(a) Each public institution of higher education shall accept for admission any graduate of an approved public high school:

(1) Who is certified by his high school principal, based on standards of the State Board of Education, as qualified to pursue a course of study at the institution; or

(2) Who meets the admission standards of the institution.

(b) (1) Each public institution of higher education may accept, for special admission any student who has:

(i) Completed the seventh grade; and

(ii) A scholastic aptitude test combined score of 1,200 or an equivalent score on a nationally accepted college entrance examination.

(2) This subsection does not affect the State or local share of aid provided pursuant to § 5-202 of this article to the secondary school in which the student is enrolled.