1. (a)

   1. (1) Each year the Office shall work with the Department of Human Services to award Scholarships to students to be used at an eligible institution.
   2. (2) The Office and the Department of Human Services shall publicize the availability of the Scholarship, including providing information on the Scholarship to every employee in a targeted position.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The Department of Human Services shall:

      1. (i) Identify and select eligible applicants; and
      2. (ii) Determine the amount of Scholarship awards.
   2. (2) The Department of Human Services shall prioritize selecting applicants for a Scholarship who participated in the Pilot Program for Human Services Careers established under § 2-303 of the Human Services Article.

3. (c) The Office shall:

   1. (1) Award Scholarships to applicants selected by the Department of Human Services in the amounts determined by the Department of Human Services; and
   2. (2) Provide oversight related to the service obligation of the Scholarship.

4. (d) A Scholarship recipient shall repay the Office the funds received under this subtitle as set forth in § 18-112 of this title if the recipient does not:

   1. (1) Satisfy the degree requirements of the eligible course of study or program or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle; or
   2. (2) Perform the service obligation after graduation.

5. (e) The amount to be repaid for failure to perform the service obligation shall be:

   1. (1) Equal to the total amount of funds received; or
   2. (2) As determined by the Commission.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The Scholarship is nonrefundable.
   2. (2) The amount of the Scholarship shall be reduced if the total amount of scholarship funds and additional resources exceeds tuition and mandatory fees.

Added by Acts 2023, c. 100, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 426, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2025, c. 142, § 1, eff. April 22, 2025.