(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Eligible institution” means a:
(1) Public senior higher education institution in the State that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission and has a department, school, or college of education; or
(2) Private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission, has a department, school, or college of education, and agrees to provide a matching grant to an undergraduate or graduate student, as appropriate, who receives a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship in the lesser of:
(i) 100% of the annual cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus; or
(ii) 50% of the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the private nonprofit institution of higher education.
(c) (1) “Service obligation” means to teach full time in the State as a teacher in a Maryland public school or a public prekindergarten program:
(i) That is in a high–needs school, as identified by the Department; or
(ii) In a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators, as identified by the Department.
(2) “Service obligation” does not mean employment as teaching assistants, volunteer service, paid fellowships, or internships.