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. Eligible Institution. “Eligible institution” has the meaning stated in Education Article, §18-2201, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Eligible institution” does not include a private nonprofit institution of higher education that has not timely submitted a Participation Agreement to the Office under this chapter. Extenuating Circumstances. “Extenuating circumstances” means the occurrence of an extraordinary event or condition that prevents a recipient from fulfilling a scholarship requirement. “Extenuating circumstances” may include, but are not limited to: Disability; Serious illness of the student; Pregnancy or adoption; Extreme financial hardship of the students or student’s immediate family; Fulfillment of military service; or Serious illness or death of an immediate family member. “Full-time” means enrollment in: For an undergraduate certificate or degree program, at least 12 credits per semester; or For a graduate certificate or degree program, the number of credits needed for the institution to classify the graduate student as full-time based on the institution’s policy. “Initial participation year” means the academic year following the submission of a Participation Agreement under Regulation .03 of this chapter. “MDCAPS” means the Maryland College Aid Process System maintained by the Office. “Nonresident student” means a student that resides in housing that is privately owned. “Office” means the Office of Student Financial Assistance within the Commission. “Part-time” means enrollment in: For an undergraduate certificate or degree program, at least 1 credit, but fewer than 12 credits; or For a graduate certificate or degree program, the number of credits needed for the institution to classify the graduate student as part-time based on the institution’s policy. “Resident student” means a student who resides in housing that is owned by the institution in which they are enrolled. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Higher Education. “Scholarship” means a Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship under this chapter. Teaching Assistant. “Teaching assistant” means an individual who, regardless of job title, is employed at least 10 hours a week by a school or prekindergarten program to provide instructional assistance to a teacher in a classroom setting. “Teaching assistant” does not include a volunteer.