# Education (GED)

## Title 18. Student Financial Assistance

### Subtitle 3. Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards Program

#### Section 18-301

(a) There is a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Program of Educational Excellence Awards in this State that are awarded under this subtitle.

(b) The Program shall consist of the following types of awards:

  (1) Guaranteed Access Grants that are awarded to the neediest students to ensure that 100 percent of educational costs, as defined by regulations adopted by the Commission, are paid; and

  (2) Educational Assistance Grants that are awarded to low and moderate income students to assist in paying educational costs, as defined by regulations adopted by the Commission.

#### Section 18-302

The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall publicize the availability of Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards.

#### Section 18-303

(a) Subject to subsection (e) of this section, each recipient of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award shall:

  (1) Be accepted for admission in the regular undergraduate program at an eligible institution or be enrolled in a 2-year associate degree program in which the course work is acceptable for transfer credit for an accredited baccalaureate program in an eligible institution;

  (2) Except as provided in Sec. 18-303.2 of this subtitle, be a resident of this State;

  (3) Demonstrate a definite financial need to:

    (i) For an Educational Assistance Grant, the Office; or

    (ii) For a Guaranteed Access Grant, the Office or an institution of higher education that complies with Sec. 18-303.3 of this subtitle; and

  (4) Accept any other conditions attached to the award.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each recipient of a Guaranteed Access Grant shall:

  (1) Have completed high school or, failing to do so, on the recommendation of the recipient's high school principal, provide evidence satisfactory to the Office of extenuating circumstances;

  (2) Begin college within 6 years of completing high school or, failing to do so, provide evidence satisfactory to the Office of extenuating circumstances;

  (3) Be under the age of 26 years at the time of receiving the first award;

  (4) Enroll in college as a full-time student;

  (5) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, have an annual family income below a poverty index determined by the Commission; and

  (6) Satisfy any additional criteria the Commission may establish.

(c)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual who has successfully obtained a high school diploma by examination under Sec. 11-808 of the Labor and Employment Article is exempt from the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

  (2) An individual described under paragraph (1) of this subsection is eligible for a Guaranteed Access Grant if the individual:

    (i) Has scored a passing score of at least 145 per module on the diploma by examination;

    (ii) Begins college within 6 years of achieving the score described under item (i) of this paragraph or, failing to do so, provides evidence satisfactory to the Office of extenuating circumstances;

    (iii) Is under the age of 26 years at the time of receiving the first award;

    (iv) Enrolls in college as a full-time student; and

    (v) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, has an annual family income below a poverty index determined by the Commission.

(d)

  (1) To determine the annual family income eligibility of an applicant for a Guaranteed Access Grant, the Office or an institution of higher education that complies with Sec. 18-303.3 of this subtitle may not consider an amount received by the applicant as an earned income credit under Sec. 32 of the Internal Revenue Code.

  (2) When awarding a Guaranteed Access Grant to a student who prequalified for the award under subsection (e)(1) or (2) of this section, the Commission shall use the annual family income determination used when the student prequalified.

(e)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a student in grade 7 or grade 8 who applies and qualifies for a Guaranteed Access Grant on the basis of financial need as established by the Commission shall prequalify for a Guaranteed Access Grant to be used at the time of enrollment in an institution of higher education by agreeing in writing, as a secondary and undergraduate student, to:

    (i) Satisfy the attendance policy of the applicable school;

    (ii) Provide information required by the Commission or the State Board of Education;

    (iii) Apply for admission to an institution of higher education during the student's senior year of high school;

    (iv) Complete and file on a timely basis applications for federal student aid for each year that the student plans to enroll in postsecondary education;

    (v) Participate in the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program established in Sec. 18-303.1 of this subtitle until the student graduates from high school and matriculates at an institution of higher education;

    (vi) Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent; and

    (vii) Satisfy any other program requirements set by the Office, the Commission, the State Board of Education, or the State Department of Education.

