Title 18. Student Financial Assistance — Subtitle 1. General Provisions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-101 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Commission” means the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
(c)
“Office” means the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
(d)
“Secretary” means the Secretary of Higher Education.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-102 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–102LinkCopy Citation
Except as otherwise provided in this title, the provisions of this subtitle apply to any scholarship, grant, loan, or other student financial assistance awarded by the Office.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-103 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–103LinkCopy Citation
Except as otherwise provided in Subtitles 3, 4, 5, and 12 of this title, a scholarship, grant, loan, or other student financial assistance awarded by the Office may be used only at a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in this State that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-104 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–104LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This title does not affect the power of any institution over:
(1)
Its operation or curriculum;
(2)
Its standards of scholarship for admission or attendance;
(3)
Examinations and grades;
(4)
Adoption and enforcement of rules and regulations; and
(5)
The disciplining of students.
(b)
The recipient of a scholarship may not be:
(1)
Denied admission to any institution because of religion; or
(2)
Required to take sectarian religious courses to qualify for a degree.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-105 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–105LinkCopy Citation
If requested by the donor or sponsor, any public institution of higher education shall report the academic grades of the recipient of a scholarship to the donor or sponsor at the end of each semester.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-106 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–106LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If, during an academic year, a student who is receiving any student financial assistance award withdraws from the institution at which the award is used or otherwise fails to remain eligible for the award, the institution shall make a pro rata refund to the Office or other donor on the same terms that it makes refunds to students.
(b)
Any refund may be reawarded on an interim basis under this title until the end of the academic year. Any requirement of an examination is waived for the recipient of an interim award.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-107 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–107LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Each year, money for each student financial assistance program administered by the Office shall be included in the State budget.
(2)
Each year, the Governor shall include in the State budget at least 80 percent of the funds appropriated in the prior fiscal year for need–based programs as provided in §§ 18–301, 18–706(f), 18–1401, 18–1501, and 18–2601 of this title.
(b)
Except as otherwise provided in this title, money appropriated under this title that is not used by the end of the fiscal year shall be deposited in the Need–based Student Financial Assistance Fund.
(c)
(1)
In this subsection, “Fund” means the Need–based Student Financial Assistance Fund.
(2)
There is a Need–based Student Financial Assistance Fund.
(3)
The purpose of the Fund is to allow money appropriated for student financial assistance programs that is not used in a fiscal year to be retained for need–based awards in future fiscal years.
(4)
The Commission shall administer the Fund.
(5)
(i)
The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(ii)
The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(6)
The Fund consists of:
(i)
Money distributed to the Fund under subsection (b) of this section; and
(ii)
Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
(7)
(i)
The Fund may be used only for making need–based financial assistance awards to students as provided in §§ 18–301, 18–601, 18–604, 18–706(f), 18–1401, 18–14A–01, 18–1501, 18–2507, and 18–2601 of this title.
(ii)
The Fund may not be used for administrative expenses.
(8)
(i)
The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
(ii)
Any investment earnings on the funds in the account shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.
(9)
Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-108 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–108LinkCopy Citation
Any college student or other individual, who is under 18 years old and is eligible for or is receiving benefits from any State scholarship, loan, tuition grant, remission of fixed charges, fellowship, federal or State student loan program, or any other student financial assistance:
(1)
May execute notes, contracts, or agreements necessary to obtain these benefits in the same manner and with the same effect as though he were 18 years old; and
(2)
May not assert the disability of infancy as a defense in any action brought against him with respect to these benefits.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-110 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–110LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Any student attending a public institution of higher education who is not a resident of this State and who is enrolled in an education course or program leading to an occupation as a licensed registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse shall pay only the tuition fees and other mandatory fees payable by a resident of this State if the student furnishes a promissory note to this State, with security satisfactory to the Commission, that, on completion of the education course or program, the student will work in this State for at least 4 years as a licensed registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in a hospital or related institution, as defined in § 19–301 of the Health – General Article.
(b)
(1)
The Secretary of Health may determine if there is a shortage of licensed registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
(2)
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, if the Secretary determines that there is no shortage of licensed registered nurses or licensed practical nurses, the nonresident student tuition reduction program established under this section may not be applied to any courses or programs required for that particular occupation.
