Bill > SB324

This bill establishes a direct admission program for eligible high school students to apply to participating public senior higher education institutions, which include the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary's College of Maryland, beginning in the 2028-2029 academic year. To be eligible, students must complete all prerequisite courses for the institution they are applying to, meet specific eligibility requirements outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the Department of Education, and the participating institutions, and apply during their 12th grade year by the institution's deadline. The bill also requires participating institutions to waive application fees and offer conditional direct admission to eligible students, though this admission can be revoked if certain conditions, such as not graduating high school or experiencing a significant decline in grades, are not met. Furthermore, the MHEC will study and make recommendations on the program's administration, including financial and operational mechanisms, and report its findings to the General Assembly by July 1, 2027.