  (2) A student in grade 9 or grade 10 shall prequalify for a Guaranteed Access Grant to be used at the time of enrollment in an institution of higher education if the student:

    (i) Otherwise meets the conditions of paragraph (1) of this subsection; and

    (ii)

      (1) Is eligible for free or reduced priced meals; or

      (2) Attends a school that participates in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision and the student is identified by:

      (A) Direct certification; or

      (B) Income information provided by the family of the student to the local school system on an alternative form developed by the Department.

#### Section 18-303.1

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Fund" means the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program Fund.

  (3) "Program" means the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program.

(b) The Commission, in collaboration with the Department, county boards of education, county superintendents, and institutions of higher education, shall administer the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program.

(c) The Program shall provide guidance and services to students who qualify for a Guaranteed Access Grant in accordance with Sec. 18-303(e) of this subtitle and students who qualify to receive free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Program to assist the students in successfully:

  (1) Completing a college preparatory curriculum;

  (2) Graduating from high school;

  (3) Matriculating at an institution of higher education as defined in Sec. 18-303 of this subtitle; and

  (4) Making timely progress to complete a degree program.

(d)

  (1) The Commission shall:

    (i) In collaboration with the Department, publicize the Program through community outreach and marketing materials, including posting lists of the nonprofit organizations selected to provide services and the local school systems and cities in which the Program is located;

    (ii) Award grants to nonprofit organizations to administer the Program;

    (iii) Solicit applications from nonprofit organizations to administer the Program in local school systems; and

    (iv) Give priority to applications:

      (1) From Maryland-based nonprofit organizations; and

      (2) That include business and institution of higher education partners.

  (2) The Department shall assist the Commission with the review of applications and the selection of nonprofit organizations to administer the Program in local school systems.

  (3) The Program may continue to provide services to students:

    (i) When they attend an institution of higher education; or

    (ii) Who have participated in the Program for at least 1 full year and relocate to another county in the State that does not participate in the Program.

(e) In accordance with subsection (c) of this section, the services to be provided to students participating in the Program shall include:

  (1) A high school graduation plan;

  (2) Summer work or internship opportunities;

  (3) Financial aid literacy assistance, including informing students of available sources of financial aid and how to leverage federal, State, and institutional aid at specified institutions to make higher education affordable;

  (4) Career interest assessments;

  (5) Mentorship and one-on-one counseling;

  (6) Visits to college campuses and workplaces;

  (7) An intensive summer bridge or matriculation assistance program for students entering an institution of higher education directly from high school; and

  (8) A plan to matriculate and graduate from an institution of higher education.

(f) A nonprofit organization that receives a grant to provide the guidance and services required under subsection (e) of this section may utilize:

  (1) Postsecondary students receiving work-study assistance at Maryland institutions of higher education; and

  (2) Secondary students in 11th and 12th grades who are successfully completing high school graduation requirements.

(g)

  (1) For fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Program.

  (2) The Commission shall distribute grants to nonprofit organizations that:

    (i) Are selected in accordance with subsection (d) of this section; and

    (ii) Will administer the Program in local school systems in which at least 50% of the students as a percentage of full-time equivalent students as defined in Sec. 5-201 of this article are eligible to receive a free lunch under the National School Lunch Program in the 2015-2016 school year, as identified by the Department.

(h)

  (1) There is a Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program Fund.

  (2) The purpose of the Fund is to provide funds for the administration of the Program.

  (3) The Commission shall administer the Fund.

  (4) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to Sec. 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

  (5) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

  (6) The Fund consists of:

    (i) Money appropriated in the State budget for the Program;

    (ii) Interest earnings of the Fund; and

    (iii) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.

  (7) The Fund may be used only for administering the Program.

  (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 interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.

  (9) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

(i) The Commission may adopt regulations necessary to implement this section.

