.05 Initial Awards — Student Eligibility.
A. Subject to the State budget, the Office annually shall determine students’ initial eligibility to receive a scholarship.
B. Except as set forth in §C of this regulation, an applicant is eligible for a scholarship if the applicant:
(1) Does not have a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate;
(2) Is accepted for admission or currently enrolled at an eligible institution as a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate;
(3) Is a Maryland resident or has graduated from a Maryland high school;
(4) Has achieved at least:
(a) For a student currently enrolled in high school:
(i) A cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent after completion of the first semester of the senior year;
(ii) An overall GPA in the top 15 percent of the student’s grade after the completion of the first semester of the senior year;
(iii) A combined reading and math score of at least 1100 on the SAT with a score of at least 500 on each of those portions; or
(iv) A composite ACT score of at least 25;
(b) For a student who has graduated from high school and completed fewer than 12 college credits:
(i) An overall unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent;
(ii) A combined reading and math score of at least 1100 on the SAT with a score of at least 500 on each of those portions; or
(iii) A composite ACT score of at least 25;
(c) For a student who has completed at least 12, but fewer than 24, undergraduate credits:
(i) A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and satisfactory progress toward a degree; or
(ii) A combined reading and math score of at least 1100 on the SAT with a score of at least 500 on each of these portions, provided that the student has a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and satisfactory progress toward a degree;
(d) For a student who has completed 24 or more undergraduate credits and does not have a bachelor’s degree:
(i) A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and satisfactory progress toward a degree; or
(ii) A score of at least 50 percent on the GRE, provided that the student has a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and satisfactory progress toward a degree; or
(e) For a student who has a bachelor’s degree:
(i) An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; or
(ii) A score of at least 50 percent on the GRE, provided that the student has a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and satisfactory progress toward a degree;
(5) Has demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching; and
(6) Timely files an application and all supporting documentation required by the Office.
C. An applicant is exempt from §B(3)—(5) of this regulation if, at the time they are scheduled to matriculate at an eligible institution, they will have been employed as a teaching assistant at a public school or public prekindergarten program in the State for at least 2 years.
D. An applicant’s career history or prior course of study at an institution of postsecondary education may not exclude the applicant from eligibility for the scholarship.
E. A determination made by the Office that an applicant is ineligible for an initial award is final and not subject to further review or appeal.
