Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 429-B is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 429-B

TUITION WAIVER AT STATE POSTSECONDARY

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR STUDENTS ACHIEVING

LEARNING RESULTS STANDARDS

§12581.__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 student.__"Eligible student" means a Maine resident who is a Maine high school graduate who has satisfied learning results standards pursuant to section 6209 and will be entering that person's first year in a state postsecondary educational institution.

3.__State postsecondary educational institution.__"State postsecondary educational institution" means the University of Maine System, Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Community College System.

§12582.__Tuition waiver

Eligible students may attend the first year of any state postsecondary educational institution free of tuition charges.

§12583.__Administration

1.__Application.__A person may apply to the authority for determination of eligibility under this chapter 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 Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-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 student's first academic year.