Sec. 13b.08.02.04. Selection of Recipients

A. Recipients shall receive an award depending upon their level of debt for a 3-year period.

B. Award funds are distributed in annual or monthly amounts as long as the recipient retains eligibility and continues to submit required annual employment, lender, and tax documentation.

C. Priority for participation in the program shall be given to an individual who:

(1) Graduated from an institution of higher education in the last 3 years;

(2) Is a resident of Maryland;

(3) Is employed on a full-time basis; and

(4) As the principal part of the individual’s employment:

(a) Provides legal services to low-income residents in the State who cannot afford legal services;

(b) Provides nursing services in nursing shortage areas in the State as defined in Education Article, §18-802, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(c) Provides other services in an eligible field of employment in which there is a shortage of qualified practitioners to low-income or underserved residents or areas of the State; or

(d) Qualifies for a Nancy Grasmick Teacher Award.

D. Priority fields of employment are:

(1) Legal services;

(2) Nursing services;

(3) Teachers who qualify for a Nancy Grasmick Teacher Award; and

(4) Other fields of employment in which there is a shortage of qualified practitioners providing services to low income or underserved residents or areas of the State as identified by the Office for Student Financial Assistance using appropriate workforce shortage data.

E. No more than 50 percent of the awards under the Janet L. Hoffman LARP may be awarded to Nancy Grasmick Teacher Scholars.