HARRY HUGHES, Governor                              1865

FOR the purpose of modifying the distinguished scholar
program by increasing the number of scholarships to be
awarded and the amount of each award; and modifying the
eligibility requirements.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Education

Section 18-1101, 18-1102, 18-1103, and 18-1104

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1978 Volume and 1979 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Education

18-1101.

There is a distinguished scholar program of [100] 300
scholarships to be awarded by the State Scholarship Board to
residents of the State in the manner provided in this
subtitle for use at postsecondary institutions of higher
education in the State.

18-1102.

(a) The Board shall annually select the [100] 300
secondary school students who have the greatest potential
for academic success in higher education as determined by
criteria established by the Board and offer scholarships to
these students to be used at any Maryland postsecondary
institution of their choice, if they meet the following
qualifications:

(1)  QUALIFY ACADEMICALLY AS FOLLOWS:

[(1)] (I) Have a secondary school

transcript indicating    an overall academic grade point

average of at least    3.7 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent

grade point average[.];   OR

(II) ARE A FINALIST OF THE NATIONAL MERIT
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OR THE ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION.

(2)  Have matriculated at a postsecondary
educational institution in the State.

(3)  Qualify as a Maryland resident.

(B) THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD SHALL SELECT THE
RECIPIENTS AS FOLLOWS: