The Maine Community College System, in cooperation with the Department of Education, is authorized to provide comprehensive administrative and financial services to the Maine Career Advantage program, to assist high school students in making a successful transition from secondary school into college and careers through a combination of career exploration and planning services, internships, scholarships and college transition assistance.__The purpose of the Maine Career Advantage program, referred to in this chapter as "the program," is to assist the Maine Community College System, public secondary schools and other publicly supported educational institutions in the State by providing additional resources and support for students who have not traditionally gone on to higher education and who may need assistance in developing educational and career goals and in pursuing those goals.

The Maine Community College System is authorized to receive and administer on behalf of the program any grants, fees, charges, appropriations and other funds from whatever source.

Sec. 83. 20-A MRSA §12732, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 392, §2, is amended to read:

1. Education and training. To provide a sequential higher education and training program that enhances opportunities for youth in this State to become highly skilled and productive members of the work force;

Sec. 84. 20-A MRSA §12733, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 392, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§12733.__Activities

In order to assist the State in increasing higher education attainment and developing a skilled workforce, the program shall provide career and college transition services to young adults who are not currently enrolling in higher education and who could benefit by enrolling in a community college.__These services may include scholarships, internships and other work- based learning experiences, career exploration and planning, assistance in completing the community college application and financial aid processes, academic planning and information related to continuing higher education beyond the certificate, diploma and associate degree levels consistent with the student's educational and career objectives.__These services must be provided either directly by the program or through referrals to other programs and services available within the community college system or by other education and service providers.__In order to participate