles of Investigation, Statistics, and Intro. to Psychology.

Interested students are encouraged to meet with their high school guidance counselors to discuss options that meet their curriculum needs. In addition, students are encouraged to explore the program with a University academic advisor at the UMA Rockland Center.

For more information visit uma.edu/earlycollege or call UMA Rockland at 596-6906.

Early College program taught at high school gives students a head start in college career

AUGUSTA–This June four Cony High School students will graduate with more than their high school diploma. Through the Early College program with the Â鶹APP (UMA) four seniors (and one junior) at Cony also received a post-secondary education credential–a Certificate in Computer Information Systems-Cyber Fundamentals Level I. These students were recognized at a special ceremony at the end of May.

Successfully completing the program were Cote Rich, Luc Sirois, Jacob Mills, and Olivia Rheaume, all graduating seniors from Augusta. The Cony junior receiving a Certificate is Gerald Moody, who is eligible to pursue a CIS-Cyber Fundamentals Level II Certificate beginning this fall.

This innovative and collaborative program through UMA and Cony High School allowed Henry Felch, UMA Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Computer Information Systems and Betina Tagle, UMA Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems to teach two college-level courses each semester in nine-week sessions onsite at Cony High School.

“We were excited to bring these courses into the Early College program,” stated UMA Professor Henry Felch. “Cony High School has been a wonderful partner and the students were eager to learn.” Felch continued, “Several have indicated their interest in pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity or CIS.”

To earn the Certificate in CIS-Cyber Fundamentals Level I students completed the following course work: Introduction to Computer Science, Programming Fundamentals, Networking Concepts, and Introduction to Information Security. To be eligible for the UMA Certificate, completed 50% of the required courses through UMA and maintained a Minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in the Certificate course work.

“Opportunities through Early College are an excellent way for high school students to begin earning college credit and reduce the time and cost of a college education,” said Rachael Magill, UMA Director of Early College. “UMA Early College students are not just college ready, they are college proven.”

±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s Early College program allows Maine high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while in high school and earn college credit. The credit earned often can be applied toward a two-year associate or four-year baccalaureate degree. An example of courses includes College Writing, Elementary Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Literature, and US History I.

Depending on the program, high school students can participate in Early College classes in a variety of ways. Some courses are taught through distance learning options, while others are taught in person in the student’s high school or on a UMA Campus or Center.

program incorporates a multidisciplinary perspective through a combination of courses that offer a holistic approach to cybersecurity education by providing the opportunity to take courses not only in computer science and technology but also in the humanities, social sciences, and ethics.

UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.

As part of the awards ceremony, each student received a UMA Early College Scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year. This scholarship will allow the students to continue their studies at UMA after their high school graduation. The following students were among those who received scholarships:

Bucksport High School
Max Astbury-King
Drew Smith

Ellsworth High School
Dawson Bishoff
Devin Grindle
Maria Wagenknecht

Gardiner Area High School
Nicholas Flowers

Lewiston High School
Aleya Caron
Emma Williams

Medomak Valley High School
Julia Bowden

Narraguagus High School
Kaylee Bosse

Sumner Memorial High School
Lydia Gatcomb

Homeschooled
Patrick Carter, Vassalboro
Abigail Story, North Monmouth

±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s Early College program allows Maine high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while in high school and earn college credit. The credit earned often can be applied toward a two-year associates or four-year baccalaureate degree. An example of courses include, College Writing, Elementary Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Literature, and US History I.

In addition to the students and their guests, the high school guidance counselor and principal from the represented high schools were also invited to celebrate this achievement.

The Â鶹APP has invited 53 high school seniors for recognition at an Early College Awards Ceremony on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta. Selected students have completed nine or more Early College credits with UMA and maintained a 2.75 GPA or higher. UMA President Rebecca M. Wyke will address those in attendance and Associate Vice President for Admission Brandy Finck will present the awards.

The invited students represent 15 high schools across Maine and include three home schooled students. ±«˛Ń´ˇâ€™s Early College program allows Maine high school juniors and seniors to take college courses while in high school and earn college credit. The credit earned often can be applied toward a two-year associates or four-year baccalaureate degree. An example of courses taken by students include, College Writing, Elementary Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Literature, and US History I.

As part of the awards ceremony, each student will receive a UMA Early College Scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year. This scholarship allows the students to continue their studies at UMA after their high school graduation.

In additional to the students and their guests, the high school guidance counselor and principal from the represented high schools have been invited to celebrate this achievement.

The invited students attend the following high schools: