Washington County - Institutions of Higher Education - Dually Enrolled Students

SB 478 expands eligibility for two financial aid programs at Washington County institutions of higher education. It amends Maryland law to include homeschool students and nonpublic secondary school students in Washington County as "dually enrolled students," directly affecting these students and their access to the Part-Time Grant Program and Early College Access Grant. The bill updates definitions in education codes to cover these groups, ensuring they qualify for tuition support and grants previously available only to public school students. County boards must still cover 75% of tuition costs for eligible students under existing agreements, with periodic review options for schools and colleges. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.