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An Act To Improve Student Retention in Maine's Postsecondary Institutions
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §6902-A  is enacted to read:
§ 6902-A. Postsecondary services
The corporation shall provide services, in accordance with this section and for the purpose of significantly increasing the percentage of eligible students who obtain a postsecondary degree, to up to 4 postsecondary institutions in the State to assist up to 200 students in completing a postsecondary course of study.
 
1.  "Eligible student" defined.     As used in this section, "eligible student" means a student who:
 
A.  Has previously been enrolled in a high school program administered by the corporation;
 
B.  Has been in or currently is in foster care; or
 
C.  Has earned a high school equivalency diploma through an alternative program within the previous 5 years.
 
2.  Student services.     The corporation shall:
 
A.  Provide academic and social mentoring and counseling to eligible students, including monitoring of academic performance and connection to campus life;
 
B.  Assist each eligible student in developing an individualized academic plan for completing a course of study and consider each eligible student's individual academic needs and provide connections to sources of academic support, if necessary;
 
C.  Develop a system of peer mentoring between eligible students and other college students and between eligible students and college graduates; and
 
D.  Provide eligible students with financial guidance relating to postsecondary expenses, including assisting eligible students in obtaining all available sources of financial aid.
Sec. 2. Report. Jobs for Maine's Graduates shall determine methods for implementing the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6902-A and report its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 31, 2016. The committee may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Jobs for Maine's Graduates - College Retention N181
 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to support college retention efforts for Jobs for Maine's Graduates students. Jobs for Maine's Graduates may seek matching funds from public and private sources on both a state and national level to support the college retention efforts.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$250,000	$250,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$250,000	$250,000	

SUMMARY
This bill directs Jobs for Maine's Graduates, a state-authorized nonprofit corporation, to provide mentoring and counseling services, course guidance and graduation planning, peer support services and financial guidance to up to 200 students and at up to 4 postsecondary institutions in the State for the purpose of significantly increasing the percentage of eligible students who obtain a postsecondary degree. Eligible students must have previously been enrolled in a Jobs for Maine's Graduates high school program, been in or currently be in foster care or have earned a high school equivalency diploma within the 5 years prior to obtaining these services.