Maine's public universities will offer free tuition to those who were injured, and the families of those killed last month in the deadliest mass shooting of 2023, the University of Maine System announced Wednesday.
The Lewiston Strong Tuition Waiver will be provided to eligible recipients seeking a bachelor's degree through any of the state schools. The waiver — originally requested by Gov. Janet Mills (D) — is is expected to cover over 80 impacted individuals, according to the University of Maine System.
The school system also developed an additional scholarship fund for donations toward the non-tuition college costs for those impacted by the shooting. This includes funds for room, board and books.
“I thank the University of Maine System for establishing the Lewiston Strong Tuition Waiver and Scholarship Fund, which will ensure that the cost of higher education will never be a barrier for those directly impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston,” Mills said in the press release.
“Through their boundless generosity, Maine people are demonstrating that our state will stand by those who were injured and the families of those who were killed in the months, years and decades to come," she added.
Those eligible for the scholarship include spouses and biological, adopted and step children of the 18 people killed, along with the 31 Maine residents injured in the Oct. 25 shooting in Lewiston, Maine — less than an hour outside of Portland.
The shootings, which took place at a bowling alley and restaurant, also marked the deadliest shooting in Maine's history.
The suspected gunman, Robert Card, escaped the scene of the shooting, but was found dead two days later following a massive search. The state medical examiner said Card died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, likely up to 12 hours before being found.
University of Maine Chancellor Dannel Malloy, who previously served two terms as Connecticut's governor, said the system believes the fund is "the best way we can honor the memories" of the victims and help ensure their loved ones can easily access postsecondary education.
“Beyond unimaginable grief, we know there is also overwhelming anxiety about financial and other responsibilities for those directly impacted, especially for those who are suddenly single parents or who were physically injured because of this horrific mass shooting," Malloy said in a statement.
The University of Maine System's in-state tuition and fees averages around $10,200 this academic year, according to The Associated Press.
