§ 20-A §10014 — Homeless students

1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.
Homeless student liaison.
Each state postsecondary educational institution may designate a staff member who is employed within the institution's financial aid office or another appropriate office or department to serve as the homeless student liaison. The homeless student liaison must have expertise in the financial aid eligibility of homeless students and in identifying services for homeless students. The liaison shall assist homeless students in applying for federal and state financial aid and applying for and receiving available services.
3.
Housing resources.
When housing resources are offered by and available for occupancy at a state postsecondary educational institution, the state postsecondary educational institution shall:
4.
Homeless student financial assistance grant.
Beginning in fiscal year 2020-21, each state postsecondary educational institution may award a homeless student a grant under this subsection. The grant award is limited to the amount of the cost of tuition, less all other financial aid received from a Federal Pell Grant or any other merit-based or needs-based grant or scholarship, not including a grant awarded under this subsection, that the homeless student is not required to repay. To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a homeless student must have completed an application for federal student financial aid programs for which the student may be eligible for the academic year for which the student applies. The availability of the grant and the amount of the grant under this subsection are subject to the amounts appropriated by the Legislature.
5.
Fund.
Each state postsecondary educational institution shall establish a nonlapsing fund to distribute grant awards pursuant to subsection 4. The University of Maine System, Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy shall include the estimated full funding necessary to provide the grants under subsection 4 in the preparation of the biennial budget for presentation to the Governor and the Legislature.

Legislative History

PL 2019, c. 538, §1 (NEW).