Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 607 - ASPIRE-TANF PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-607-16 - PARENTS AS SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary:
Parents as Scholars is a student aid
				  program based on need, for up to 2000 participants, to aid needy students who
				  have dependent children and who are matriculating in post-secondary
				  undergraduate 2-year and 4-year degree-granting programs.
I.
AUTHORIZATION
The Department is authorized to operate the Parents as
				  Scholars Program by Maine law (22 M.R.S. Chapter 1054-B, §3790 ). PaS
				  participants are subject to the 60-month lifetime limit.
II.
PHILOSOPHY
The Parents as Scholars (PaS) Program is a tool to provide
				  alternative means of achieving self-support for some parents. PaS allows
				  participants to receive a package of financial aid, MaineCare and support
				  services while attending, on a full-time basis (as defined by the educational
				  institution), post-secondary undergraduate 2 and 4-year degree-granting
				  programs. It is recognized as a student financial aid program, while still
				  operating under the same rules as found in the ASPIRE-TANF Program.
III.
GENERAL
				PROVISIONS
A.
Eligibility
				Criteria
1. Individuals with marketable
				bachelor's degrees are ineligible for enrollment.
2. To the extent that program resources and
				space permit, enrollment in the program may be granted if the Assessment
				results in findings as follows:
a. That the
				individual does not possess the necessary skills to obtain employment that will
				enable the individual to support a family at 85% of the median family income in
				the State for a family of the same size;
b. That, considering potential employment
				opportunities and local labor market conditions, the post-secondary education
				sought by the individual will significantly improve the ability of the family
				to be self-supporting;
c. That the
				individual has the aptitude to complete the proposed post-secondary program
				successfully. Aptitude is determined on an individual basis, using Assessment
				procedures from Section
				5 and all other relevant information
				to make an informed decision as to whether or not the individual can
				realistically succeed in the proposed post-secondary education program;
				and
d. That enrollment is for the
				pursuit of a degree or certification that is reasonably calculated to lead to a
				job with at least an average job outlook within the geographic region where the
				participant lives or plans to live.
3. To determine whether a PaS candidate's
				education path is so reasonably calculated, the Department will rely on the
				publicly available Maine workforce analysis completed by the Maine Department
				of Labor. For occupations with a lower than average job outlook within the
				geographic region where the participant lives or plans to live, educational
				plans require approval of the Commissioner or the Program Manager of the ASPIRE
				Program, acting as the Commissioner's designee.
a. An applicant who wishes to pursue training
				or education for an occupation in Maine that has a lower than average job
				outlook, according to the Department of Labor workforce analysis, may petition
				by letter to the Commissioner or the Program Manager. The documentation and/or
				letter of petition must show that the occupation offers high compensation and
				is in sufficient demand that the applicant is likely to find employment in the
				region where he or she lives. To make such a showing, the letter should include
				answers to the following questions:
1. What
				is the desired job title and description of the job duties?
2. What does the typical day on the job
				include/involve?
3. What are the
				specific job requirements?
a. What is the required education level, work
				experience, and skills?
b. Are
				there physical requirements? If so, what are they?
c. What personal characteristics or
				attributes does someone need to be successful in this job?
d. What is the equipment needed to perform
				this job?
4. How does
				one enter this career?
5. Where
				would you find employment?
6. What
				are the typical hours?
7. How is
				income earned (i.e. hourly rate, commission, self-employment)?
8. What is the likelihood for advancement?
				What are the steps required for advancement?
9. What are the advantages/disadvantages in
				this job?
10. What is the demand
				for people in this career?