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MaineLD 2099132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Amend Certain Eligibility Requirements for Secondary Students Receiving State Subsidies for Postsecondary Courses

Sponsored By: Holly Sargent (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULASCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA - SUBSIDIES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Easier course access with student eligibility rules

Maine lowers the GPA needed for subsidized college courses from 3.0 to 2.0 on a 4.0 scale—a C average. Colleges can waive this rule, and it ends July 31, 2028. Students need a recommendation from their school or a school official who knows their academic performance; no prior assessment is required. This eligibility path requires Maine residency and enrollment in a public school, magnet school, qualifying tuition placement, or legally recognized home instruction. Tuition placements include public schools and private schools approved for public tuition. Eligible colleges still decide whether to admit individual students.

Student course credit caps end in 2028

Secondary students can receive state help for no more than 18 college credits over their lifetime. Career and technical education students in designated Early College Career Pathways have a separate 24-credit lifetime cap. Both caps are repealed July 31, 2028. These limits apply to subsidized credits, not all college credits a student can earn.

Student transcripts must show college credits

Maine high schools must list college credits earned on each student's transcript and name the institution that awarded them. The law defines the academic year to include summer, fall, and spring terms. Maine's Department of Education must work with eligible institutions to report on the changes, including the lifetime credit caps. The report is due February 1, 2028, to the Legislature's education and cultural affairs committee.

State tuition payments support student college courses

Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, Maine reimburses eligible institutions for in-state tuition for subsidized secondary-student courses. Eligible institutions are University of Maine System campuses, Maine Community College System colleges, and Maine Maritime Academy. The maximum reimbursement rate equals 50% of the average of the University of Maine System's highest and lowest in-state tuition rates. Program funding must be added to regular state aid for local schools. The law does not specify a total funding amount or a payment directly to families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Holly Sargent

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 24 • No: 8

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 24 • No: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 631

    4/3/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/25/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/24/2026House

  4. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-843), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/19/2026Senate

  5. Reports READOn motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED in concurrence. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 775 Yeas 24 - Nays 8 - Excused 3 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (H-843) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/18/2026Senate

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-843) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-843). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/17/2026House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrence

    1/7/2026Senate

  8. Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/7/2026House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-843), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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