§18–3603.

    (a)    (1)    (i)    Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a student may apply annually to a Maryland community college located in the county or, in the case of a regional community college, in the region where the applicant lives to receive a Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship award.

            (ii)    If the community college located in the county or region where the applicant lives does not offer the degree or certification program in which the applicant wants to enroll, the student may apply to the community college outside the county or, in the case of a regional community college, outside the region where the applicant lives to receive a Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship award.

        (2)    A community college annually shall select eligible applicants and offer a Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship award to each selected applicant to be used for tuition at the community college.

    (b)    An applicant is eligible for a Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship award if the applicant:

        (1)    Is eligible for in–State tuition;

        (2)    Enrolls as a candidate for a vocational certificate, a certificate, or an associate’s degree or participates in a registered apprenticeship after graduating from a high school or successfully completing a GED in the State:

            (i)    Except as provided in item (ii) of this item, at the community college located in the county or, in the case of a regional community college, in the region, where the applicant lives; or

            (ii)    At a community college in the State that has an on–campus residential facility for students;

        (3)    Except as provided in subsection (c)(3) and (4)(i) of this section, has earned a cumulative grade point average of:

            (i)    For an initial award, at least 2.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent at the end of the first semester or the end of the year of the senior year in high school; or

            (ii)    While enrolled at a community college in the State, at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent;

        (4)    Has an annual adjusted gross income of not more than:

            (i)    $100,000 if the applicant is single or resides in a single–parent household; or

            (ii)    $150,000 if the applicant is married or resides in a two–parent household;

        (5)    (i)    Enrolls in:

                1.    At least 6 credits per semester at the community college; or

                2.    A sequence of credit or noncredit courses that leads to licensure or certification; or

            (ii)    Participates in a registered apprenticeship program; and

        (6)    (i)    Timely submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or any other applications for any State or federal student financial aid, other than a student loan, for which the applicant may qualify; or

            (ii)    Is ineligible to submit a FAFSA, qualifies for in–State tuition under § 15–106.8 of this article, and timely submits an application for any State student financial aid, other than a student loan, for which the applicant may qualify.

    (c)    (1)    An applicant who receives any other educational grants or scholarships that cover the applicant’s full cost of attendance at the community college is ineligible to receive an award under this subtitle.

        (2)    An applicant who has earned a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree is ineligible to receive an award under this subtitle.

        (3)    An applicant who graduated from high school 5 or more years before the date of application is not subject to the grade point average requirements established in subsection (b)(3)(i) of this section for an initial award.

        (4)    An applicant who enrolls in a noncredit vocational certificate program, enrolls in a sequence of noncredit courses leading to licensure or certification, or participates in a registered apprenticeship program:

            (i)    Is not subject to the grade point average requirements in subsection (b)(3) of this section; and

            (ii)    Is not subject to the requirements in subsection (b)(6) of this section, unless the applicant is enrolling in a noncredit program for which a federal Pell Grant may be used.

    (d)    On request the community college shall assist an applicant to submit a FAFSA or any other applications for State or federal student financial aid.