(j) On or before December 1, 2020, and each December 1 thereafter, the Commission and the Department shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on the implementation of the Program, including:

  (1) The number of students from each local school system who were prequalified for the Guaranteed Access Grant during each year of the Program;

  (2) The race, disability status, and English language learner status of each participating student who prequalified for the Guaranteed Access Grant each year of the Program;

  (3) The progress of each participating student through the Program, including high school graduation, institution of higher education matriculation and retention rates, and, if applicable, institution of higher education graduation rates;

  (4) The potential for allocating additional funds for longitudinal data collection of the number of students matriculating to institutions of higher education each year, the number of students receiving retention services each year, and postsecondary outcomes for those two categories of students;

  (5) The amount and quality of services provided by nonprofit organizations to participating students, including the use of college work-study students and high school students as mentors and counselors;

  (6) The nonprofit organizations that received grants under the Program, including any other entities that provided services such as institutions of higher education, the business community, and local schools or local school systems;

  (7) The amount of financial aid, in addition to the Guaranteed Access Grant, that participating students received each year that the students were enrolled in an institution of higher education; and

  (8) Findings and recommendations on the success of the Program and whether funding for the Program should be continued or expanded.

#### Section 18-303.2

Notwithstanding Sec. 18-303(a)(2) of this subtitle, an individual is eligible for an award under this subtitle if the individual is eligible for in-State tuition under this article.

#### Section 18-303.3

(a) A public institution of higher education in the State, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education that is eligible for State aid under Sec. 17-103 of this article, may verify the eligibility of an applicant for, and on verification of the eligibility administer, a Guaranteed Access Grant in accordance with this section.

(b) An institution may verify:

  (1) The eligibility of an applicant who:

    (i) Is identified by the Office as potentially eligible for a Guaranteed Access Grant under Sec. 18-303 of this subtitle; and

    (ii) Applies for admission to the institution; or

  (2) The renewal eligibility of a student who:

    (i) Received a Guaranteed Access Grant under Sec. 18-303 of this subtitle in the prior award year; and

    (ii) Is an admitted student at the institution in the current award year.

(c) An institution shall:

  (1) Verify that an applicant qualifies for a Guaranteed Access Grant under the requirements of Sec. 18-303 of this subtitle;

  (2) Evaluate the applicant's income eligibility criteria using federal standards for verification and in accordance with the income eligibility criteria established by the Office;

  (3) Maintain records used by the institution to determine the eligibility of applicants for a period of 5 years after the end date of the award year associated with the student's last award; and

  (4) Provide the Commission with an audit, in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission, to show that awards verified and administered under this section have been made properly.

(d)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a verification obtained by an applicant under subsection (b) of this section may be used at any eligible institution described under Sec. 18-305 of this subtitle.

  (2) The amount of the Guaranteed Access Grant awarded to an applicant may be adjusted in accordance with the cost of attendance at the institution at which the applicant uses the award.

#### Section 18-303.4

(a) This section applies beginning with the 2029-2030 financial aid award year.

(b)

  (1) Beginning when financial aid information is available each year, but not later than October 1 each year, the Office shall compile and certify lists for the entire State that rank applicants for the Guaranteed Access Grant award by financial need.

  (2) Regularly, the Office shall provide to each institution of higher education in the State the lists compiled and certified in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(c)

  (1) Each institution of higher education shall use the lists provided by the Office in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, and the requirements under Sec.Sec. 18-303 and 18-304 of this subtitle, to determine the applicants who shall be offered a Guaranteed Access Grant award by the institution and the amount of the award.

  (2) The institution shall send the financial aid award notification to an applicant to offer the applicant a Guaranteed Access Grant award.

(d) An applicant may accept the offer of a Guaranteed Access Grant award from an institution of higher education.

(e)

  (1) Each semester, each institution of higher education shall submit to the Office a list of the students who were awarded a Guaranteed Access Grant for the semester and the amounts awarded.

  (2) The Office shall reimburse each institution for the Guaranteed Access Grant awards on the list submitted in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(f)

  (1)

    (i) The Office shall compile and certify lists of students who previously received a Guaranteed Access Grant award and are eligible for a renewal award.

    (ii) The Office shall provide to each institution of higher education in the State the lists compiled and certified in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

  (2)

    (i) Each institution of higher education shall use the lists provided by the Office in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, and the requirements under Sec.Sec. 18-303 and 18-304 of this subtitle, to determine the students who shall be offered a Guaranteed Access Grant renewal award by the institution.

    (ii) The institution shall send the financial aid award notification to a student to offer the student a Guaranteed Access Grant renewal award.

