Higher Education - Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program - Eligible Institutions
HB 704 expands eligibility for Maryland's Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students attending the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. The bill amends existing law to add Meritus as a qualifying institution for osteopathic medicine programs, alongside established schools like the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins. This change directly affects full-time or part-time osteopathic medicine students at Meritus who meet residency, financial need, and enrollment requirements. The policy update does not alter scholarship amounts ($1,000-$5,000 annually) or the 8-semester maximum award period. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 24, 2025
Signed May 6, 2025
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4 edits
MODERATE
This bill adds the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine to the list of eligible institutions for the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program, while renumbering existing eligible institutions to accommodate this addition. The change expands scholarship availability to students attending this new osteopathic medicine school.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine as an eligible institution for graduate and professional scholarships, while maintaining eligibility for all previously listed institutions.
ELIGIBILITY
Added Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine to the list of eligible institutions where scholarship recipients must attend.
Renumbered existing eligible institutions from (i) through (vii) to (i) through (viii) to accommodate the new addition.
TECHNICAL
Removed the University of Maryland School of Dentistry from the list of eligible institutions, as it appears to have been removed from the bill text.
Added committee report and house action status indicating the bill was favorably reported and adopted by the House.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2025
How they voted
46–0
Passed
Total votes 46
Mar 24, 2025
D
Democratic33
100% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
12
Committee
7
May 6, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 382
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Motion Special Order until 4/7 (Senator Corderman) Adopted
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0)
senate
Mar 7, 2025
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Appropriations
lower
Feb 27, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-6)
house of delegates
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
First Reading Appropriations
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Matthew Schindler
DDemocratic
P
Terry Baker
RRepublican
P
William Valentine
RRepublican
P
William Wivell
RRepublican
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