(a) The Office shall annually select eligible students and offer a scholarship to each student selected to be used at an eligible institution of their choice.

(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship shall:

(i) Be a Maryland resident or have graduated from a Maryland high school;

(ii) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, be 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;

(iii) 1. Have achieved at least:

A. For a student currently enrolled in high school, an overall grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, or an overall grade point average in the top 15% of the student’s grade, after completion of the first semester of the senior year;

B. For a student currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student, a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and satisfactory progress toward a degree in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate;

C. A score of 500 on the reading and math portions of the SAT, with a combined score of at least 1100 on the reading and math portions of the SAT;

D. A composite ACT score of 25; or

E. A score of 50% on the GRE; and

2. Have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching;

(iv) Sign a letter of intent to perform the service obligation upon completion of the recipient’s required studies;

(v) Accept any other conditions attached to the award; and

(vi) Satisfy any additional criteria the Commission may establish.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an individual who, at the time the individual is scheduled to matriculate at an eligible institution, will have been employed as a teaching assistant at a public school or public prekindergarten program in the State for at least 2 years:

(i) May apply for a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship under this subtitle; and

(ii) Is eligible to hold a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship as a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student.

(3) A recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may be an individual who is enrolled or plans to enroll at an eligible institution as a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student who:

(i) Changes majors to pursue a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate; or

(ii) Seeks to change careers to pursue a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate.

(c) A recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may not hold a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate.

(d) (1) Applicants who are secondary school students shall provide a high school transcript after completion of the first semester of their senior year.

(2) Applicants who are currently enrolled in an eligible institution shall provide the most recent college transcript, or if not applicable, the applicant may submit a final high school transcript.

(3) Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an eligible institution, but who are high school graduates, shall provide a final high school transcript.

(4) Applicants who are high school graduates and are not currently enrolled in an eligible institution, but have completed some courses at an eligible institution, shall provide the most recent college transcript.

(5) Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an eligible institution, but who are college graduates, shall provide a final college transcript.