Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 18-303.3

Redline — January 1, 2024 → current.View current text →

Current — January 1, 2026

As of January 1, 2024

(a) A public institution of higher education in the State, or a private nonprofit institution of higher education that is eligible for State aid under § 17–103 of this article, may verify the eligibility of an applicant for, and on verification of the eligibility administer, a Guaranteed Access Grant in accordance with this section.

(b) An institution may verify:

(1) The eligibility of an applicant who:

(i) Is identified by the Office as potentially eligible for a Guaranteed Access Grant under § 18–303 of this subtitle; and

(ii) Applies for admission to the institution; or

(2) The renewal eligibility of a student who:

(i) Received a Guaranteed Access Grant under § 18–303 of this subtitle in the prior award year; and

(ii) Is an admitted student at the institution in the current award year.

(b) An institution may verify:

(1) The eligibility of an applicant who:

(i) Is identified by the Office as potentially eligible for a Guaranteed Access Grant under § 18–303 of this subtitle; and

(ii) Applies for admission to the institution; or

(2) The renewal eligibility of a student who:

(i) Received a Guaranteed Access Grant under § 18–303 of this subtitle in the prior award year; and

(ii) Is an admitted student at the institution in the current award year.

(1) Verify that an applicant qualifies for a Guaranteed Access Grant under the requirements of § 18–303 of this subtitle;

(2) Evaluate the applicant’s income eligibility criteria using federal standards for verification and in accordance with the income eligibility criteria established by the Office;

(3) Maintain records used by the institution to determine the eligibility of applicants for a period of 5 years after the end date of the award year associated with the student’s last award; and

(4) Provide the Commission with an audit, in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission, to show that awards verified and administered under this section have been made properly.

(1) Verify that an applicant qualifies for a Guaranteed Access Grant under the requirements of § 18–303 of this subtitle;

(2) Evaluate the applicant’s income eligibility criteria using federal standards for verification and in accordance with the income eligibility criteria established by the Office;

(3) Maintain records used by the institution to determine the eligibility of applicants for a period of 5 years after the end date of the award year associated with the student’s last award; and

(4) Provide the Commission with an audit, in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission, to show that awards verified and administered under this section have been made properly.

(d) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a verification obtained by an applicant under subsection (b) of this section may be used at any eligible institution described under § 18–305 of this subtitle.

(2) The amount of the Guaranteed Access Grant awarded to an applicant may be adjusted in accordance with the cost of attendance at the institution at which the applicant uses the award.

§18–303.4. NOT IN EFFECT

** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2025 PER CHAPTER 634 OF 2023 **

(a) (1) Beginning when financial aid information is available each year, but not later than October 1 each year, the Office shall compile and certify lists for the entire State that rank applicants for the Guaranteed Access Grant award by financial need.

(2) Regularly, the Office shall provide to each institution of higher education in the State the lists compiled and certified in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(b) (1) Each institution of higher education shall use the lists provided by the Office in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, and the requirements under §§ 18–303 and 18–304 of this subtitle, to determine the applicants who shall be offered a Guaranteed Access Grant award by the institution and the amount of the award.

(2) The institution shall send the financial aid award notification to an applicant to offer the applicant a Guaranteed Access Grant award.

(d) (1) Each semester, each institution shall submit to the Office a list of the students who were awarded a Guaranteed Access Grant for the semester and the amounts awarded.

(2) The Office shall reimburse each institution for the Guaranteed Access Grant awards on the list submitted in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(e) (1) (i) The Office shall compile and certify lists of students who previously received a Guaranteed Access Grant award and are eligible for a renewal award.

(ii) The Office shall provide to each institution of higher education in the State the lists compiled and certified in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

(2) (i) Each institution of higher education shall use the lists provided by the Office in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, and the requirements under §§ 18–303 and 18–304 of this subtitle, to determine the students who shall be offered a Guaranteed Access Grant renewal award by the institution.

(ii) The institution shall send the financial aid award notification to a student to offer the student a Guaranteed Access Grant renewal award.

(3) The Office shall reimburse each institution for the Guaranteed Access Grant renewal awards made in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(f) The Office shall adopt regulations to implement this section.

Official source: Maryland General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Maryland statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.