Sec. 13b.08.14.04. Advisory Council on Workforce Shortage

A. The Secretary of Higher Education shall appoint an Advisory Council on Workforce Shortage (Advisory Council) to identify and recommend workforce shortage fields to be included in the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program.

B. The Advisory Council shall meet as necessary to make recommendations on occupations to be included in the program.

C. At a minimum, the Advisory Council shall make recommendations every 2 years on occupations to be included in the program.

D. Public Good or Benefit

(1) In this section, "public good or benefit" means service to low-income or underserved residents or areas of the State in an occupation in the public sector or service in an organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under §501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(2) In establishing recommendations, the Advisory Council shall take into consideration whether the occupation provides a public good or benefit to the citizens of Maryland.

E. The Advisory Council’s recommendations shall be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) for approval.

F. The Maryland Department of Labor shall provide data and analysis on demand occupations and supply to be used by the Advisory Council.

G. OSFA shall allocate funds for each specific demand occupation within the program, based on the level of critical need. Renewals shall also be considered when determining allocations.

H. Majors and occupational areas associated with the scholarship and tuition assistance programs listed below are included in the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program:

(1) Hattie N. Harrison Memorial Scholarship;

(2) Ida G. and Leonard Ruben Scholarship;

(3) Ruth M. Kirk Social Work Scholarship;

(4) Physical and Occupational Therapists and Assistants Scholarship;

(5) Sharon Christa McAuliffe Memorial Teacher Education Award;

(6) Nursing Scholarship and Living Expenses Grant;

(7) William Donald Schaefer Scholarship; and

(8) Parren J. Mitchell Public Service Scholarship.