Resolve, To Establish a Stakeholder Group To Review the Maine State Grant Program

Sec. 1. Stakeholder group to review Maine State Grant Program. Resolved: That the Finance Authority of Maine, referred to in this resolve as "the authority," shall establish a stakeholder group, through a partnership with other appropriate entities, to work together to review the Maine State Grant Program, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 11612 and referred to in this resolve as "the program"; and be it further

Sec. 2. Participants. Resolved: That the authority shall invite the following to participate in the stakeholder group:

1. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;

2. The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee;

3. The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's designee;

4. A representative of Maine's private higher education institutions;

5. A Maine college or university student;

6. A representative of the Maine Compact for Higher Education;

7. A representative of the Maine Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators;

8. A representative of the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute;

9. A Legislator serving on the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs during the 125th Legislature; and

10. Other interested parties at the discretion of the authority; and be it further

Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the review must include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. A review of the history and efficacy of the program and any necessary changes;

2. Ideas to enhance the program in light of current and future higher education trends and needs;

3. Options to increase funding for the program in the face of increased higher education costs and declining state funding; and

4. Current and future grant and financial aid needs of Maine students and families; and be it further

Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That, by December 1, 2011, the authority shall submit a written report of the findings of the review under this resolve and any recommendations resulting from the review to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs.

summary

This resolve authorizes the Finance Authority of Maine to coordinate a review of the Maine State Grant Program that includes the participation of a stakeholder group of higher education policy makers, agencies, institutions, students and financial aid administrators in the State and report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs by December 1, 2011.