Black Bear Advantage

Dual enroll at UMaine and a Maine Community College for easy credit transfer and access to services

Fill out the participation form
A photo of a person holding up a sign that says "Welcome to Black Bear Nation"

Get the Black Bear Advantage

If you are a student beginning your first year or already attending a Maine Community College System (MCCS) campus, and you have also been offered admission to UMaine, you now have an opportunity to take advantage of an existing 2+2 transfer articulation agreement with UMaine and simultaneously enroll at the University of Maine and participate in the UMaine community while attending your Maine Community College.

Through Black Bear Advantage, you will benefit from access to exceptional opportunities at UMaine during your time at the community college, and co-advising, as well as the academic strength and low cost of a Maine Community College.

Advantage Highlights

Minimal Credit Loss

Seamlessly transfer to UMaine without losing significant credits

Access to UMaine

Obtain a UMaine ID card that allows you to use UMaine facilities and get access to our awesome Division I gamedays while attending your community college

Up to $2,000 Scholarship

Receive a scholarship when you transfer and start full-time at UMaine

Full list of advantages

How to Participate

  1. Apply and be offered admission to UMaine.
  1. Enroll in a Maine Community College System (MCCS) community college that offers a 2+2 transfer articulation agreement between the participating MCCS campus and UMaine.
    See current eligible programs or check with your MCCS transfer advisor for an up-to-date list of eligible programs.
  1. Complete the Black Bear Advantage Participation form and agree to be co-enrolled at both UMaine and a participating MCCS campus.
  1. Co-enroll at both UMaine and a participating MCCS campus by taking 3 credit hours at UMaine and 12 credit hours from the participating community college.
  1. Obtain a UMaine ID card that allows you to use UMaine facilities including access to UMaine’s awesome Division I game days while attending your community college
  1. After completing your associate degree from a participating MCCS campus in an approved program, complete the Black Bear Advantage Transition to UMaine form to begin your streamlined transfer to UMaine (no need to complete another application).
  1. Get ready to complete your bachelor’s degree at UMaine!
Fill out the participation form

Ready to take advantage?

Fill out the participation form

Questions? Contact umaineadmissions@maine.edu

Program Advantages

  • Co-enrollment: While attending a participating MCCS campus full-time, you will take one course at UMaine to fulfill lower-level degree requirements for your specific degree program. These courses will be counted towards both the participating MCCS campus and UMaine degree plans.
  • UMaine ID Card: You will be eligible for your own MaineCard once you are approved to participate in the Black Bear Advantage Program. The MaineCard will provide access to UMaine’s student services while you are attending your Maine Community College, like…
  • New Balance Recreation Center
  • Athletic events
  • Counseling Center
  • Academic Support Services
  • eSports Lounge
  • Fogler Library
  • Transfer Articulation Agreement with UMaine: After successfully completing an associate degree in a degree program that offers a 2+2 transfer articulation agreement between the participating MCCS campuses and UMaine, you can transfer to UMaine to complete the bachelor’s degree with minimal to no credit loss — this cuts down the time required to earn your bachelor’s degree.
  • UMaine comes to you: At least twice each year, advisors from UMaine will visit MCCS campuses to establish a supportive relationship and get you necessary information for a smooth transition to UMaine.
  • Advising and transfer support: You will have access to collaborative academic advising and regular contact with both your MCCS and UMaine academic advisors to assist with setting and meeting academic goals and transferring to UMaine with minimal transfer credit loss.
  • Black Bear Advantage scholarship: You will be eligible to receive up to a $2,000 scholarship (depending on your participation in the Black Bear Advantage program) when you transfer from a participating MCCS campus following the successful completion of the associate degree in a degree program that offers a 2+2 transfer articulation agreement between the participating MCCS campuses and UMaine and begin full-time studies at UMaine. This scholarship is a UMaine Scholarship in addition to any other UMaine academic and/or institutional aid you may be eligible for.
  • Accelerated transfer process: Upon completing an associate degree from a participating MCCS campus in a degree program that offers a 2+2 transfer articulation agreement between your MCCS campus and UMaine you should complete the Black Bear Advantage Transition to UMaine form to allow UMaine to facilitate the transfer of your MCCS campus transcripts and coursework. Once the transition form is processed and your transfer is completed, you can start taking courses full-time at UMaine without needing to complete an additional application or pay any application fees.
  • Priority registration at UMaine: You will be provided priority registration during your first semester as a full-time UMaine student to ensure an easy transition to UMaine.

Available Programs

List as of February 2024

Co-Enrollment at the University of Maine

Co-Enrollment at the University of Maine at Machias

  • AAS in Human Services to B.A. in Psychology & Community Studies

The University of Maine and York County Community College (YCCC) are working on developing academic programs to be part of the Black Bear Advantage.

Please check the Transfer Agreement webpages for an up-to-date list of agreements. New agreements are being added continuously.