In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Eligible county” means: Baltimore City; Baltimore County; or Prince George’s County. “Eligible institution” means a public higher education institution in the State. “Scholarship” means the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers Scholarship established under this subtitle. “Service obligation” means to work in a targeted position for a minimum period of time, as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, during the 8–year period immediately following the awarding of a Scholarship. The service obligation period shall be 15 months for each academic year that the Scholarship is awarded, regardless of the credit hours or semesters completed by the recipient during the academic year. “Service obligation” includes work in a targeted position while a student is attending an eligible institution. “Targeted positions” means the following positions in the Department of Human Services in an eligible county: Child Support Specialist Series; Family Investment Specialist Series; Family Support Worker Series; Family SVS Caseworker Series; and Social Worker Series.

There is a Pilot Program for Human Services Careers Scholarship. The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide tuition assistance to students who are enrolled in a program at an eligible institution that will enable the student to obtain a credential or degree that is necessary to work in or further a career in a targeted position in the Department of Human Services. A Scholarship recipient shall: Be a Maryland resident or a graduate of a Maryland high school; Be accepted for admission or currently enrolled at an eligible institution in a program that will enable the recipient to obtain a credential or degree that is necessary to work in or further a career in a targeted position in the Department of Human Services; Enter into a written agreement with the Commission, in the form and manner prescribed by the Office, to meet the conditions of the Scholarship under this subtitle; Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent; and Satisfy any additional criteria established by the Office or the Department of Human Services. The annual scholarship award shall be 100% of the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees at the eligible institution.

Each year the Office shall work with the Department of Human Services to award Scholarships to students to be used at an eligible institution. The Office and the Department of Human Services shall publicize the availability of the Scholarship, including providing information on the Scholarship to every employee in a targeted position. The Department of Human Services shall: Identify and select eligible applicants; and Determine the amount of Scholarship awards. The Department of Human Services shall prioritize selecting applicants for a Scholarship who participated in the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers established under § 2–303 of the Human Services Article. The Office shall: Award Scholarships to applicants selected by the Department of Human Services in the amounts determined by the Department of Human Services; and Provide oversight related to the service obligation of the Scholarship. A Scholarship recipient shall repay the Office the funds received under this subtitle as set forth in § 18–112 of this title if the recipient does not: Satisfy the degree requirements of the eligible course of study or program or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle; or Perform the service obligation after graduation. The amount to be repaid for failure to perform the service obligation shall be: Equal to the total amount of funds received; or As determined by the Commission. The Scholarship is nonrefundable. The amount of the Scholarship shall be reduced if the total amount of scholarship funds and additional resources exceeds tuition and mandatory fees.

Funding for the Scholarship shall be as provided in the State budget.