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An Act To Provide Debt-free Educational Opportunities for Maine Residents
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA c. 441  is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 441
DEBT-FREE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAINE RESIDENTS
§ 12941. Definitions
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.  Eligible program of study.     "Eligible program of study" means a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree, associate degree or certificate.
 
3.  Eligible school.     "Eligible school" means an institution of higher education as defined in section 11611, subsection 5. An eligible school must be a public college or university and includes the Maine Community College System.
 
4.  Eligible student.     "Eligible student" means a person who meets the requirements of section 12942.
 
5.  Gift aid.     "Gift aid" means financial aid received from the Federal Pell Grant under 20 United States Code, Section 1070a or any other source of merit-based or needs-based scholarship that the recipient is not required to repay. "Gift aid" does not include a grant awarded under this chapter.
§ 12942. Eligibility
There is established the Debt-free Educational Opportunities for Maine Residents program, administered by the authority and referred to in this chapter as "the program." Under the program, a grant may be given only to a person who:
 
1.  Graduated from secondary school.     Has graduated from a secondary school or matriculated at an eligible school prior to high school graduation or has successfully completed a general educational development examination or its equivalent;
 
2.  Accepted as undergraduate.     Has been accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate or is in good standing as an undergraduate at an eligible school in an eligible program of study and has not received a baccalaureate degree;
 
3.  Applied for grants.     Has applied for a grant under this chapter according to schedules and procedures and on forms developed by the authority by rule; and
 
4.  State residency requirements.     Has been a state resident for at least one year. To establish residency, the person must provide:
 
A.  Proof of attendance at a secondary school in the State;
 
B.  A driver's license or nondriver identification card issued by the State;
 
C.  A tax return, W-2 form or paycheck stub;
 
D.  A utility bill or a letter from a utility company showing application for service;
 
E.  A contract to which the person is a party;
 
F.  A document issued by a governmental entity such as:
 
(1) A United States Department of Homeland Security Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, Form I-589;
 
(2) A United States Department of Homeland Security Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals card;
 
(3) A United States Department of Homeland Security Application for Employment Authorization Document, Form I-765; or
 
(4) Proof of T nonimmigrant status under 8 United States Code, Section 1101(a)(15)(T) or U nonimmigrant status under 8 United States Code, Section 1101(a)(15)(U); or
 
G.  Other forms of acceptable documentary evidence of a person's residence or domicile in the State that includes the person's name and the address of the person's residence or domicile in the State. A post office box or other mail drop address is not sufficient.
 
A person who is unable to provide acceptable documentary evidence under paragraphs A through G may meet the requirements of this subsection by submitting the affidavits of 2 persons who have a personal or professional relationship with the person and knowledge of the person and the person's residence or domicile, which may be a shelter, in the State. A single affidavit signed by a parent or guardian of a minor making an application is sufficient for the purposes of this paragraph.
 
All forms of acceptable documentary evidence must provide proof that the person has been a resident of the State for at least one year.
§ 12943. Grant awards
Beginning in fiscal year 2019-20, the authority shall provide an eligible student a grant under this chapter in the amount of the cost of tuition and other expenses related to the cost of attendance at an eligible school, including the cost of room and board, books, supplies and fees, charged to a student enrolled in courses leading to completion of an eligible program of study on at least a part-time basis at an eligible school in which the eligible student is enrolled, less any gift aid the eligible student receives.
 
1.  Length of grant.     A grant is for the cost of tuition and other expenses related to the cost of attendance at an eligible school, including the cost of room and board, books, supplies and fees, charged to a student for a period not to exceed one academic year. An eligible student may apply for a grant each year during the period required for completion of an eligible program of study being pursued by that student.
 
2.  Period of study.     A full-time or part-time eligible student may receive grants for the cost of tuition and other expenses related to the cost of attendance at an eligible school, including the cost of room and board, books, supplies and fees, charged to a student for the equivalent of a 4-year baccalaureate program at the eligible school the student is attending.
§ 12944. Application forms
 
1.  Content of form.     The application form developed by the authority under section 12942 for the program under this chapter must be substantially similar to the free application for federal student aid form, or successor form, except a person and, if applicable, a parent or a legal guardian may not be asked:
 
A.  For a social security number;
 
B.  If the person is a United States citizen;
 
C.  For an alien registration number;
 
D.  Whether the person is male or female; rather, the questions, "What is your gender identity?" and "What pronouns do you use?" may be used on the application form;
 
E.  About any criminal convictions; and
 
F.  About work study.
§ 12945. Rulemaking
The authority shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Debt-free Educational Opportunities for Maine Residents program. The bill requires, beginning in fiscal year 2019-20, the Finance Authority of Maine to provide eligible Maine residents a grant in the amount of the cost of tuition and other expenses related to the cost of attendance at an eligible school, including the cost of room and board, books, supplies and fees, charged to a student enrolled in courses leading to completion of an eligible program of study on at least a part-time basis at a public institution of higher education in the State in which the student is enrolled, less all other gift aid. An eligible program of study means a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree, associate degree or certificate. An eligible full-time or part-time student may receive a grant for one academic year and may receive grants for the equivalent of a 4-year baccalaureate program at the eligible school the student is attending.