Summary: This rule defines eligibility criteria and administrative procedures for the awarding of grants from the University of Maine System Scholarship Fund.

1. Definitions

A. Academic year and in attendance. “Academic year” and “in attendance” have the same meanings as in the definitions of these terms contained in the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 1201, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1141; and the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 491, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1088; and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated by the Secretary of Education and published in the Federal Register pursuant to these sections of federal law.

B. Authority. The “Authority” means the Finance Authority of Maine.

C. Eligible program of study. “Eligible program of study” means a certificate/diploma program of at least one year, an associate degree program or a baccalaureate degree program.

D. Chief Executive Officer. “Chief Executive Officer” means the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer or a person acting under the supervisory control of the Chief Executive Officer.

E. Resident of the State. “Resident of the State” means an applicant who is eligible for in-state tuition pursuant to the published guidelines of the University of Maine System.

F. State. “State” means the State of Maine.

G. Program. “Program” means the University of Maine System Scholarship Fund Program established by 20-A MRSA §11631.

2. Student Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for the Program the student must meet each of the following eligibility criteria:

A. The student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen defined as follows:

1. (1) U.S. national, or
2. (2) U.S. permanent resident having an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551), or
3. (3) Other eligible non-citizen having one of the following documents from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service:
4. (a) Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) showing:
   1. (i) 'refugee,' or
   2. (ii) 'adjustment applicant,' or
   3. (iii) 'conditional entrant,' or
   4. (iv) 'indefinite parole'; or
5. (b) An official statement that the student has been granted asylum in the U.S., or
6. (4) Provide evidence from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service that he or she is a permanent resident of the United States; or is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; or is a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.B. The student must be a resident of the State and shall have graduated from an approved secondary school (or matriculated at an approved post-secondary school prior to high school graduation) or successfully completed a general education development examination or its equivalent.C. The student must be accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate in an eligible program of study, or be in good standing as an undergraduate for a first baccalaureate degree at a University of Maine System institution of higher education according to the prescribed standards, regulations and practices of that institution; meet the required academic standards for admissions and have not received a previous baccalaureate degree, and establish financial need.D. The student must meet all the requirements for eligibility in the Maine State Grant Program (formerly known as the Maine Student Incentive Scholarship Program)E. The student must meet all the requirements for eligibility for federal student financial aid and not owe a refund to or be in default of any educational grant or loan programs.

3. Institution Eligibility

All accredited campuses of the University of Maine System institutions of higher education are eligible to participate in the Program.

4. Determination of Need

Each participating educational institution shall establish the need of a student for a Program grant for an academic year for which the student applies in a manner satisfactory to the Chief Executive Officer.

5. Length of Grant; period of study

A. A grant shall be for a period not to exceed one academic year.

B. A student may receive a grant during the period required for the completion of the first undergraduate baccalaureate course of study being pursued by that student at the institution at which the student is in attendance. The period may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program in which the student is enrolled, as published by the institution the student is attending, measured in academic years, academic terms or credit hours attempted, as appropriate.

6. Maximum Grant Amount

No grant be greater than $3000.

7. Payment Procedures

Funds will be issued to the institution pursuant to the following procedures:

A. The Authority will allocate available program funds by providing to each eligible institution a percentage of the funds available which is equal to that institution’s percentage of the full time equivalent, in-state students attending the University of Maine System as a whole, as published by the Chancellor of the University of Maine System. For example, if an eligible institution enrolls 10% of all of the full time equivalent students of the University of Maine System the previous fall, then that campus will receive 10% of the available funds. The Chancellor’s Office will notify the Authority annually no later than February 15 of the number of full time equivalent students attending the University of Maine System in the immediately preceding fall semester, as well as the number of full time equivalent students enrolled at each eligible campus.

1. B. No later than March 1, the Authority will provide each institution an estimate of the funds that will be available to that institution for distribution.
2. C. The Authority will disburse available funds to each institution in accordance with the allocation formula no later than August 15 or the first business day following August 15.
3. D. If a recipient of a grant withdraws from an institution and the student is entitled to a refund of tuition, fees or other charges, the institution may award such amounts to another eligible student.
4. E. No later than May 15 (or the first business day following May 15), each institution must provide the Authority with a final roster and reconciliation. The roster will include all recipients of program funds and the amounts received, as well as a certification from the submitting institution that the recipient all eligibility criteria. The reconciliation shall identify any interest earned on undisbursed funds and the use of such interest. Any unspent funds in excess of \$500 must be returned to the Authority for disbursement the following year.
5. F. For academic year 2001-2002 the deadlines listed in subsection A-C above will be adjusted so that the Program may be implemented upon final adoption of this rule.8. Program ReviewThe Authority may periodically conduct a program review of a participating institution's operation of the Program.9. Waiver of RuleThe Chief Executive Officer may waive any requirement of this rule, except to the extent that the requirement is mandated by the Act, in cases where deviation from the rule is insubstantial.---

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 10 MRSA §969-A(14), 20-A MRSA §11631.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

September 3, 2001