Maine students studying STEM in college would get a break on student loans through a program endorsed 9-3 Tuesday by the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. The governor’s bill, L.D. 1655, would offer interest-free Finance Authority of Maine loans to Maine residents who study science, technology, engineering or mathematics in any college – including out of state – and go on to work in a related job in Maine. The loans would be capped at $7,500 a year over five years, roughly the same amount as the average student loan debt carried by Maine graduates. Rep.