Code of Maine Rules
94 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
457 - FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE (FAME)
Chapter 601 - THE MAINE STATE GRANT PROGRAM (MSGP)
Section 457-601-1 - Definitions

A. Academic year. "Academic year" has the same meaning as in the definition of that term contained in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1088(a); and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated by the Secretary of Education and published in the Federal Register pursuant to these sections of federal law.

B. Adult learner. "Adult learner" means an individual aged twenty-four (24) years or older as of January 1 of the year they will start or return to school. They must not have received the grant for the three prior academic years and their expected family contribution must not exceed the maximum set for a given academic year.

B. Authority. The "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine.

C. Chief Executive Officer. "Chief Executive Officer" means the Authority's Chief Executive Officer or a person acting under the supervisory control of the Chief Executive Officer.

D. Dependent Student. "Dependent student" has the same meaning as that found in 34 CFR § 668.2(b), or any amendment or replacement thereof.

E. Eligible program of study. "Eligible program of study" means a certificate/diploma program of at least one year, an associate degree program or a baccalaureate degree program.

F. Enrolled. "Enrolled" has the same meaning as set forth in 34 CFR § 668.2(b), or any amendment or replacement thereof.

G. Expected family contribution. "Expected family contribution" means the amount that the student and his or her family may be reasonably expected to contribute toward post-secondary education for the academic year for which the student is seeking a Program grant.

H. Full-time student. "Full-time student" means a student enrolling for at least twelve credit hours during a semester, or a student who is a full-time student as defined by the published policies of the eligible institution that the student attends.

I. Independent Student. "Independent student" has the same meaning as that found in the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 480(d), as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1087 vv(d) and any regulations promulgated thereunder, or any amendment or replacement thereof.

J. Institution of higher education. "Institution of higher education" or "institution" means an institution of higher education that meets the requirements of and conforms to the definitions contained in the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Sections 1001(a) and 1002(a); and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated by the Secretary of Education and published in the Federal Register pursuant to these sections of law. An institution must have a federal school code (also known as a Title IV institution code) under the Higher Education Act, as amended, for its location. An institution must be located within the State or, for a student participating in the New England Board of Higher Education's New England Regional Student Program and eligible for the Tuition Break, be an institution offering the approved degree program in which such student is enrolled.

K. Part-time student. "Part-time student" means a student enrolling for at least six credit hours during a semester, or a student who is a part-time student as defined in accordance with the published policies of the institution the student is attending and the Authority accepts said definition.

L. Program. "Program" or "MSGP" means the Maine State Grant Program established by 20-A MRSA §11611 et seq.

M. Resident of the State. "Resident of the State" means an applicant who is either (1) an independent student who has been a domiciled resident of the State for at least one calendar year prior to the date of attendance at the institution or (2) a dependent student whose parent or legal guardian has been a domiciled resident of the State at least one calendar year prior to the date of attendance at the institution. A residence established in the State while attending an educational institution is not sufficient to establish a domiciled residence in the State. An individual may establish a domiciled residence in the State by providing indicia of residency satisfactory to the Chief Executive Officer, which may include evidence of home ownership within the State, ownership of a driver's license issued by the State, identification of Maine as the state of residency on the FAFSA or filing of State income tax returns for residents. When determining residency, all factors must be considered; establishment of any one indicia of residency may not be sufficient to establish residency.

Members of the armed forces on active duty in the State and their dependents are deemed residents of the State for eligibility purposes, notwithstanding the date residency is established, provided that the applicant is not eligible to receive financial aid provided by any other state.

N. State. "State" means the State of Maine.