As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
1. Academic achievement. "Academic achievement" means earning a grade point average of 3.0 or more, based on a 4.0 grade point system, or the equivalent, based upon the most recent cumulative grade point average.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
2. Authority. "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
3. Chief executive officer. "Chief executive officer" means the chief executive officer of the Finance Authority of Maine.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
4. Child care. "Child care" means a regular service of care and protection provided for compensation for any part of a day less than 24 hours to a child or children under 13 years of age whose parents work outside the home, attend an educational program or are otherwise unable to care for their children.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
5. Child care facility. "Child care facility" means a child care center or a family child care provider as defined in Title 22, section 8301‑A.
[PL 2005, c. 530, §1 (AMD).]
6. Child care provider qualifications. "Child care provider qualifications" means a degree or certificate in child development or a related area as determined by rule of the authority.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
7. Cost of attendance. "Cost of attendance" has the same meaning as in 20 United States Code, Section 1087ll and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated under that section except, for students attending less than half-time, cost of attendance is determined on the same basis as for students attending half-time.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
8. Duly enrolled. "Duly enrolled" means, for an undergraduate, enrolled full-time and, for a graduate student, enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education, as evidenced in a form satisfactory to the authority.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
9. Eligible individual. "Eligible individual" means a student who meets the eligibility requirements of section 12505.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
10. Graduating high school senior. "Graduating high school senior" means a student who is a resident of the State, who graduates from a secondary school or a home instruction program as described in section 5001‑A, subsection 3, paragraph A, subparagraph (4) and who is entering that student's first year in an institution of higher education at the beginning of the next academic year.
[PL 2019, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]
11. Institution of higher education. "Institution of higher education" means an institution of higher education located within this State, another state or a foreign country that meets the requirements of and conforms to the definitions contained in the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 United States Code, Section 1001(a) and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated by the Secretary of Education pursuant to these sections of the law.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
12. Return service. "Return service" means service in a public elementary or secondary school, publicly supported secondary school, special education facility as defined in section 7001, subsection 6 or private school in this State approved for tuition purposes for a full school year as a certified teacher or school counselor or a licensed speech pathologist, service as a Jobs for Maine's Graduates specialist with similar teacher certification or service for a 12-month period in a child care facility by an individual who has attained child care provider qualifications.
[PL 2025, c. 58, §1 (AMD).]
12-A. School counselor. "School counselor" means a person who is employed as a school counselor in a school setting and who:
A. Is certified as a school counselor by the department; or [PL 2025, c. 58, §2 (NEW).]
B. Possesses a minimum of a master's degree in an approved program in guidance and counseling. [PL 2025, c. 58, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 58, §2 (NEW).]
13. Student pursuing postbaccalaureate certification. "Student pursuing postbaccalaureate certification" means a student who has earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent and is pursuing a program of study leading to certification as a teacher or school counselor or licensure as a speech pathologist or to the attainment of child care provider qualifications.
[PL 2025, c. 58, §3 (AMD).]
14. Undergraduate. "Undergraduate" means an individual who has not been awarded any baccalaureate degree and who is currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an institution of higher education, including a graduating high school senior.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
14-A. Underserved geographic areas. "Underserved geographic areas" means those geographic areas of the State where there is an insufficient supply of teachers, school counselors or speech pathologists as determined by the chief executive officer in consultation with the commissioner.
[PL 2025, c. 58, §4 (AMD).]
15. Underserved subject areas. "Underserved subject areas" means those subjects or programs, required or authorized to be taught in the public schools, for which there is an insufficient supply of teachers or speech pathologists as determined by the chief executive officer in consultation with the commissioner.
[PL 2003, c. 427, §2 (NEW).]
