AUGUSTA – Maine adults who have been out of school at least a year may qualify to receive two tuition-free courses at a Maine Technical College in the Associate in Arts Program, a liberal arts transfer program in partnership with The University of Maine System.

The Maine Technical College System offers an unlimited number of Osher Scholarships for all qualified applicants who apply between April 30 and May 11, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community college.

The scholarship is made possible by a $1 million gift to the Maine Technical College System by The Bernard Osher Foundation.

The gift was matched by the state, creating a $2 million endowed fund. The foundation specified that scholarships be used to support students enrolled in programs developed under the Community College Partnership, a joint initiative of the Maine Technical College System and the University of Maine System.

The Osher Foundation approved an additional gift of $500,000 to the technical college system in March to supplement the endowed scholarship fund. The gift must be matched by the system and is expected to fund an additional 120 scholarships each year.

John Fitzsimmons, Maine Technical College System president, said, “Our goal is to reach out to those who have been out of school for a while and want a college degree but have hesitated because of cost. We hope this unique opportunity – unlimited scholarships for anyone who qualifies – will motivate many Maine adults to act now and take that important first step toward a college degree.”

The Technical College System conducted a study this winter that showed at least 90,000 Maine adults without a college degree have a strong interest in earning one. The study also showed that cost and finances were primary barriers to college education.

The combined fund will support 245 scholarships each year and the technical colleges will back additional scholarships for eligible applicants who apply during the period April 30-May 11. Leftover scholarships will be available after that period on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Osher Scholarship has a value of $408 for two three-credit courses. Students pay for fees and books.

The Associate in Arts transfer program was launched in the fall of 1999 and is a standard offering of community colleges. The program provides the core general education requirements for most bachelor’s degree programs and for associate degree career programs.

Applicants must be Maine residents, may not have attended high school or college within the year preceding the fall term, or have accumulated more than 24 college credits. Also, applicants must apply and qualify for the Associate in Arts Program.