Program earmarks $15 million in need-based tuition aid, more than doubles current funding levels

The Maryland General Assembly approved HB 16 – Community Colleges – Near Completers and Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships, legislation that would more than double state scholarship money available to low-income community college students late Monday night, with just minutes remaining in the 2018 legislative session. In order to be eligible for the program, students must be Maryland residents, recently graduated from high school, meet certain G.P.A., income, and other requirements, and attend community college full-time.

HB 16 would apply to students who enroll in community college in the fall of 2019. The bill currently awaits the Governor’s signature.

According to a MACC press release:

“This program will be a game-changer for many of our students, we certainly hope Governor Hogan signs it,” said Dr. Bernie Sadusky, Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges. “MACC congratulates the 2018 legislature for its leadership and investment in Maryland’s economic future by passing a program to help more Marylanders prepare for a rapidly changing labor market.”

By 2020, 69% of Maryland jobs will require a postsecondary education according to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce*. About 37% of Maryland adults lack any postsecondary education.

Across the U.S., there are currently over 200 College Promise programs in 44 states. These programs motivate students to do well in high school, remove barriers to a postsecondary education, and can expedite entrance to the middle class through preparation for well-paying careers.

Read the full press release for more information.