1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b) “Eligible institution” means a:

   1. (1) Public senior higher education institution in the State that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission and has a department, school, or college of education; or

   2. (2) Private nonprofit institution of higher education in the State that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission, has a department, school, or college of education, and agrees to provide a matching grant to an undergraduate or graduate student, as appropriate, who receives a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship in the lesser of:

      1. (i) 100% of the annual cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus; or
      2. (ii) 50% of the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the private nonprofit institution of higher education.

3. (c)

   1. (1) “Service obligation” means to teach full time in the State as a teacher in a Maryland public school or a public prekindergarten program:

      1. (i) That is in a high-needs school, as identified by the Department; or
      2. (ii) In a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators, as identified by the Department.
   2. (2) “Service obligation” does not mean employment as teaching assistants, volunteer service, paid fellowships, or internships.

Added by Acts 1999, c. 704, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 1999, c. 705, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2002, c. 410, § 1, eff. June 1, 2002; Acts 2011, c. 277, § 1, eff. June 1, 2011; Acts 2014, c. 542, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014; Acts 2014, c. 543, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014; Acts 2016, c. 25, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2016; Acts 2018, c. 361, § 1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2023, c. 627, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.