Maine Revised Statutes Title 10. Commerce and Trade § 1038. Social Work Education Loan Repayment Program

A. “Fund” means the Social Work Education Loan Repayment Fund established in subsection 4.

B. “Program” means the Social Work Education Loan Repayment Program established in subsection 2.

A. Be a social worker licensed under Title 32, chapter 83  1;

B. Have completed a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work within 3 years prior to the date the applicant's application is received by the authority;

C. Possess an outstanding education loan relating to the degree;

D. Practice in an underserved practice area, including but not limited to the practice of social work:

Priority consideration must be given to social workers practicing in a public or private child welfare or family service agency, in a public service for the elderly or in a public service for individuals with disabilities;

E. Submit an application to the authority, which must include but is not limited to information concerning academic performance, awards and special honors and community involvement; and

F. Have signed a statement of intent in a form acceptable to the authority to work as a social worker in the State for a minimum of 3 years after acceptance into the program.

A. The authority may receive, invest and expend on behalf of the fund money from gifts, grants, bequests and donations in addition to money appropriated or allocated by the State and any federal funds received by the State for the benefit of social workers who have outstanding education loans. Money received by the authority on behalf of the fund must be used for the purposes of this subchapter. The fund must be maintained and administered by the authority. Any unexpended balance in the fund carries forward for continued use under this subchapter.

B. Costs and expenses of maintaining, servicing and administering the fund and of administering the program may be paid out of amounts in the fund.