In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
“Eligible institution” means a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in this State that possesses a certificate of approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
“Regular undergraduate program” means an academic program of study in an institution of higher education at or below the baccalaureate level leading to either an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
“Service obligation” means full-time employment within the State.
There is a program of Maryland HOPE Scholarships in this State that are awarded under this subtitle.
The Office shall publicize the availability of Maryland HOPE Scholarships.
Each recipient of a Maryland HOPE Scholarship shall:
Be accepted for admission in a regular undergraduate program at an eligible institution in the State;
Be a resident of the State;
Earn an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent after completion of the first semester of the senior year;
Begin attending an eligible institution within 2 years of completing high school or, failing to do so, provide evidence satisfactory to the Office of extenuating circumstances;
Enroll as a full-time student at an eligible institution;
Have an annual total family income of $95,000 or below;
Accept any other conditions attached to the award; and
Satisfy any additional criteria the Maryland Higher Education Commission may establish.
The annual scholarship award shall be in the amount of $1,000 for a student enrolled at a 2-year eligible institution or $3,000 for a student enrolled in a 4-year eligible institution.
A student who transfers from a 2-year eligible institution to a 4-year eligible institution may receive an annual scholarship award in the amount of $3,000 once the student is enrolled at the 4-year eligible institution.
A Maryland HOPE Scholarship may be used at an eligible institution in the State.
Each recipient of a Maryland HOPE Scholarship may hold the award for 5 years if the recipient:
Continues to be a resident of the State;
Continues to be a full-time student at an eligible institution in the State and takes at least 12 semester hours of courses each semester or its equivalent as determined by the Office;
Upon completion of the freshman year, has achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and maintains this minimum cumulative grade point average throughout the remainder of the award, or failing to do so, provides evidence satisfactory to the Office of extenuating circumstances;
In the judgment of the institution, is making satisfactory progress toward a degree; and
Maintains the standards of the institution.
Each recipient of a Maryland HOPE Scholarship who is enrolled in an associate degree program as permitted in this subtitle may hold the award for 3 years if the same conditions of subsection (a) of this section are met.
Each recipient of a Maryland HOPE Scholarship who transfers from a 2-year eligible institution to a 4-year eligible institution may hold the award for a total of 5 years, including the years at both the 2-year eligible institution and the 4-year eligible institution, if the same conditions of subsection (a) of this section are met.
A recipient of an award made under this section shall receive the award for each year indicated in which the recipient is eligible if the recipient signs an agreement at the time of the initial award to:
Commence employment in the State within 1 year after completion of undergraduate studies for 1 year for each year that the scholarship was awarded; and
Repay the State the amounts awarded under this subtitle as set forth in § 18-112 of this title if the recipient does not:
Satisfy the degree requirements of the eligible institution or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle; and
Perform the service obligation for 1 year for each year that the recipient has a scholarship awarded under this subtitle.
The service obligation begins after graduation and cannot be fulfilled prior to graduation from an eligible institution.
On or before May 1 of each year, the Office shall send each Senator and each Delegate a list of individuals in each legislative district to whom Maryland HOPE Scholarships are awarded.
A Maryland HOPE Scholarship may be used for tuition and mandatory fees at any eligible institution.
Funds for the Maryland HOPE Scholarship Program shall be as provided in the annual budget of the Maryland Higher Education Commission by the Governor.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission shall draft a plan to administer a Maryland HOPE Scholarship Program.
The Commission’s plan shall include:
A 3–year schedule, beginning July 1, 2000, for the progressive implementation of the Maryland HOPE Scholarship Award to all eligible students; and
A priority list of the applicable fields of study which focuses on such factors as:
Economic need of the State;
Employment shortage areas of the State; and
Training and education capacity of the higher education institutions in Maryland.
The priority list shall be created in consultation with the appropriate advisory boards of the Commission, the Department of Commerce, and representatives of higher education and private industry.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission shall submit the plan for the implementation of the Maryland HOPE Scholarship Program to the Governor and the Legislative Policy Committee of the General Assembly by October 30, 1999.