| This bill establishes a merit-based scholarship program for |
| eligible students who graduate from high school in Maine and who |
| are admitted to one of the institutions of the University of |
| Maine System or the Maine Community College System. Students |
| must have graduated in the top 10% of their classes in high |
| school and family income must be less than $70,000 a year. The |
| scholarships are for the full or partial cost of tuition less any |
| financial aid, awards or grants that reduce the level of tuition. |
| Students must retain a 3.0 grade point average in college in |
| order to remain in the program. This merit-based scholarship |
| program will be administered by the Finance Authority of Maine. |
| The Finance Authority of Maine, which is given routine technical |
| rule-making authority, may adjust these eligibility requirements |
| to control expenditures or increase participation in the program. |