H.P. 501 - L.D. 708
An Act to Provide Educational Opportunities for Persons Who Resided in Foster Care as Children
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 429-A is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 429-A
TUITION WAIVER AT STATE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE RESIDED IN FOSTER CARE
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. Authority. "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine.
2. Family foster home. "Family foster home" means the same as defined in Title 22, section 8101, subsection 3.
3. State postsecondary educational institution. "Postsecondary educational institution" means the University of Maine System, the Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Technical College System.
4. Unmet need. "Unmet need" means the difference between the total cost of attendance for an academic year at a state postsecondary educational institution and the total of all sources of financial assistance, including loans, grants, work-study programs, federal funds provided through the Department of Human Services for the education of foster children and all other available sources.
Any person who was in the custody of the Department of Human Services and resided in foster care at the time that person graduated from high school or successfully completed a general educational development examination or its equivalent under section 257 may attend, as provided in this section, any state postsecondary educational institution free of tuition charges.
1. Eligibility of person. A person is eligible for a tuition waiver under this chapter if the person is:
A. A Maine resident;
B. A high school graduate or has attained a high school equivalency diploma as described under section 257; and
C. Accepted for admission to a state postsecondary educational institution.
2. Limitation. The tuition waiver provided by this chapter is limited to:
A. Persons participating in undergraduate degree programs or certificate programs of at least one year;
B. Persons who have not been enrolled full time for more than 5 years or the equivalent;
C. Persons who have completed an application for federal student financial aid programs for which they may be eligible; and
D. Eligible persons with unmet needs remaining, after all financial resources are considered, toward the total cost of attendance pursuant to section 11613.
3. Continuation. The tuition waiver provided by this chapter is awarded on a yearly basis and continues to be available, if the person is otherwise eligible under this section, as long as the person remains in good academic standing at a state postsecondary educational institution.
1. Application. A person desiring a tuition waiver under this chapter may apply to the authority for determination of eligibility. Application must be on forms and in a manner prescribed by rule of the authority. Rules adopted pursuant to this chapter are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
2. Decision. The authority shall determine whether an applicant is eligible and notify the applicant. The authority shall also notify the state postsecondary educational institution at which the person is accepted of the eligibility of that person for a tuition waiver. Unless notified by the authority of a change in the student's eligibility, the institution may not bill an eligible student for tuition during that school year.
3. Limitation. Tuition waivers to eligible persons are limited to 25 students per year.
Effective September 18, 1999, unless otherwise indicated.
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