Section 457-603-1 - DefinitionsA. Academic Achievement. "Academic achievement" means graduation in the top one-half of the class or the equivalent for graduating high school seniors, or earning a grade point average of at least 3.0, based on a 4.0 grade point system, or the equivalent thereof, as determined in the discretion of the chief executive officer, for currently enrolled college students and all other postsecondary applicants. The determination of academic achievement for applicants for a loan for students pursuing postbaccalaureate teacher certification is based upon their most recent cumulative grade point average.B. Authority. "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine.C. Blaine House Scholar. "Blaine House Scholar" means an eligible individual who has been recognized as such by the Governor after consultation with the chief executive officer, who shall annually review and evaluate all submitted applications.D. Chief Executive Officer. "Chief executive officer" means the Authority's chief executive officer or a person acting under the supervisory control of the chief executive officer.E. Duly Enrolled. "Duly enrolled" means the time at which an eligible individual has attended the first class meeting.F. Eligible Individuals. "Eligible individuals" means students and teachers who meet eligibility requirements as determined in 20-A MRSA sections12505 and 12507 and this rule.G. Geographically Isolated Area. "Geographically isolated area" means an area identified pursuant to 20-A MRSA §15612(2).H. Institution of Higher Education. Institution of higher education means an accredited postsecondary educational institution offering two year, four year or graduate level programs which lead to the attainment of Associate, Baccalaureate, Master or Doctorate Degrees and technical colleges offering at least a two year program of study beyond grade 12. The institution of higher education shall be located within this state, another state or a foreign country, the District of Columbia or United States Trust Territories. Federally subsidized military academies are not eligible.I. Teacher. "Teacher" means a person certified by the Department of Education who is employed as a teacher by a public school or private school approved for tuition purposes or a state operated school including elementary and secondary teacher, specialized subject teacher, vocational industrial teacher as defined in the certification rules of the State Board of Education and also includes by position title the following, unless modified by future legislation:4. Librarian-media specialist5. Special education teacher6. Special teacher of reading7. Speech clinician teacherJ. Preservice. "Preservice" means preparation to become a teacher either through completion of not less than a four year teacher training program or through a liberal arts program and teaching pedagogy leading to certification in the subject area or areas to be taught.K. Return Service. "Return service" means service performed as a teacher in public elementary or secondary schools in Maine or in a Maine private school approved for tuition purposes or in a state operated school for a full school year.L. Underserved Subject Areas. "Underserved subject areas" means those subjects or programs required or authorized to be taught in the public schools for which there is an insufficient supply of teachers as may be determined by the chief executive officer after consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Education. Those subjects include, but are not limited to, special education, computer studies, school librarians, reading specialists, science (7-12) and math (7-12).M. Students pursuing postbaccalaureate teacher certification. "Students pursuing postbaccalaureate teacher certification" means students who have earned a Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent and are pursuing a program of studies leading to certification as a teacher.N. Most recent cumulative grade point average. "Most recent cumulative grade point average" means the grade point average ("GPA") or its equivalent from the applicant's most recently completed course of study resulting in a degree. However, if the applicant has completed six credits or more in a program leading to teacher certification, during the year prior to the date of application in a program leading to teacher certification, the GPA or the equivalent attained for those credits is the most recent grade point average.94-457 C.M.R. ch. 603, § 1