468

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 86

(E) THE RECIPIENT SHALL PAY SIMPLE INTEREST THAT IS EQUAL

TO THE PRIME RATE PLUS 2 PERCENT. THE INTEREST SHALL BE

CALCULATED FROM THE DATE OF THE FIRST PAYMENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
AWARD FOR ANY PORTION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD THAT HAS NOT BEEN
FORGIVEN.

(A) THE RECIPIENT SHALL REPAY THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
THE FUNDS EXPENDED PLUS SIMPLE INTEREST THAT IS EQUAL TO THE
PRIME RATE PLUS 2 PERCENT CALCULATED FROM THE DATE OF THE FIRST
PAYMENT OF THE TUITION ASSISTANCE AWARD FOR ANY PORTION OF THE
AWARD NOT FORGIVEN IF THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT:

(1) COMPLETE THE TEACHER EDUCATION OR CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM; AND

(2) TEACH IN A FIELD OF CRITICAL SHORTAGE IN A PUBLIC
SCHOOL IN THIS STATE FOR A PERIOD OF 1-1/2 YEARS FOR EACH YEAR
THAT THE TUITION ASSISTANCE WAS AWARDED.

(B) (1) THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD SHALL FORGIVE THE
REPAYMENT OF THE TUITION ASSISTANCE AWARD AT THE RATE OF 1 YEAR
FOR EACH YEAR AND ONE-HALF TEAT THE RECIPIENT TEACHES IN THIS
STATE.

(2) A RECIPIENT SHALL BEGIN REPAYMENT AT ANY TIME
DURING THE REQUIRED TEACHING PERIOD THAT THE RECIPIENT IS NO
LONGER A TEACHER IN A FIELD OF CRITICAL SHORTAGE IN A PUBLIC
SCHOOL IN THIS STATE.

(3) A RECIPIENT WHO IS NOT ALREADY A TEACHER AND WHO
LEAVES THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM MAY DELAY REPAYMENT AS LONG
AS THE RECIPIENT REMAINS A FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT.

(4) A RECIPIENT WHO IS ALREADY A TEACHER AND WHO
LEAVES THE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM SHALL BEGIN REPAYMENT AT
THE TIME THE RECIPIENT CEASES TO BE ENROLLED AS A FULL-TIME
STUDENT IN A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN A CRITICAL AREA.

(5) REPAYMENT SHALL BE MADE TO THE STATE WITHIN 6
YEARS AFTER THE REPAYMENT PERIOD BEGINS AND FOLLOW A REPAYMENT
SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD. THE STATE
SCHOLARSHIP BOARD MAY WAIVE OR DEFER PAYMENT IN THE EVENT OF
DISABILITY OR EXTENDED SICKNESS WHICH PREVENTS THE RECIPIENT FROM
FULFILLING THE TEACHING OBLIGATION REQUIRED UNDER 18-403.

18-1405.

(A) THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL PROJECT
ANNUALLY ON A 5-YEAR BASIS THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES FOR EMPLOYMENT
IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND IN AREAS OF CRITICAL
SHORTAGE AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS EXPECTED TO GRADUATE FROM
TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT WOULD QUALIFY THEM TO TEACH IN
THESE AREAS. THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHALL ANNUALLY
CERTIFY TO THE STATE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD THOSE PROGRAMS THAT
CONTINUE TO BE AREAS OF CRITICAL SHORTAGE AS EVIDENCED BY