(3)
Paragraph (2) of this subsection applies only to students who enroll in a course of study leading to that occupation subsequent to the determination made under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(4)
Paragraph (2) of this subsection may not affect any student who is participating in the nonresident tuition reduction program prior to the determination under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-111 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–111LinkCopy Citation
As a condition of receiving student financial assistance awarded by the Office, each recipient shall sign a statement pledging to remain drug free. The Commission shall determine the contents of the drug free statement.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-112 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–112LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this title, repayment obligations incurred by recipients of student financial assistance administered by the Office shall be calculated at an interest rate equal to and matching the interest rate established by the United States Department of Education for the Federal Stafford Loan on the first day of July of each year, with interest not accruing prior to notification to the Commission of a recipient’s graduation or termination from an institution of higher education.
(b)
A recipient shall commence repayment obligations upon graduation or termination from an institution of higher education.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-113 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–113LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A student may receive one or more awards of student financial assistance administered by the Office if:
(1)
Eligibility requirements are met for each type of student financial assistance received; and
(2)
The total of all student financial assistance received does not exceed:
(i)
The student’s total cost of education as certified by the institution the student is attending; and
(ii)
The equivalent annual expenses of a full–time resident undergraduate at the 4–year public institution of higher education within the University System of Maryland, other than the University of Maryland Global Campus and University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus, with the highest annual expenses for a full–time resident undergraduate.
(b)
A student who receives multiple awards of student financial assistance that have a service obligation requirement:
(1)
Must fulfill the terms of each service obligation; and
(2)
May not fulfill the service obligations concurrently.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-114 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–114LinkCopy Citation
The Commission and the Department shall work collaboratively to develop an application for use on digital devices that provides:
(1)
Information about State financial aid programs;
(2)
Calendar notifications for dates and deadlines associated with applying for financial aid; and
(3)
Any other information the Commission and the Department determine to be necessary or helpful to parents and students regarding financial aid in the State.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-115 (2026)
Title 18. Student Financial Assistance
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 18–115LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section, “education loan” means a direct loan administered by the U.S. Department of Education that is made to assist a student in obtaining a postsecondary education.
(2)
“Education loan” does not include a Parent Plus loan or a private student loan.
(b)
An institution of postsecondary education that receives education loan information from the U.S. Department of Education shall provide to each undergraduate student enrolled in the institution who applies for federal student aid in the applicable award year:
(1)
The information reported on the student’s Student Aid Report issued by the U.S. Department of Education from the most recent award year, including:
(i)
The total amount of outstanding loans; and
(ii)
The monthly payment amount for a 10–year period for every $1,000 owed by the borrower;
(2)
The lifetime loan limit for undergraduate student borrowers;
(3)
A statement that the actual repayment amount is dependent on the following factors:
(i)
The total amount a student borrows;
(ii)
The interest rate at the time the funds are borrowed and the amount of interest that accrues over the course of the loan;
(iii)
The length of the repayment term of the loan; and
(iv)
The decisions a student makes relating to:
(1)
Income–based repayment plans;
(2)
Deferments; and
(3)
Loan forgiveness;
(4)
A link to the National Student Loan Data System for Students website and an income–driven repayment plan website; and
(5)
The address of the financial aid office where the student may seek financial aid counseling.
(c)
An institution of postsecondary education shall provide the information required under subsection (b) of this section to students annually with the student’s financial aid award notice.
(d)
The information provided under this section may include the following statement:
“The information provided by the institution of postsecondary education was obtained from your Student Aid Report issued by the U.S. Department of Education for the most recent award year. It is based on assumptions made by the U.S. Department of Education as reported in your Student Aid Report and is not meant as a guarantee or promise. This information does not include Parent Plus loans or private student loans.”
(e)
If an institution of postsecondary education includes the statement under subsection (d) of this section with the information required under subsection (b) of this section, the institution of postsecondary education does not incur liability for any inaccurate representations made under this section if the representations were:
(1)
Made based on incorrect information provided by the U.S. Department of Education; and
(2)
Reasonably relied on in good faith by the institution of postsecondary education.