§12723. Maine Free Community College Program
The Maine Free Community College Program, referred to in this section as "the program," is established. The system shall waive tuition for no more than 2 years for an eligible student who meets the conditions under subsection 2. The availability of the tuition waiver is limited to the amount appropriated.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
1.
Definition.
For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "eligible student" means a person who graduated from high school in the previous 2 academic years or obtained the equivalent of a high school diploma in the previous 2 academic years.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
2.
Conditions.
In order to receive a tuition waiver under this section, an eligible student must:
A.
Pursue an associate degree or other academic credential;
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
B.
Have established a primary residence in the State for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of admission to a college and reside in the State for the duration of the student's enrollment in the college;
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
C.
Accept all available federal and state grants, scholarships and other sources of funding; and
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
D.
Access the tuition waiver for no longer than 150% of the time stated by a college for completion of a program of study.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
3.
Report.
No later than January 15th of each year, the system shall prepare and submit a report regarding the program to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs.
[PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2021, c. 372, §1 (NEW). PL 2025, c. 650, Pt. QQQ, §1 (RPR).