Homeschool benefits and savings in South Portland

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) dual enrollment lets a Maine registered homeschool student take college courses with tuition and fees waived, up to 12 credits a year, worth $1,152 at SMCC's $96 per-credit rate. Starting with the class of 2027, each student has a lifetime limit of 18 free credits, and you as the homeschool parent give both the permission and the academic recommendation.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Maine

   Dual enrollment is for Maine residents who are public high school juniors or seniors or who are homeschooled in accordance with Maine law.

2. Is a registered homeschool student

   SMCC extends the free courses to students in a Maine registered homeschool. Ask the Dual Enrollment Success Coach whether your student must also be in grade 11 or 12.

3. Has a 3.0 GPA or recommendation

   Your student needs a cumulative 3.0 GPA or a recommendation. In the OnCourse portal, a homeschool parent grants both parental permission and the academic recommendation.

4. Places into the course

   Your student must meet course prerequisites, using qualifying SAT or PSAT scores or the free Accuplacer test at SMCC.

What it is worth

SMCC bills credits beyond the dual enrollment limits at $96 per credit hour with fees waived, the rate it uses for value below.

One 3-credit course

$288

One semester of 6 credits

$576

Yearly free limit of 12 credits

$1,152

Lifetime limit of 18 credits (class of 2027 on)

$1,728

Each credit past the limit

$96, fees waived

SMCC's page does not say whether textbooks are provided, so ask the Dual Enrollment Success Coach what books cost before your student registers.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Create an OnCourse account

   Set up an account at oncourse.mccs.me.edu with an email your student checks, their Social Security number, and a parent email.

2. One week before the semester

   Apply for classes

   Use Apply for Classes in the portal. The application must be complete at least one week before the semester begins.

3. After you apply

   Give permission and recommendation

   You receive an email permission form and, as the homeschool parent, also enter the academic recommendation.

4. Before classes start

   Placement and confirmation

   An Early College advisor reviews the application, confirms the seat and placement, and emails course details.

5. Each course

   Earn a C- or better

   SMCC counts a C- or higher as success. After an unsuccessful course, check with SMCC before taking more.

What it pays for

Covered

• Tuition on dual enrollment courses
• Regular course fees
• Accuplacer placement testing at SMCC

Not covered

• Credits beyond the yearly or lifetime limit, at $96 a credit
• Developmental courses such as ENGL-080 and MATH-040
• Enhanced courses such as ENGL-101 enhanced and MATH-140/141
• Courses restricted to students in an SMCC degree program

The 12-credit yearly limit counts courses at every Maine community college and University of Maine campus together, so free credits taken elsewhere use up the same allowance.

Good to know

• Registered homeschool students take courses free

  SMCC names students in a Maine registered homeschool, alongside public school juniors and seniors, as eligible for tuition- and fee-free dual enrollment courses.

Who to contact

Molly Caso, the Dual Enrollment Success Coach, helps students apply, choose courses, and confirm eligibility.

mcaso@mainecc.edu 207-741-5605

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Maine

You must submit the initial notice to the resident school unit and education commissioner within 10 calendar days of starting. You must submit annual continuation notice and assessment by September 1. Maine’s online portal serves both recipients; paper notices go to the resident superintendent for forwarding.

Maine sets these rules:

• Subjects: At least 175 instructional days annually covering English/language arts, math, science, social studies, PE, health, library skills, and fine arts. Include Maine studies in one grade from 6–12 and demonstrate computer proficiency in one grade from 7–12.
• Testing: Annual assessment required, with a test or an accepted progress review; submit the result with the September 1 continuation notice.
• Records: Retain copies of filed notices and annual assessments until the home instruction program ends; make them available to the commissioner on request.
• Teachers: No state teaching credential required for the home instructor. Some assessment-review options require a Maine-certified teacher or administrator.

Read the Maine homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Maine

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