2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION › Part 4: SPECIFIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS › Subpart 2: APPLIED TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION › Chapter 312: MAINE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS › 20-A §8202. Intent; funding

§8202. Intent; funding
The school is established as a public, residential school located in Limestone and the following provisions apply.   [PL 1993, c. 706, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
1.  Curriculum.
The school's curriculum is designed to exceed existing state educational standards in the content areas of the system of learning results established in section 6209.
[PL 2001, c. 454, §35 (AMD).]
2.  Tuition; room and board; funding.
Students from this State may attend the school free of tuition charges and free of the cost of room and board. Additional funding for students from this State may be provided within amounts appropriated for that purpose as follows.
A. The amount must be paid in 4 equal quarterly payments during the year of attendance. The first payment must be made by July 31st. The amount of tuition and other costs paid for all students is limited to the amount appropriated for this purpose. To be eligible for state funding under this paragraph, a student must have resided in Maine with a parent, other relative or guardian for at least 6 months immediately preceding application to the school.   [PL 1995, c. 665, Pt. FF, §1 (AMD).]
B. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, and to the extent funds are not appropriated for this purpose, the student or the student's parent or guardian shall pay to the school the cost of room and board for the school year. In the case of financial need, the State shall pay to the school the difference between the cost of room and board and the student's or the student's family's ability to pay that cost. The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing the determination of financial need and the cost and schedule of payment of room and board under this paragraph. The determination of financial need must be based on a nationally recognized public or private school financial needs assessment system. A student may use scholarship funds in place of payment for all or part of the cost of room and board and any other fees or expenses incurred as a result of that student's enrollment at the school.   [PL 2023, c. 464, §1 (AMD).]
C. [PL 1995, c. 665, Pt. FF, §1 (RP).]
[PL 2023, c. 464, §1 (AMD).]
3.  Out-of-state tuition.
Students from other states and countries and students pursuing a postgraduate high school year of education may attend the school on a space-available basis by paying the cost of tuition, fees and room and board as established by the board of trustees.
[PL 2009, c. 486, §2 (AMD).]
4.  Scholarship fund.
The school must demonstrate its ability to raise private funds to support a scholarship fund. Based on this ability, the Legislature may provide General Fund appropriations to the scholarship fund. Funds available in the scholarship fund may not be used to offset, reduce or eliminate the appropriation of state funds described in subsection 2. The existence of the scholarship fund may not reduce or eliminate the State's funding obligations described in subsection 2.
[PL 2009, c. 486, §3 (AMD).]
5.  Educational enhancement fund.
The school may raise private funds to support an educational enhancement fund to enrich the educational experience of students enrolled at the school. The Legislature may provide General Fund appropriations to the educational enhancement fund. Funds available in the educational enhancement fund may not be used to offset, reduce or eliminate the appropriation of state funds described in subsection 2. The existence of the educational enhancement fund may not reduce or eliminate the State's funding obligations described in subsection 2.
[PL 2009, c. 486, §4 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 706, §A4 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 368, §LL2 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 665, §§FF1,2 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 454, §35 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 486, §§1-4 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 464, §1 (AMD).