Resolve, To Establish a Stakeholder Group To Review the Maine State Grant Program

Sec. 1. Stakeholder group to review Maine State Grant Program. Resolved: That the Finance Authority of Maine, referred to in this resolve as "the authority," shall establish a stakeholder group, through a partnership with other appropriate entities, to work together to review the Maine State Grant Program, established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 11612 and referred to in this resolve as "the program"; and be it further

Sec. 2. Participants. Resolved: That the authority shall invite the following to participate in the stakeholder group:

1. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;

2. The Chancellor of the University of Maine System or the chancellor's designee;

3. The President of the Maine Community College System or the president's designee;

4. A representative of Maine's private, nonprofit higher education institutions;

5. A Maine college or university student;

6. A representative of the Maine Compact for Higher Education;

7. A representative of the Maine Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators;

8. A representative of the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute; and

9. Other interested parties at the discretion of the authority; and be it further

Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the review must include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. A review of the history and efficacy of the program and any necessary changes;

2. Ideas to enhance the program in light of current and future higher education trends and needs;

3. Options to increase funding for the program in the face of increased higher education costs and declining state funding; and

4. Current and future grant and financial aid needs of Maine students and families; and be it further

Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That, by December 1, 2011, the authority shall submit a written report of the findings of the review under this resolve and any recommendations resulting from the review to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs. The joint standing committee may introduce a bill during the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature to implement the recommendations on matters relating to the review.