129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 866 LR 1564(03)
An Act To Support College Completion by Homeless Youth in Maine
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (H-321)
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
             
Fiscal Note
Potential future biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill provides that, beginning in fiscal year 2020-21, each state postsecondary educational institution may award grants to eligible homeless students equal to the cost of tuition less all other financial aid received by the student, subject to funding provided by the Legislature. The cost of this provision can not be estimated at this time and will depend on the number of eligible homeless students, the cost of tuition and the amount of financial aid received by each student. The bill requires the University of Maine System (UMS), the Maine Community College System (MCCS) and the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) to include the estimated amount of funding necessary to fully fund the grants as part of their biennial budget funding request. 
Additional costs to the UMS, MCCS and MMA to provide a homeless student liaison to assist homeless students in applying for federal and state financial aid and to develop individual housing plans for homeless students who are enrolled as full-time students can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.