COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDS AN INCREASE IN MAINE STATE GRANT PROGRAM

Commission finalizes recommendations to be submitted to 127th Legislature’s Education Committee

AUGUSTA — The Commission to Study College Affordability and College Completion held its final meeting today in Augusta to finalize its recommendation on ways to make college more affordable for Maine students and help more Maine people get degrees.

The Commission recommended increasing the Maine State Grant Program to help Maine students meet the cost of higher education.  The Commission also recommended the grant award increase incrementally for each year of education the student completes.

“It has become obvious through the extensive work of this commission, that we as a state have failed to meet our obligation to Maine families,” said Democratic Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the Commission. “The Commission’s recommendation to increase the Maine State Grant Program is a good first step in helping students and families in addressing the cost of higher education.”

In addition, the Commission also ranked a number of other options and recommended funding for counselors to help students navigate the process of attaining enough credits for graduation.

“Maine’s economy is dependent on producing a more skilled and educated workforce,” said Representative Mattie Daughtry of Brunswick, the House Chair of the Commission. “Many students need some extra help to see the pathway forward toward graduation.  Additional counselors will help students to map that path forward and succeed.”

The  recommendations and report of the Commission will be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs in the 127th Legislature in December.

The thirteen-member Commission was created with the passage of LD 1849, “Resolve, To Establish the Commission to Study College Affordability and College Completion.”

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