Sec. 13b.01.02.04. Computation of Amount of Annual Award

A. The Commission shall determine the annual apportionment available to each eligible institution in accordance with this regulation.

B. Eligible Credit Hours Generated.

(1) The number of eligible credit hours generated in an institution during the fall semester or quarter of the fiscal year next preceding the fiscal year for which the apportionment is to be made shall be computed by adding the number of:

(a) Credit hours of enrollment in undergraduate courses regardless of student level;

(b) Credit hours of enrollment in graduate courses regardless of student level; and

(c) Equated credit hours of enrollment in special courses.

(2) From the sum reached in §B(1) of this regulation, subtract all credit hours, regardless of subject, taken by:

(a) Undergraduates then enrolled in a religious, seminarian, or theological academic program; and

(b) Graduate students then enrolled in a religious, seminarian, or theological academic program.

C. Special Considerations for Determining Eligible Credit Hours Generated.

(1) Equated credit hours of enrollment in special courses are computed on the same basis as for a normal course. For example, if 3 weekly contact hours of English 101 equals 3 credits, then 3 weekly contact hours of prerequisite noncredit English are equated to 3 credit hours.

(2) Credit hours for short courses are prorated on the basis of a full semester. For example, if the full semester course carrying 3 weekly contact hours is for 16 weeks, and the short course is for 8 weeks, then the equated credit hours are 1.5.

(3) A student is considered to be enrolled in a religious, seminarian, or theological academic program if, on or before the date as of which enrollment figures are computed, the student has become a declared major in religion or religious, seminarian, or theological studies, or has otherwise formally advised the institution in writing that the student is seeking a degree or certificate indicating the type of specialization that characterizes religious, seminarian, or theological academic programs.

(4) In deducting credit hours taken by students enrolled in religious, seminarian, or theological academic programs, all credit hours of all of these students shall be deducted even if they are in subjects that do not relate directly to these programs.

D. Commission Form MHECIS S-6.

(1) An eligible institution shall fully complete Commission Form MHECIS S-6 and have it certified by an independent certified public accountant.

(2) The form may be revised from time to time by the Commission in a manner consistent with these regulations.

(3) The Commission shall furnish copies of this form to all known institutions by August 31 of each year.

(4) Institutions using the semester system shall file the form with the Commission not later than October 15 of each year, and shall reflect the number of eligible semester credit hours as of a date on which that fall's enrollment has stabilized.

(5) An institution using the quarter system shall file the form not later than October 15 of each year, indicating the number of eligible quarter credit hours generated during the fall quarter and, not later than January 15 of each year, indicating the number of eligible quarter credit hours generated during the winter quarter.

E. Calculation of Full-Time Equivalent Students Enrolled. The Commission shall calculate the number of full-time equivalent students enrolled in an institution using the:

(1) Semester system by dividing the total number of eligible credit hours generated in that fall semester by 15; or

(2) Quarter system by dividing by 15 the sum of the fall eligible quarter credit hours multiplied by 0.69 and the winter eligible quarter credit hours multiplied by 0.31.

F. Annual Apportionment.

(1) The Commission shall multiply the number of full-time equivalent students enrolled in the institution by 16 percent of the State's general fund per full-time equivalent student appropriation to the 4-year public colleges and universities in Maryland for the preceding fiscal year. Upon approval and certification by the Commission, the resulting amount is the apportionment to the institution.

(2) The general fund per full-time equivalent student appropriation is based on the most recent prior year's appropriation as approved by the General Assembly or as revised by the Board of Public Works, and not the appropriation as subsequently reallocated by budget amendment.