Education and Training

Portland Adult Education (PAE)

We offer programs that are designed to prepare Portland and the Greater Portland area residents for a better, more fulfilling life. Portland Adult Education, PAE, is a wide-ranging community program that brings people and resources together for academic courses, for job skills or personal enrichment, for special needs, or just for fun.

https://www.portlandadulted.org
14 Locust St. Portland, ME 04101
(207) 874-8155

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)

Maine’s largest community college, with over 7,000 students, more than 45 degree programs, and the lowest tuition and fees in New England.

https://www.smccme.edu/
2 Fort Road South Portland, ME 04106
(207)-741-5500

University of Southern Maine (USM)

Multi-campus public comprehensive university and part of the University of Maine System.

http://usm.maine.edu/prospective-students
admitusm@maine.edu
96 Falmouth St. Portland, ME 04103
(207)-780-5670 1-(800)-800-4USM ext. 5670

University of New England (UNE)

Located on the coast of Maine, UNE is an independent university committed to academic excellence.

https://www.une.edu/
716 Stevens Avenue Portland, ME 04103
(207) 283-0171

Scholarships

Friends of Portland Adult Education (FPAE)

Provides limited scholarship money for eligible and low-income students.

https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Portland-Adult-Education-471699116223517/
pollam@portlandschools.org
Marie Pollard: (207) 874-8155

*Ask for an application at the Portland Adult Education office (14 Locust St. Portland)*

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

Works to create quality jobs for Maine people. We help make higher education more accessible and affordable. FAME can help you save for college, learn about financial aid and manage your student loans after you’ve graduated.

https://www.famemaine.com/education/
5 Community Dr. Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 623-3263

Portland English as a Second Language Scholarship Fund (PESLSF)

Help local immigrants and refugees gain the English language skills necessary to achieve their post- secondary educational goals in the United States.

http://www.peslsf.org/
P.O. Box 281 Portland, ME 04112
(207) 200-PESL

English as a Second Language (ESOL)(ESL)

Portland Adult Education (PAE): Several levels of ESOL classes are offered to give comprehensive English language instruction to speakers of other languages. The beginning levels focus on developing basic conversational skills, literacy, and basic grammar. Intermediate levels continue to focus on speaking skills for survival (employment, health, housing, emergencies, etc.). Attention is given to reading, writing, and continuing grammar (past, present, future, and present perfect). Advanced classes further develop conversational skills and begin to introduce idiomatic English, gerunds and passive voice.

http://www.portlandadulted.org/pae2/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=6&Itemid=1
14 Locust St. Portland, ME 04101 (207) 874-8155

LearningWorks

Provide the best learning opportunities in Maine for at-risk youth, the immigrant community, and low-income families.

https://www.learningworks.me/
info@LearningWorks.me
181 Brackett Street Portland, ME 04102
(207)-775-0105

University of Southern Maine’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program

Provide excellent higher education instruction in academic English, to culturally diverse students. Some take English language courses as prerequisites for future academic courses, while others want to improve their English language skills for work, other University study, or personal satisfaction.

https://usm.maine.edu/esol
usmesol@maine.edu
96 Falmouth Street, Payson Smith Hall 101 Portland, ME 04103
(207)-780-4365