All Other $250,000

Provides funds to develop student retention programs to reduce college drop-out rates.

Educational and General Activities -

University of Maine System

All Other $6,000,000

Provides funds to establish a special financing fund as a last resort mechanism to supplement existing financial aid. Funds may be used to assist students with the cost of tuition, room and board or the purchase of textbooks.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY

OF MAINE SYSTEM __________

TOTAL $6,250,000

__________

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS $7,500,000

SUMMARY

This bill provides a total of $7,500,000 in General Fund appropriations to increase postsecondary educational opportunities for Maine students. First, it provides $1,000,000 to the Department of Education to develop a program to assist Maine high schools to hire college guidance counselors. The primary focus of the counselors will be to provide postsecondary education advice and information.

Second, the bill provides $250,000 to each University of Maine System and the Maine Technical College System for the development of student retention programs.

Finally, the bill provides a General Fund appropriation of $6,000,000 to the University of Maine System to create a special financing fund as a last-resort mechanism to supplement existing financial aid.