An Act To Improve Student Retention in Maine's Postsecondary Institutions
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0215
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: ALFOND, MAKER, KATZ, LANGLEY, MILLETT, THIBODEAU, VALENTINO, EVES, FREDETTE
Amends: 20-A MRSA §6902-A

Legislative Document 
No. 215 
S.P. 84 
In Senate, February 3, 2015 
An Act To Improve Student Retention in Maine's Postsecondary 
Institutions 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator ALFOND of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative MAKER of Calais and 
Senators: KATZ of Kennebec, LANGLEY of Hancock, MILLETT of Cumberland, President 
THIBODEAU of Waldo, VALENTINO of York, Representatives: Speaker EVES of North 
Berwick, FREDETTE of Newport, McCABE of Skowhegan. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §6902-A is enacted to read: 
§6902-A.  Postsecondary services 
The corporation shall provide services, in accordance with this section and for the 
purpose of significantly increasing the percentage of eligible students who obtain a 
postsecondary degree, to up to 4 postsecondary institutions in the State to assist up to 200 
students in completing a postsecondary course of study. 
1.  "Eligible student" defined.  As used in this section, "eligible student" means a 
student who: 
A.  Has previously been enrolled in a high school program administered by the 
corporation; 
B.  Has been in or currently is in foster care; or 
C.  Has earned a high school equivalency diploma through an alternative program 
within the previous 5 years. 
2.  Student services.  The corporation shall: 
A.  Provide academic and social mentoring and counseling to eligible students, 
including monitoring of academic performance and connection to campus life; 
B.  Assist each eligible student in developing an individualized academic plan for 
completing a course of study and consider each eligible student's individual academic 
needs and provide connections to sources of academic support, if necessary; 
C.  Develop a system of peer mentoring between eligible students and other college 
students and between eligible students and college graduates; and 
D.  Provide eligible students with financial guidance relating to postsecondary 
expenses, including assisting eligible students in obtaining all available sources of 
financial aid. 
Sec. 2.  Report.  Jobs for Maine's Graduates shall determine methods for 
implementing the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6902-A and report its 
findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 
31, 2016.  The committee may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 
127th Legislature. 
Sec. 3.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF  
Jobs for Maine's Graduates - College Retention N181 
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to support college retention efforts for Jobs for Maine's 
Graduates students.  Jobs for Maine's Graduates may seek matching funds from public 
and private sources on both a state and national level to support the college retention 
efforts. 
SUMMARY 
This bill directs Jobs for Maine's Graduates, a state-authorized nonprofit corporation, 
to provide mentoring and counseling services, course guidance and graduation planning, 
peer support services and financial guidance to up to 200 students and at up to 4 
postsecondary institutions in the State for the purpose of significantly increasing the 
percentage of eligible students who obtain a postsecondary degree.  Eligible students 
must have previously been enrolled in a Jobs for Maine's Graduates high school program, 
been in or currently be in foster care or have earned a high school equivalency diploma 
within the 5 years prior to obtaining these services. 
GENERAL FUND 
2015-16
2016-17
All Other 
$250,000
$250,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$250,000
$250,000