There is a program of Delegate Scholarships in this State that are awarded under this subtitle. A scholarship awarded under this subtitle may be used at: An eligible institution for a program of undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies; An accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional institution outside the State, if the applicant: Will be studying in an academic area that is not offered in a program that is accredited by a national accrediting association approved by the United States Department of Education in any institution in this State; Is disabled and will be studying at an institution outside the State that makes special provisions for disabled students that are not available to the applicant at an institution in the State; or Is an active service member or the spouse of an active service member who is domiciled in this State; and A private career school within the State that is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission under § 11–202 of this article and that is accredited by a national accrediting association that is approved by the United States Department of Education. Money appropriated to the Commission for scholarships awarded under this section that is not used by the end of the fiscal year shall be retained by the Commission for use by the awarding Delegate in the Delegate Scholarship Program during subsequent fiscal years.

Each member of the House of Delegates may select the recipients of the scholarships on any basis that the Delegate considers appropriate. A member of the House of Delegates may select any individual who is eligible for in–State tuition under this article as a recipient of the scholarship.

During each term in office, each Delegate may award the equivalent of four 4–year full–time scholarships, which may be awarded for either 1–, 2–, 3–, or 4–year periods. Each scholarship pays the tuition and mandatory fees at any eligible institution. The annual amount of a scholarship at a public or private institution or any graduate or professional program may not exceed the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees of an undergraduate program 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.

A Delegate may award two part–time scholarships for each full–time scholarship available. A part–time scholarship may not be for more than twice as many years as a full–time scholarship. Each recipient of a part–time scholarship shall carry at least 6 semester hours of courses each semester in a program leading to a degree. On request from an applicant of the scholarship with a documented disability, the Maryland Higher Education Commission may waive the requirement in subsection (c) of this section.

Each recipient of a full-time Delegate Scholarship may use the scholarship to attend summer school. The term of a full-time Delegate Scholarship shall be shortened by one-half year for each summer of use. The amount used for summer school may not exceed one-half of the value of the award for the next academic year.

As an alternative to the scholarship awards authorized by §§ 18–503 through 18–505 of this subtitle, and subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, during each year in office each Delegate may award scholarships in a total amount equal to four times the tuition and mandatory fees for a full–time undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus for the academic year commencing in that year. A scholarship award under subsection (a) of this section: May not be for an amount less than $200 or more than one–half of the total amount of scholarships authorized by subsection (a) of this section for that year; Shall be used at an eligible institution; May be used by: A graduate, undergraduate, or professional student; A student at a private career school within the State that is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission under § 11–202 of this article and that is accredited by a national accrediting association that is approved by the United States Department of Education; or A student who is currently enrolled or was enrolled in the last 2 years in a certificate or license program, course, or sequence of courses at a community college that leads to certification or licensure as reimbursement for educational expenses that are defined by the Office and include tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board; and To the extent it is not used by the student, shall be recredited to the Delegate’s scholarship account and may be awarded in the next 12 months by that Delegate to another student pursuant to this section.

Beginning in fiscal year 1996, each Delegate may authorize the Office to award all or a portion of the funds authorized under this subtitle to eligible recipients of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award who reside in the Delegate’s legislative district. In the event that the total number of eligible recipients of a Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award who reside in the Delegate’s legislative district is insufficient to utilize the total amount of funds available to the Delegate for any fiscal year, the Office of Student Financial Assistance may, with the consent of the Delegate, award the unused funds to other eligible recipients throughout the State.