Section 457-603-6-A - Loans to Students Pursuing Postbaccalaureate Teacher CertificationA. Initial Loan Eligibility (1) The student must be a Maine resident.(2) The student must be enrolled in or have applied for enrollment in a postbaccalaureate course of study leading to certification as a teacher.(3) The student's most recent cumulative grade point average must be at least 3.0.(4) The student must sign an agreement which details the conditions to be met for receipt of a loan.(5) The student must be recognized as a Blaine House Scholar.(6) Preference shall be given to students who are enrolled or intend to enroll in a program which has been determined to be an underserved subject area.(7) The student must not be eligible to apply for a Loan to Teachers, pursuant to section 7 hereof.(8) The student must sign a statement certifying compliance with the United States Military Selective Service Registration Act or certifying the basis for an exemption from compliance.B. Renewal Loan Eligibility (1) The student must apply annually for a loan on or before the deadline date.(2) The student must have received an initial loan.(3) The student must maintain at a minimum a 2.5 grade point average based on a 4.0 grade point system or the equivalent thereof, as determined in the discretion of the chief executive officer. Should the GPA fall below 2.5, the student has one academic year to bring the GPA up to 2.5. If this requirement is not met the student will be ineligible for further program participation.(4) A student granted an approved leave of absence by the postsecondary institution may be eligible to renew the loan at the termination of the leave of absence provided that all other requirements of this section are met.(5) The student must sign an agreement which details conditions to be met for receipt of a loan.(6) The student must maintain residence in the State of Maine in order to be eligible for a renewal loan.C. Deferral. Acceptance of an initial award or renewal of a previous award may be deferred for one academic year only. If a designated Blaine House Scholar fails to be duly enrolled in an institution of higher education, as defined by these rules, by the beginning of the second academic year which follows the student's designation as a Blaine House Scholar or receipt of a renewal award the student shall be ineligible for further program participation.94- 457 C.M.R. ch. 603, § 6-A