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Bill

HB 818

Higher Education - Foster Care Recipients and Homeless Youth - Tuition Exemption and Associated Benefits

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marlon Amprey and 9 co-sponsors

Maryland bill exempts tuition for foster care and homeless youth at public colleges and universities, removing financial barriers to higher education access.

First Reading Appropriations
0
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Bill Summary · HB 818

Legislative bill overview

HB 818 establishes tuition exemption and associated benefits for Maryland higher education students who are current or former foster care recipients or experiencing homelessness. The bill ensures these vulnerable populations can access public universities and community colleges without tuition costs while receiving additional support services. This legislation removes significant financial barriers to postsecondary education for youth in unstable housing situations.

Why is this important

Foster youth and homeless students face extraordinary obstacles to completing high school and pursuing higher education, including financial instability, housing insecurity, and lack of support systems. Without educational pathways, these populations experience elevated rates of unemployment, incarceration, and continued poverty. Tuition exemption programs have demonstrated success in other states at improving college enrollment and completion rates for these groups, generating long-term economic and social benefits.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Full tuition exemption for potentially thousands of students represents significant state budget commitment; funding mechanism unclear from bill summary
  • Definitional boundaries: Determining eligibility (current foster care vs. former, duration of homelessness, documentation requirements) could create administrative complexity or unintended gaps
  • Institutional capacity: Community colleges and universities may face enrollment pressures and resource constraints if unprepared for influx of students with additional support needs (housing, counseling, food security)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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