  (3) The Office shall reimburse each institution of higher education for the Guaranteed Access Grant renewal awards made in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(g) The Office shall adopt regulations to implement this section.

#### Section 18-304

(a) In this section, "academic year" means:

  (1) The fall, spring, and summer semesters; and

  (2) Any semester shorter in length than the term of a regular semester.

(b)

  (1) An institution of higher education shall determine the amount of each Guaranteed Access Award based on the financial need of the applicant.

  (2) In determining the amount of financial need, the institution of higher education shall consider regional cost-of-living differences.

  (3) In determining the percent of financial need used to calculate an award for a community college student receiving a Guaranteed Access Award, the institution of higher education shall use not less than 60%.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award may be awarded in $100 increments.

  (2)

    (i) The amount of an Educational Assistance Grant made to a student in the student's first 2 academic years of enrollment may not be less than $400 or more than $3,000.

    (ii) Beginning in the third academic year of enrollment and for each academic year thereafter:

      (1) If the student successfully completed at least 30 credits in the prior academic year, the amount of an Educational Assistance Grant made to a student may not be less than $400 or more than $3,000; or

      (2) If the student successfully completed at least 24 but less than 30 credits in the prior academic year, the award amount shall be equal to the amount the student would have otherwise received multiplied by the ratio of the number of credits successfully completed divided by 30.

  (3)

    (i) All applicants who fulfill the requirements established in Sec. 18-303(a) and (b) of this subtitle shall receive a Guaranteed Access Grant.

    (ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, the amount of a Guaranteed Access Grant made to a student in the student's first 2 academic years of enrollment shall be equal to 100 percent of the student's financial need as determined by the institution of higher education, not to exceed 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.

    (iii) Except as provided in subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, beginning in the third academic year of enrollment and for each academic year thereafter:

      (1) If the student successfully completed at least 30 credits in the prior academic year, the award amount shall be equal to 100 percent of the student's financial need as determined by the institution of higher education, not to exceed 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; or

      (2) If the student successfully completed at least 24 but less than 30 credits in the prior academic year, the award amount shall be equal to 100 percent multiplied by the ratio of the number of credits successfully completed divided by 30.

    (iv) If a recipient of a Guaranteed Access Grant becomes ineligible because of a change in family income, the recipient shall remain eligible for the full award for the full award term applicable to the recipient under this subtitle if the recipient remains eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant.

(d) Each institution of higher education shall include in the financial aid award notification to a student the availability of the Educational Assistance Award administered by the Office, including:

  (1) A description of the Office and the Educational Assistance Award;

  (2) Information on Educational Assistance Award timelines; and

  (3) A point of contact at the Office for students.

(e) Beginning in fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $112,000,000 for Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards made under this subtitle.

#### Section 18-305

(a) A Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award may be used:

  (1) At a degree granting institution of higher education, an eligible institution with an associate degree program that provides transfer credit for an accredited baccalaureate program, or a hospital diploma school for training registered nurses if the curriculum is approved by the Commission; and

  (2) For educational expenses as defined by the Commission, including:

    (i) Tuition and fees; and

    (ii) Room and board.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award may be used at a school in another state if:

  (1) There is a reciprocal agreement as provided in Sec. 18-308 of this subtitle; and

  (2) The school meets requirements of subsection (a)(1) of this section.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award may be used at a degree granting institution of higher education that is not in the State if:

  (1) The applicant is a deaf or hearing impaired student attending an institution of higher education that makes special provisions for deaf and hearing impaired students; and

  (2) Comparable special provisions are not available to the student at an institution of higher education in the State.

(d) The Office may not award more than 10% of the funds available for each of the types of grants awarded under this subtitle for use by students attending schools in another state and the District of Columbia.

#### Section 18-306

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, each recipient of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award may hold the award for 4 years if the recipient:

  (1) Continues to be a resident of this State;

  (2) Continues to be a full-time student at an eligible institution and takes at least 12 semester hours of courses each semester, or its equivalent as determined by the Office;

  (3) In the judgment of the institution, is making satisfactory progress toward a degree; and

  (4) Maintains the standards of the institution.

