<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="15-101.1" title_number="15" title_name="Public Institutions of Higher Education" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“CCR standard” has the meaning stated in § 7–205.1(a) of this article.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“High school” means a public school in the State that offers a program of instruction for at least grades 11 and 12, including a virtual school established under Title 7, Subtitle 14 of this article.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Beginning in the 2028–2029 academic year, there is a direct admission program at participating public senior higher education institutions for eligible high school students who meet the eligibility requirements specified in the memorandum of understanding entered into under subsection (c) of this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Commission, the Department, the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Establish eligibility requirements for the direct admission program, which shall include, at minimum, completion of the CCR standard and a minimum high school grade point average; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Enter into a memorandum of understanding that specifies the eligibility requirements for the direct admission program.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A high school student is eligible for direct admission to a participating public senior higher education institution under this section if the student:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Has completed or is expected to complete all of the prerequisite courses that are required by the institution to which the student applies by the student’s anticipated matriculation date;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Meets the eligibility requirements specified in the memorandum of understanding;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Applies for admission to an institution:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>By the required application deadline established by the institution; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>During grade 12 of high school;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Meets the other course requirements established by the institution, if any; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Meets the additional criteria established by the institution, if any.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A public senior higher education institution may choose to participate in the direct admission program under this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If a public senior higher education institution chooses to participate in the direct admission program, the participating institution shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <level label="1">
          <text>Agree to use the eligibility requirements specified in the memorandum of understanding;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Determine any additional courses or criteria needed for a student to qualify for direct admission to the institution, if any; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>Report the additional requirements under item 2 of this item to the Commission each year;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Waive the application fee for students who apply for direct admission to the institution; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Offer conditional direct admission to each high school student who meets the eligibility requirements specified in the memorandum of understanding.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A participating institution may:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Verify any information required by the institution and provided by a high school student indicating eligibility for direct admission under this section; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Revoke a student’s offer of direct admission at the institution if the student:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Is not awarded a high school diploma before the student’s anticipated matriculation date;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Does not meet the eligibility requirements specified in the memorandum of understanding;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>Engages in academic misconduct; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>After the student’s application is submitted, experiences significantly declining grades that, under the institution’s standard application process, would justify the institution revoking an offer for admission.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>The Department and the Commission jointly shall establish a process for notifying the Commission of each high school student in the State who has met the eligibility requirements specified in the memorandum of understanding each school year.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>The Commission shall establish a process to offer conditional direct admission from each participating institution to each eligible high school student.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>The provisions in this section do not guarantee a high school student eligible for direct admission placement in any specific program offered by the participating institution or to any specific college, school, or functional equivalent within the participating institution to which the student applies.</text>
  </level>
</section>
