Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024
Section 457-618-1 - DEFINITIONS1. Certain terms used in this rule, which are defined in the Finance Authority of Maine Act, 10 M.R.S.A. §961 and following and in 20-A M.R.S.A. Chapter 424-A shall have the meanings set forth therein, unless clearly specified otherwise or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.2.Defined TermsA. "Annual report" means a report provided annually by the Authority to the loan recipient, requiring the loan recipient to provide a current address and status of the loan recipient's professional education, training or practice, as well as the geographic region the practice serves, and such other information the Authority deem useful or necessary for the efficient administration of the Program. B. "Chief executive officer" means the chief executive officer of the Authority or a person acting under the supervisory control of the chief executive officer.C. "Clinical experiences" means any on-location teaching environment ranging from one-to-one training with a veterinarian to training in a veterinary clinic or hospital.D. "Completion of professional education" means completion of veterinary school, post-graduate medical training, and obligated public health and/or national service, if any.E. "Emergency and critical care" means a type of veterinary practice as determined by the Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.F. "Financial need" means the financial cost of attendance as published by the institution of veterinary medicine minus the student's expected family contribution as calculated under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.G. "Forgiveness" means the satisfaction of all or a portion of the loan obligation by the loan recipient through an eligible practice as set forth herein.H. "Insufficient veterinary services" means an insufficient number of practitioners of veterinary medicine in a veterinary specialty related to livestock or emergency and critical care, as determined by the Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.I. "Livestock" means such animals as determined by the Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.J. "Maine resident" means a person who has been a resident of the Maine for a minimum of two years for other than educational purposes at the time of entry to a school of veterinary medicine. In determining whether an applicant is a Maine resident, the Authority shall consider (a) length of residence in Maine for other than tuition purposes; (b) the secondary school the applicant attended; (c) the legal residence of the applicant's parents; (d) the location where the applicant is registered to vote, if any; (e) the jurisdiction(s) in which the applicant files income tax forms; (f) the jurisdiction where the applicant is licensed to drive, if any; (g) such other documents and information as determined necessary or relevant in the opinion of the chief executive officer. K. "Postgraduate training" includes one-year internships with a practicing veterinarian and/or internships, residencies, and fellowships that prepare practitioners for certification(s) by the corresponding Council Board of veterinary medicine in the specialty.L. "Program" means the Maine Veterinary Medicine Loan Program.M. "Repayment period" means the period of time beginning six months following completion of professional education or withdrawal from school and continuing for ten years.N. "Return service" means employment in a practice that qualifies the loan recipient for forgiveness of any portion of the indebtedness.O. "Selection Committee" means the committee convened by the chief executive officer pursuant to Section IV herein.P. "Underserved geographic region" means a geographic region of Maine in which there is an insufficient number of practitioners of veterinary medicine, as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.94-457 C.M.R. ch. 618, § 1