AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The leader of Maine’s community colleges says the statewide system, starting this fall for two years, will cover tuition costs for full-time dependent students whose parents experience a job loss.

Speaking to lawmakers Tuesday, President John Fitzsimmons of the Maine Community College System also joined University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude in pledging to maintain and enhance effectiveness and efficiency during a period of economic turmoil.

Fitzsimmons called for a special focus on Maine’s growing number of unemployed and said the community college system — in which tuition is $2,500 a year — may be one of the state’s most important tools for recovery.

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