Education (Student Financial Aid)

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 700: Higher Education - Public Senior Higher Education Institutions - Direct Admission Program and Study

HB 700 establishes a direct admission program for high school students meeting Maryland's college and career readiness standard (CCR standard) at participating public universities starting in the 2027-2028 academic year. Eligible students - those who meet the CCR standard, complete required courses, and apply during 12th grade - would receive conditional admission without traditional application processes. The Maryland Higher Education Commission would administer the program using its financial aid system and the Common Application, while universities must waive application fees for participants. Participation is voluntary for institutions, which may set additional criteria but must report them annually and verify student eligibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes direct admission for CCR-qualified students, expanding higher education access without traditional applications at public universities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 101: Higher Education - Loan Repayment and Scholarships for Correctional Officers

SB 101 adds correctional officers to Maryland's existing loan repayment and scholarship programs for public safety workers. It expands the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program (Subtitle 37) to allow correctional officers who work in state facilities for at least two years to get help repaying higher education loans. It also creates a new scholarship program (Subtitle 38) for students or current correctional officers pursuing relevant degrees, requiring a five-year service commitment after graduation. The bill directly affects correctional officers statewide by providing financial support for education and career advancement. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands loan repayment/scholarships for correctional officers, directly supporting workforce development in corrections, a core criminal justice component.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarship program and expands loan repayment for correctional officers pursuing higher education, directly funding educational access and supporting students through financial aid.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands loan repayment/scholarships for correctional officers, providing direct financial support tied to employment in public safety, advancing worker benefits and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 7: Higher Education - Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Repeal of Termination Date

SB 7 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the June 30, 2030 cutoff that previously prevented new awards after that date. This change allows the scholarship to be awarded indefinitely to eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents who meet Maryland residency and educational requirements. The bill also removes restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before 2030. The scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition, fees, and room/board at Maryland public universities, requiring a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of full-time study. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals expiration date for veterans' higher education scholarship, enabling indefinite funding and expanding access to educational financial support for eligible veterans and dependents.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals termination date for veterans' scholarship, enabling indefinite awards to eligible veterans and dependents, expanding educational benefit access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 720: Higher Education - Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship - Repeal of Termination Date

HB 720 repeals the expiration date for the Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship, removing the current cutoff of June 30, 2030, for awarding new scholarships and eliminating restrictions on renewing scholarships for recipients who received their initial award before that date. This change directly affects eligible veterans, active service members, or their dependents (spouses, children) who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq conflicts and meet Maryland residency and enrollment requirements at participating institutions. The bill maintains all existing provisions, including the 50% tuition coverage limit, 2.5 GPA requirement, and 5-year full-time renewal period. It ensures the scholarship program continues indefinitely without time-based restrictions on new awards or renewals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals expiration date for veterans' higher education scholarship, extending funding and access to post-secondary education for eligible veterans and dependents.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals expiration date for veterans' scholarship, extending eligibility and renewals for Afghanistan/Iraq conflict veterans and dependents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 142: Maryland Military Department - National Guard - Tuition Assistance

SB 142 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It broadens eligible institutions to include private vocational/trade schools with 50% tuition waivers and adds covered expenses like tools, uniforms, certification fees, and digital resources. Active Guard members (enlisted or commissioned) attending approved institutions can receive 100% coverage for tuition and qualifying training costs, provided they commit to 2-4 years of continued service after course completion. The bill applies to undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and trade courses, with specific provisions if a member's unit disbands.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for National Guard members at vocational/trade schools, increasing educational access and funding for higher education through 100% coverage of tuition and training costs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition assistance for National Guard members (veterans) to include private vocational schools, tools, uniforms, and certification fees, strengthening educational benefits and service support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 285: Higher Education - Scholarships for Correctional Officers

SB 285 expands Maryland's existing scholarship program to include correctional officers. The bill amends state law to add "correctional officers" to the eligibility criteria for the Maryland Police Officers, Probation Agents, and Correctional Officers Scholarship Program, which previously covered only police officers and probation agents. It defines "correctional officer" per Maryland law and allows current or future correctional officers to apply for tuition assistance if they meet residency, enrollment, and service obligation requirements. The scholarship requires recipients to work in the field for at least five years within eight years of graduation or repay funds. This change directly affects correctional officers seeking higher education in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands tuition assistance for correctional officers, directly supporting corrections workforce development within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education scholarships to correctional officers, increasing funding access for a new group under existing program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Higher Education Student Financial Aid

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 232: Maryland Military Department – National Guard – Tuition Assistance

HB 232 expands tuition and training assistance for Maryland National Guard members. It allows full coverage of in-state tuition and new "training assistance" costs (including uniforms, certifications, tools, and digital resources) at more institutions, including recognized vocational, trade, and career schools. Active Guard members attending eligible programs must agree to serve an additional 2 years (for undergraduate/vocational courses) or 4 years (for graduate/professional courses) after completing their studies. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to members certified by the Adjutant General.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition coverage and training assistance for National Guard members at vocational/academic institutions, directly enhancing educational access and opportunity for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition/training assistance for National Guard members (including uniforms/certifications), directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans transitioning from service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 486: Higher Education - Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program - Eligible Institutions

SB 486 expands Maryland's Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in specific graduate programs. It adds UMES as an eligible institution for students enrolled in four programs: Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. This change directly affects UMES students in these fields who previously could not access the scholarship. The bill amends existing law to update the list of qualifying institutions without changing scholarship amounts ($1,000-$5,000 per year) or other program rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands scholarship access for UMES graduate students in specific programs, increasing educational funding and access in higher education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands scholarships for healthcare graduate programs (PA, pharmacy, PT, vet med), directly funding future healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Prescription Drugs

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 273: Higher Education - Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program - Eligibility

SB 273 expands eligibility for Maryland's Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program to include individuals currently eligible for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefit. This change directly affects family members of veterans or military personnel who qualify for Chapter 35 benefits but were previously excluded from the scholarship program. The bill adds a new verification method: applicants can submit a copy of their Chapter 35 eligibility certificate, or school officials can verify their Chapter 35 status if a certificate is unavailable. These updates simplify the process for qualifying individuals to access the scholarship, which supports education costs for dependents of military personnel, veterans, 9/11 survivors, and school employees injured or killed in line of duty.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for veterans' dependents, increasing educational opportunity for higher education recipients under the Conroy Memorial Program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands scholarship eligibility to include veterans' dependents previously excluded under VA Chapter 35, directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Education

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 478: 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state financial aid eligibility for higher education grants, increasing government spending on education programs for more students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to financial aid for homeschool and nonpublic school students in higher education through grant programs95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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