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An Act To Increase Access to Higher Education
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §1013, sub-§16, as amended by PL 2001, c. 417, §12, is further amended to read:
 
16. Maine College Savings Program.   The Maine College Savings Program, as established in Title 20-A, chapter 417-E; and
Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §1013, sub-§17, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 417, §13, is amended to read:
 
17. Maine Dental Education Loan Program.   The Maine Dental Education Loan Program as established in Title 20-A, chapter 426.; and
Sec. 3.  10 MRSA §1013, sub-§18  is enacted to read:
 
18.  Maine Merit Scholarship Program.     The Maine Merit Scholarship Program as established in Title 20-A, section 11681.
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA c. 419-E  is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 419-E
MAINE MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
§ 11681. Maine Merit Scholarship Program
The Maine Merit Scholarship Program is created and established as a nonlapsing fund under the jurisdiction and control of the Finance Authority of Maine, referred to in this section as "the authority." All revenue credited to this fund must be distributed as merit-based scholarships for students who have been admitted to the University of Maine System or the Maine Community College System. The scholarships are awarded annually for the full or partial costs of tuition after subtracting any financial aid and other awards or grants affecting tuition costs. The scholarships may be awarded only to those students who are residents of the State and attending Maine high schools at the time of application. The scholarships may be awarded only to those students whose annual family income is less than $30,000 and who graduate in the top 25% of their high school classes. A recipient of a scholarship under this section must maintain an annual 3.0 grade point average to remain eligible for the scholarship. The authority shall adjust eligibility requirements to control expenditures or increase participation in the program. The authority shall adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A pursuant to this section.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a merit-based scholarship program for eligible students who graduate from high school in Maine and who are admitted to one of the institutions of the University of Maine System or the Maine Community College System. Students must have graduated in the top 25% of their classes in high school and family income must be less than $30,000 a year. The scholarships are for the full or partial cost of tuition less any financial aid, awards or grants that reduce the level of tuition. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in college in order to remain eligible for the scholarship. This scholarship program will be administered by the Finance Authority of Maine. The Finance Authority of Maine, which is given routine technical rule-making authority, may adjust these eligibility requirements to control expenditures or increase participation in the program.