Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 429-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 429-A

TUITION WAIVER AT STATE POSTSECONDARY

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WHO

HAVE RESIDED IN FOSTER CARE

§12571.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Authority.__"Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine.

2.__Family foster home.__"Family foster home" means the same as defined in Title 22, section 8101, subsection 3.

3.__State postsecondary educational institution.__ "Postsecondary educational institution" means the University of Maine System, the Maine Maritime Academy and the Maine Technical College System.

§12572.__Tuition waiver

Any person 17 or 18 years of age who, anytime during the previous 4 years, was in the custody of the Department of Human Services and resided in a foster family home for at least one full year may attend, as provided in this section, any state postsecondary educational institution free of tuition charges.

1.__Eligibility of person.__A person is eligible for a tuition waiver under this chapter if the person is:

A.__A Maine resident;

B.__A high school graduate or has attained equivalent certification; and

C.__Accepted for admission to a state postsecondary educational institution.

2.__Limitation.__The tuition waiver provided by this chapter is limited to undergraduate degree programs and is limited to not more than 5 years of full-time enrollment or its equivalent.