20-A §12541. Definitions - Maine Statutes

Title 20-A: EDUCATION

Part 5: POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Chapter 428-C: JOB CREATION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

§12541. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

1. Accredited Maine community college, college or university. "Accredited Maine community college, college or university" means an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting association or by one of the specialized accrediting agencies recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and is:

A. Any campus of the Maine Community College System; [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

B. Any campus of the University of Maine System; [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

C. The Maine Maritime Academy; [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

D. Any educational institution that is located in this State and has authorization to confer an associate degree or a bachelor's degree, in accordance with sections 10704 and 10704‐A; [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

E. Any educational institution that is located in this State and is exempted from chapter 409 under section 10708, subsections 1 and 2; and [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

F. Any educational institution that is located in this State and is operating under a certificate of temporary approval from the state board under section 10703, to the extent that a student is ultimately able either to obtain an associate or a bachelor's degree at that institution or to transfer to and obtain a degree from an institution described in paragraphs A to E. [2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW).]

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §1 (AMD) .]

2. Benchmark loan payment. "Benchmark loan payment" means the figure described in section 12542, subsection 2‐A, paragraph D.

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §2 (AMD) .]

2-A. Educational cost-of-living adjustment. "Educational cost-of-living adjustment" means for any calendar year an amount equal to the average tuition and fees at the University of Maine System for a bachelor's degree or at the Maine Community College System for an associate degree for the academic year beginning in the prior calendar year, divided by the average tuition and fees for that degree in that system for the academic year beginning in the calendar year immediately preceding the prior calendar year.

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §3 (NEW) .]

3. Educational institution. "Educational institution" has the same meaning as in section 10701, subsection 3.

[ 2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW) .]

4. Educational opportunity tax credit. "Educational opportunity tax credit" means the tax credit provided for in Title 36, section 5217-D.

[ 2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW) .]

4-A. Financial aid package. "Financial aid package" means all financial aid received by a student and includes any loans that are certified by an accredited Maine community college, college or university's financial aid office, subject to any changes made by that institution's financial aid office. These loans may include private loans for the cost of attendance at an accredited Maine community college, college or university or less than the full amount of loans under federal programs, depending on the practices of the accredited Maine community college, college or university.

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §4 (NEW) .]

5. Maine resident. "Maine resident" means an individual who qualifies for Maine residence under Title 21‐A, section 112. An individual is a Maine resident if, at the time the individual commences the relevant degree program, the individual is registered to vote in the State or occupies a dwelling in the State and continues to occupy a dwelling in the State during the school year, except periods when it is reasonably necessary for the individual to live elsewhere as part of an accredited Maine community college, college or university's academic programs.

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §5 (AMD) .]

6. Opportunity contract.

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §6 (RP) .]

7. Principal cap. "Principal cap" means the cap described in section 12542, subsection 2‐A.

[ 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §7 (AMD) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2007, c. 469, Pt. A, §1 (NEW). 2009, c. 553, Pt. A, §§1-7 (AMD).