On January 25, 2022, Associate Director Brianna January testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 24 Cybersecurity Scholarship Program – Alterations and Maryland Cybersecurity Loan Assistance Repayment Program – Establishment. This bill expands eligibility for the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program; increases the number of years a recipient may hold an award, allows part-time students to qualify; importantly, allows employment with county government to count toward the scholarship program’s public service work requirement; and establishes the Maryland Cybersecurity Loan Assistance Repayment Program to incentive cybersecurity students to pursue work with in the public sector, again, including with county governments.
From the MACo testimony:
HB 24 creates a pathway for cybersecurity professionals to pursue careers with local government in two ways: by requiring that the number of years of scholarship be equivalent to time spent working in public service, and through establishing a student loan repayment assistance program for cybersecurity staff employed in local government. The bill specifies that eligible service includes employment with a local education agency, public high school, public institution of higher education, community college, or unit of state government, county government, or city or municipal government.
FHB 24 creates a pathway for cybersecurity professionals to pursue careers with local government in two ways: by requiring that the number of years of scholarship be equivalent to time spent working in public service, and through establishing a student loan repayment assistance program for cybersecurity staff employed in local government. The bill specifies that eligible service includes employment with a local education agency, public high school, public institution of higher education, community college, or unit of state government, county government, or city or municipal government.
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