There is a 2+2 Transfer Scholarship Program in the State under which scholarships are awarded under this subtitle.

A 2+2 Transfer Scholarship awarded under this subtitle may be used only at a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State.

To qualify for a 2+2 Transfer Scholarship, an applicant shall: Be a resident of the State; Be a student at a community college in the State; Maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale while a student at a community college in the State; Have earned an associate’s degree from a community college in the State by the end of the semester in which the applicant plans to transfer; Be accepted for admission in a degree program at a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State; Intend to enroll in a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State in order to complete a bachelor’s degree program; On or after the fall semester of 2014, enroll as a full–time student in a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State by the fall semester following completion of the associate’s degree; In the case of an individual who is required to register with the Selective Service System, have complied with the registration requirement; Have completed the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Have demonstrated financial need, defined by the Commission; and Accept any other conditions or satisfy any additional criteria that the Commission or the Office may establish.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the annual amount of the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship awarded under this subtitle shall be $1,000. For a student who enrolls in a science, teaching, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or nursing program at a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State, the annual amount of the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship awarded under this subtitle shall be $2,000. A 2+2 Transfer Scholarship may be used for tuition and mandatory fees for 3 years of study, or six semesters of study, whichever is longer. To retain a 2+2 Transfer Scholarship, the recipient shall: Remain a resident of the State; Continue to be enrolled as an undergraduate student in a degree program at a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State; Maintain a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale each academic year the individual is enrolled at a public senior higher education institution or a private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State or provide evidence satisfactory to the Office of extenuating circumstances; and Maintain the standards of the eligible institution that the individual attends.

On or before July 1 of each year, the Office shall send to each member of the Maryland General Assembly a list of individuals in each legislative district to whom 2+2 Transfer Scholarships are awarded.

The Office shall publicize the availability of 2+2 Transfer Scholarships under this subtitle.

Funding for the Program shall be as provided in the State budget. If the State budget does not include at least $2,000,000 for the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship Program in any fiscal year, funds shall be transferred from the Need–based Student Financial Assistance Fund, established under § 18–107 of this title, in an amount that provides a total of at least $2,000,000 to make awards under the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship Program each year.