HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2615

There is a distinguished scholar program of 3 00
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 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:

(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; OR

(III) HAVE SUPERIOR CREATIVE TALENT OR
SKILL IN ART, MUSIC, DANCE, OR THE THEATER, AS DETERMINED BY
AN AUDITION OR PORTFOLIO REVIEW PROCESS ESTABLISHED BY THE
BOARD.

(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:

(1) At least 150 of the 300 awards shall be
granted to superior academic achievers whose secondary
school transcripts through the junior year indicate an
overall academic grade point average of at least 3.7 on a
4.0 scale, or its equivalent grade point average.

(2) No more than 150 of the 300 awards may be
granted to finalists of the National Merit Scholarship
Program or the Achievement Scholarship Program administered
by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

(3) AT LEAST 15 OF THE 300 AWARDS SHALL BE
GRANTED TO SUPERIOR ACHIEVERS IN ART, MUSIC, DANCE, OR THE
THEATER.