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Not supplanting. Describe how the State agency ensures that costs attributed to the E&T program are not supplanting funds used for other existing educational programs. Maine SNAP E&T requires providers to use all other grants and scholarships first. Since providers do not directly deliver these services, but act as a fiscal agent for educational institutions, there is no supplanting of funds for existing programs. Providers are asked to refer participants to Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) to assure that this Educational Opportunity Center provider works with participants to apply for all potential financial aid and scholarships https://meoc.maine.edu/. MEOC was previously a contracted SNAP E&T provider, so its staff have a good understanding of SNAP E&T. This continuing collaboration will help to assure that all other financial aid opportunities are exhausted before SNAP E&T dollars are utilized. SNAP E&T collaborates with several other scholarship programs to ensure all financial aid opportunities are considered. One such program is Higher Opportunities and Pathways to Employment (HOPE) a Maine OFI-operated post-secondary educational scholarship program for TANF eligible families who are not currently receiving TANF benefits. Another primary enroller for the educational component is the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP). CSSP managers are not aware of SNAP status until participants are enrolled and eligible for all of the tuition reimbursement allowable by governing law at: www.mainecareercenter.gov/docs/2024/cssp/2024Ruleseffective3162024.pdf. This process prevents any duplication or supplantation concern. The 50% funds from SNAP E&T are transferred by DHHS directly back into the CSSP program account to increase scholarship programming for more low-income scholarship recipients. Cost parity. Describe how the State agency ensures that costs charged to E&T do not exceed the costs charged for non-E&T participants. Maine SNAP E&T contractually requires providers to use all other grants and scholarships first. Since providers are not actually providing these services, this is not applicable. Outcome Measure Describe the methodology for the outcome reporting measure. Include timeframes being reported (e.g. denominator and numerator) Percent of completers Data is gathered from monthly rosters. Numerator is number of participants indicated as completing this component from 10/1/25 to 9/30/26. Denominator is number of participants enrolled in this component at any time from 10/1/25 to 9/30/26 minus those currently enrolled in this component during same time period. Percent of completers employed 2nd quarter post completion of this component. Data is gathered from monthly rosters. Numerator is number of completers employed from 4/1/26 to 6/30/26. Denominator is number of unduplicated participants from 10/1/25 to 9/30/26. Income two quarters post completion of this component. Data is gathered from ACES and ReEmployME. Average and median income calculated for completers of this component two quarters post completion. Percent of completers receiving SNAP benefit two quarters post completion Data is gathered from ACES. Numerator is number of completers receiving SNAP two quarters post completion. Denominator is number of completers from 10/1/25 through 9/30/26. 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan ME FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mefy26stateplan//index.html 41/68