1.Program established.
The department shall establish a student financial aid program based on need to be known as the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," for a parent or caretaker relative of a minor child who is qualified to receive federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds but does not receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance pursuant to chapter 1053‑B and is matriculating in an education or training program, or is enrolled in a program providing remedial services necessary for the parent or caretaker relative to matriculate, that results in a high-value, industry-recognized certificate or similar credential, a postsecondary undergraduate 2-year degree or a postsecondary undergraduate 4-
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1.
Program established.
The department shall establish a student financial aid program based on need to be known as the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," for a parent or caretaker relative of a minor child who is qualified to receive federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds but does not receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance pursuant to chapter 1053‑B and is matriculating in an education or training program, or is enrolled in a program providing remedial services necessary for the parent or caretaker relative to matriculate, that results in a high-value, industry-recognized certificate or similar credential, a postsecondary undergraduate 2-year degree or a postsecondary undergraduate 4-year degree in a health care, technology or engineering field. The department shall specify the health care, technology and engineering fields for the postsecondary undergraduate 4-year degree in department rules.
2.
Eligibility criteria.
To the extent that enrollment limits under subsection 1 permit, enrollment or continued participation in the program must be granted if the applicant or participant:
2-A.
Coordination with state educational institutions and programs.
The department shall consider a referral from an educational institution or program that is part of the University of Maine System; the Maine Community College System; Jobs for Maine's Graduates, established in Title 20‑A, chapter 226; an adult education program established pursuant to Title 20‑A, chapter 315; or the career centers established by the Department of Labor as an application for the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program as long as, in accordance with department rules, the referral is submitted by a qualified person at the institution or program on a form provided by the department for this purpose and signed by the prospective student expressing a desire to enroll in the Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment Program. The department shall notify these institutions and programs of the opportunity to refer prospective students in accordance with this subsection and make available to prospective students and these institutions and programs referral forms to serve as applications for purposes of this subsection.
3.
Program assistance.
A program participant must be provided with a package of student aid that includes all support services necessary for participation in the program that are at least equivalent to those provided under chapter 1054‑A.
4.
Campus-based student support and navigation.
The department shall provide annually up to $1,000,000 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds described in subsection 1 to educational institutions to establish or supplement personalized professional guidance, support and navigation services provided directly to program participants to promote program completion and student success.
5.
Protection from loss of income.
To the extent permitted by federal law, aid received under this section must be disregarded as income and excluded as a resource or asset for the purposes of any state, federal, tribal or municipal assistance program.
6.
Rules.
The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.