Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) News Brief

The Maryland Higher Education Commission Supports Students with Disabilities

During the 2023 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session, Secretary Sanjay Rai spoke in support of House Bill 901/Senate Bill 967 “Part-Time Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships” legislation, which altered the program requirements for the number of credit hours students must take in order to be eligible. This legislation, sponsored by Delegate Sarah Wolek and Senator Craig Zucker respectively, is critical to addressing the needs of students with disabilities. The passage of House Bill 901/Senate Bill 967 enables students with disabilities to matriculate toward their degree attainment at a pace that accommodates their academic learning.

The removal of the academic full-time (12-hour) requirement for senatorial and delegate scholarships will allow students with a disability to submit a proof of disability waiver to be eligible. With its unwavering commitment, the Maryland Higher Education Commission recognizes the importance of meeting the educational needs of students with disabilities. Moreover, eligible recipients can be awarded scholarships even with a part-time enrollment status, providing a strong support system for their educational journey.

In closing, Inside Higher Education recently published an article citing research published by the United States Government Accountability Office, which states, “The number of students with disabilities has grown 10 percentage points since 2004 to 21 percent of all learners, with large increases in students who have depression (27 percent); a mental, emotional or psychiatric condition (21 percent); and attention deficit disorder (21 percent), according to a May report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.”

The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to improving the lives of Marylanders and addressing the educational attainment needs of students with disabilities. The article continued, “However, students with disabilities were less likely to graduate from college than their peers (21 percent, compared to 38 percent) and, among those who did complete, they were less likely to be employed full-time compared to their peers.”

The Maryland Higher Education Commission supports students with disabilities and is committed to bettering their lives and educational outcomes. This legislation, House Bill 901/Senate Bill 967 “Part-Time Senatorial and Delegate Scholarships,” is a powerful tool to better the lives of Marylanders.