Maine Offers Free College Tuition to Lewiston Mass Shooting Victims

Maine is providing free college tuition to individuals wounded in the Lewiston mass shooting, as well as to the families of the deceased victims.

In an announcement made on Wednesday, school officials revealed that those who were physically injured and surviving family members of those killed in the Lewiston mass shooting last month will be eligible to attend the University of Maine System without any tuition fees. This initiative aims to support and assist those affected by the tragic event.

Maine is home to seven public universities, with an average tuition cost of just over $10,000. In addition to waiving tuition fees, the school system is also establishing a donation fund to cover the non-tuition college expenses of individuals impacted by the shooting.

The University of Maine System estimates that more than 80 people, including spouses, biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren of the victims, could qualify to have their tuition and fees waived. The eligibility of individuals will be determined with the assistance of the Maine Attorney General.

"By all accounts, those who were tragically killed were deeply devoted to their families and working hard to provide them a strong future. While nothing will bring them back, the University of Maine System believes that the best way we can honor the memories of those taken too soon is to ensure their loved ones can easily access postsecondary education and opportunity," Chancellor Dannel Malloy said in a statement.

Malloy said the "Lewiston Strong Tuition Waiver" was developed after Gov. Janet Mills requested a scholarship fund for those most impacted by the shooting.

"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 a statement. "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."

Eighteen people were killed and 13 more were injured at a bowling alley and restaurant in the deadliest shooting in Maine history on October 25. The killer, identified by police as 40-year-old Robert Card, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a two-day manhunt.

Two weeks ago, one of the youngest survivors of the shooting was released from a Boston hospital. Gavin Robitaille, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, was shot in the arm at the bowling alley.

Robitaille's Recovery Update

Robitaille's family has announced that he will be undergoing additional surgeries as part of his ongoing recovery. Despite this, they consider him fortunate to be able to continue his rehabilitation from the comfort of his own home.