There is a Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship Program, which is administered by the Office pursuant to Education Article, §18-605, Annotated Code of Maryland. A purpose of the program is to further the State’s compelling interests in educating diverse student bodies and in achieving diversity in ROTC programs. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Commission” means the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “Director” means the Executive Director of the Office. “Education expenses” means: Tuition; Mandatory fees; and Costs of room and board. “Eligible institution” means Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, or University of Maryland Eastern Shore. “Full-time” means enrollment at an eligible institution in: At least 12 credits per semester in a certificate or undergraduate degree program; or At least 9 credits per semester in a graduate certificate, graduate degree, or doctoral degree program. “Minority student or a student who is a member of another group historically underrepresented in Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs”: Means a student designated by the institution, based upon the institution’s holistic review of the applicant, as a student who contributes to diversity within ROTC programs; and May include a student of any race, ethnicity, disability, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or geographic representation. “Office” means the Office of Student Financial Assistance within the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “Part-time” means enrollment at an eligible institution in: At least 6 credits but fewer than 12 credits per semester in a certificate or undergraduate degree program; or At least 6 credits but fewer than 9 credits per semester in a graduate certificate, graduate degree, or doctoral degree program. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Higher Education. “Scholarship” means a Richard W. Collins III Scholarship under this chapter. Subject to the State budget, the Office annually shall determine a student’s eligibility to receive a scholarship. An applicant is eligible for a scholarship if the applicant: Is enrolled full-time or part-time at an eligible institution; Is a member of a ROTC program; Has been identified by the institution as a minority student or a student who is a member of another group historically underrepresented in Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) programs; Has been determined to be eligible for in-State tuition by the institution; and Timely files an application and any required supporting documentation with the Office. A student shall apply annually to the Office to be eligible for a scholarship. Form of Application. An applicant shall apply and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 15. If the applicant is ineligible to submit a FAFSA, but qualifies for in-State tuition under Education Article, Title 15, Annotated Code of Maryland, the applicant shall submit a Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) in lieu of the FAFSA. A student shall submit documentation to the Office confirming that the student is a member of a ROTC program. A student shall submit to the Office an institutional certification form, completed by the applicant’s institution, by a deadline established by the Office, confirming that the applicant is a minority student or a student who is a member of another group historically underrepresented in ROTC programs. An application and FAFSA or MSFAA received by the Office after June 15 may not be considered for an award. If the Office requests additional information from the applicant in order to determine the applicant’s eligibility: The Office shall notify the applicant of the deadline to submit such information; The applicant shall submit the information by the deadline established by the Office; and Information received by the Office after the deadline may not be considered. Subject to Regulation .06 of this chapter, an applicant shall be eligible to renew a scholarship for a subsequent year if the applicant: Timely submits an application under Regulation .04 of this chapter; Continues to meet the requirements of Regulation .03 of this chapter; and Continues to maintain satisfactory academic progress standards as defined by the institution. A recipient may receive a scholarship for a maximum of 4 years. An annual scholarship award shall be in the amount prescribed by the Director, which may not exceed the recipient’s education expenses. The minimum scholarship award amount may not be less than $500 per semester and $1,000 for the academic year. Priority of Scholarship Awards. The Office shall: Give priority to awarding scholarships to applicants with the greatest financial need; Award at least 25 percent of its total annual scholarship budget to students at Bowie State University; and Award the remaining amount of its total annual scholarship budget to students at other eligible institutions. An applicant’s financial need shall be based upon the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on the FAFSA or MSFAA. An applicant’s ranking shall be based on greatest financial need starting with the lowest EFC. Priority for scholarships in the subsequent years shall be given to prior year recipients who remain eligible under this chapter. Recipients shall be notified by the Office through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) of the awards. A recipient shall log on to MDCAPS in order to accept an award, except that, in extenuating circumstances as determined by the Director, a student may accept an award by providing written acceptance to the Office. The Office shall make an award payment to the institution for each semester that the eligible recipient is granted the award. The institution shall certify to the Office, and request payment for all recipients, on a semester basis, on or before: December 15, for the fall semester; and May 15, for the spring semester. An institution that fails to certify and request payment for all recipients on a semester basis under §B of this regulation may not certify recipients for the subsequent semester. Education Article, §§11-105(u), 18-204(c), and 18-605(e), Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: November 18, 2019 (46:23 Md. R. 1066) Regulation .02B amended effective June 29, 2020 (47:13 Md. R. 642); April 19, 2021 (48:8 Md. R. 310) Regulation .03B amended effective April 19, 2021 (48:8 Md. R. 310) Regulation .04 amended effective October 18, 2021 (48:21 Md. R. 890) Regulation .04B, E amended effective April 19, 2021 (48:8 Md. R. 310) Regulation .07A amended effective October 18, 2021 (48:21 Md. R. 890)