(b) Each recipient of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award who is enrolled in an associate degree program as permitted in Sec. 18-303(a)(1) of this subtitle may hold the award for 2 years if the same conditions of subsection (a) of this section are met.

(c) Each recipient of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award may hold the award for a 5th year if the recipient continues to satisfy the requirements under subsection (a) of this section and:

  (1) Is enrolled in an academic program that, as determined by the institution, requires 5 years to complete; or

  (2) Provides evidence, satisfactory to the Office, of extenuating financial, academic, or other circumstances that prevent the recipient from completing the academic program in 4 years.

(d) Each recipient of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award who is enrolled in an associate degree program as permitted in Sec. 18-303(a)(1) of this subtitle may hold the award for a 3rd year if the recipient:

  (1) Continues to satisfy the requirements under subsection (a) of this section; and

  (2) Provides evidence, satisfactory to the Office, of extenuating financial, academic, or other circumstances that prevent the recipient from completing the academic program in 2 years.

#### Section 18-307

(a)

  (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Office shall compile and certify lists for the entire State that rank applicants by financial need for the Educational Assistance Award.

  (2) The Office shall award eligible students the Educational Assistance Award based on financial need from any remaining funding for the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards.

(b) All funds for annual initial grants for the Educational Assistance Award shall be awarded from the statewide list on the basis of greatest financial need.

(c)

  (1)

    (i) If State funds are available for this purpose, institutions of higher education in the State may provide Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards to students who otherwise meet the requirements for receiving a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award but who apply after the March 1 deadline or have other extenuating circumstances.

    (ii) Each year the Commission shall transfer at least $2 million of the funds available under Sec. 18-107(b) of this title for the purposes of this subsection.

  (2) The Commission shall:

    (i) Establish guidelines for the awarding of Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards by the institutions of higher education to the students; and

    (ii) Adopt regulations necessary for the implementation of this subsection.

  (3)

    (i) The Commission shall allocate available funds to institutions of higher education based on the proportion of State residents enrolled at each institution who receive federal Pell Grants.

    (ii) An institution of higher education that receives funds under this paragraph shall provide the Commission with an annual audit describing the disposition of the funds.

#### Section 18-308

(a) In this section, "school" means an institution that meets the requirements of Sec. 18-305(a)(1) of this subtitle.

(b) The Office may enter into reciprocal scholarship agreements with other states. However, the Office shall give priority to entering into reciprocal agreements with contiguous and nearby states.

(c) If scholarships are awarded to students for use in schools in other states, the total value of all of these awards may not be more than 10 percent of the total funds budgeted for the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award Program.

#### Section 18-309

(a) For any fiscal year, if the funds appropriated for the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award Program are insufficient to satisfy fully all awards as calculated under Sec. 18-304 of this subtitle, the amount paid to each recipient of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award shall be a percentage of that award, as determined in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission that establish a schedule of reductions for this purpose.

(b)

  (1) Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award grants calculated under Sec. 18-304 of this subtitle that are not used by the recipients shall be retained by the Commission for use in the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award Program for the next fiscal year.

  (2) All funds retained in the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award Program as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be used to award scholarships to students during subsequent fiscal years as provided by this title and may not be used for administrative expenses.

#### Section 18-310

(a) Funds for the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award Program shall be as provided in the annual budget of the Commission by the Governor.

(b)

  (1) In this section, "Fund" means the Educational Excellence Fund.

  (2) There is an Educational Excellence Fund in the Commission.

  (3) The Commission shall administer the Fund.

  (4) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to Sec. 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

  (5) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

  (6) The Commission:

    (i) May accept any gift or grant from any person or corporation for the Fund;

    (ii) Shall use any gift or grant that it receives to support an early intervention program to identify students eligible for the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award Program and prepare them for college; and

    (iii) Shall deposit any gift or grant that it receives for the Fund with the State Treasurer for use only in the early intervention program.

  (7)

    (i) At the end of the fiscal year, the Commission shall prepare an annual report on the Fund that includes an accounting of all financial receipts and expenditures to and from the Fund.

    (ii) The Commission shall submit a copy of the report to the General Assembly as provided under Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article.

---

Md. Code Ann., Educ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)