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HB 704

Higher Education - Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program - Eligible Institutions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Baker and 3 co-sponsors

HB 704 expands Maryland's Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include additional eligible institutions, increasing state financial aid access for graduate and professional students.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 382
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Bill Summary · HB 704

Legislative bill overview

HB 704 expands the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program by adding eligible institutions beyond those currently covered. The bill modifies the program's institutional scope, allowing more Maryland graduate and professional students access to state scholarship funding.

Why is this important

Graduate and professional education is increasingly expensive, and expanding scholarship eligibility can reduce student debt burdens while potentially increasing workforce development in fields like medicine, law, and engineering. Broader institutional participation may also create more equitable access to financial support across different regions and types of educational institutions in Maryland.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Expanding eligible institutions increases state scholarship obligations; the bill's cost and funding source may concern lawmakers focused on budget constraints
  • Institutional selection criteria: Questions may arise about why certain institutions were added versus others, and whether selection was based on transparent, merit-based standards
  • Program dilution: Existing scholarship recipients and supporters may worry that expanding eligibility spreads limited funds thinner across more students

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

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