Whereas, the Finance Authority of Maine is limited to providing no more than 5% of Maine State Grant Program funds to part-time students; and

Whereas, there has been a significant increase in the number of Maine residents attending institutions of higher education as part-time students; and

Whereas, part-time students may be unable to attend institutions of higher education or may be required to take on excessive debt if the Maine State Grant Program funds are not available; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §11614, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2001, c. 70, §8, is further amended to read:

7. Part-time students. The authority may allocate up to 5% 15% of the Maine State Grants to eligible part-time students. The authority must establish eligibility criteria by rulemaking pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the Finance Authority of Maine to allocate up to 15%, rather than 5%, of Maine State Grant Programs funds to make need-based grants to part-time students.