1. A. Recipients shall seek eligible employment aggressively within the State.

2. B. A recipient may request that the service obligation be deferred during the time the recipient is:

   1. (1) Enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate course of study that would further their career in cybersecurity, at any institution of higher education in the State;
   2. (2) On a temporary leave of absence, approved by the employer in the required employment field, for a period not to exceed 12 months;
   3. (3) Temporarily disabled in a manner that substantially impairs the recipient’s ability to perform the service obligation, for a period not to exceed 3 years;
   4. (4) Unable to maintain employment, for a period not to exceed 12 months, because the recipient must care for a spouse or child who is disabled;
   5. (5) Assigned military duty outside of the State, not to exceed 4 years; or
   6. (6) Married to a spouse assigned military duty outside of the State, not to exceed 4 years.

3. C. A recipient’s deferment request shall include satisfactory supporting documentation, consisting of the following, as appropriate:

   1. (1) Certification by the institution that the recipient has returned to a full-time or part-time course of study at an institution of post-secondary education in the State;
   2. (2) Certification by the employer that the recipient is on a temporary approved leave of absence;
   3. (3) A sworn affidavit by a qualified physician that the recipient is temporarily disabled in a manner that substantially impairs the recipient’s ability to perform the service obligation;
   4. (4) A sworn affidavit by a qualified physician that the recipient is unable to maintain employment because the recipient must care for a spouse or child who is disabled; or
   5. (5) A copy of military orders.
4. D. The Office shall review all documentation, determine if the deferment conditions have been met and, if so, determine the deferment period.
5. E. During the period of an approved deferment, a recipient need not make scholarship repayments and interest does not accrue.

Authority: Education Article, §§11-105(u), 18-204(c), 18-3503, and 18-3506, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 25, 2019 (46:6 Md. R. 347)

Regulation .02B amended effective November 18, 2019 (46:23 Md. R. 1067); January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .03B amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .04C, D amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .05 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .06 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .07 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .08 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .09C, D amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .10 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .11B amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .11F repealed effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)

Regulation .13 amended effective January 19, 2026 (53:1 Md. R. 24)