AUGUSTA — Students interested in studying information technology at one of Maine’s community colleges may be eligible for scholarships to cover the cost of their coursework this summer.

Maine is IT!, funded by a three-year, $13 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, is making it possible for Maine’s seven community colleges to dramatically expand the courses and programs they offer in information technology. A new summer scholarship program will enable students interested in the new IT programs to get a jumpstart on the fall semester.

Through Maine is IT!, the state’s community colleges will launch new IT courses and programs this fall in areas ranging from computer forensics to information security to information systems integration. Students who plan to enroll in these and other Maine is IT! offerings in the fall may be eligible for scholarships to cover the costs of both credit and non-credit summer courses related to their program of study.

Courses covered by the summer scholarships are being offered locally at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland and York County Community College in Wells.

To be eligible for a summer scholarship, a student must be at least 18 years of age, demonstrate financial need, and be accepted into a Maine is IT! related program for the fall 2014 semester.

A partial list of the Maine is IT! courses and programs is posted on the MCCS website.

For more information, contact the SMCC Office of Admissions at [email protected] or 741-5800, and for YCCC, contact Paula Gagnon at [email protected] or 216-4318.