MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

Nancy S. Grasmick Building, 6 North Liberty St., Baltimore, Maryland, March 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission coordinates the growth and development of post-secondary education in Maryland. The Commission also administers certain aid programs to institutions of higher education, and provides financial assistance to students.

In keeping with the goals outlined in the State Plan for Higher Education, the Commission establishes statewide policies for public and private colleges and universities, and for private career schools. Moreover, the Commission reviews and approves the start-up and continuation of new colleges and universities in Maryland, as well as requests for new academic programs at established schools.

In 1991, State funding was extended to community colleges and to eligible independent colleges and universities (Chapter 465, Acts of 1991; Code Education Article, secs. 16-305, 17-101 through 17-105).

State Plan for Postsecondary Education. Every four years, the Commission reviews and updates the State Plan for Postsecondary Education, and reports on the status and needs of postsecondary education in Maryland (Code Education Article, sec. 11-105). The Plan is developed consistent with the Maryland Charter for Higher Education (adopted in 1988) which sets forth State goals for higher education (Code Education Article, secs. 10-201 through 10-212).

The Commission's twelve members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Eleven serve five-year terms; a student member has a one-year term. The Governor names the chair (Code Education Article, secs. 11-101 through 11-206).

Under the Commission is the Office of Research and Policy Analysis, and three departments: Academic Affairs; External and Government Relations; and Finance and Administration. The Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission also assists the Commission.

HIGHER EDUCATION INVESTMENT FUND
Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Higher Education Investment Fund was established by the Tax Reform Act of 2007. The Act dedicates a portion of the increase in corporate tax revenues to the Fund (Chapter 3, Acts of 2007 Special Session; Code Education Article, sec. 15-106.6).

To keep tuition affordable for Marylanders, General Fund appropriations to four-year public colleges and universities are supplemented by the Fund. The Investment Fund also may be used for capital projects at these institutions, and for workforce development initiatives. During the 2008 legislative session, the allowable uses of the Fund were expanded to address higher education needs related to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process (Chapter 341, Acts of 2008).

SECRETARY OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The Secretary of Higher Education chairs the Segmental Advisory Council, and serves on the Governor's Executive Council; the Governor's Subcabinet for International Affairs; and the Smart Growth Subcabinet. The Secretary also serves on the Maryland 529 Board (formerly College Savings Plans of Maryland Board); the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority; the Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs; the Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Educational Programs; the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center Governing Board; the Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness; the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs; the P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland; the Southern Maryland Higher Education Council; the Southern Regional Education Board; the Student Transfer Advisory Committee; the Governor's Warrior to Worker Council; the Governor's Workforce Development Board (formerly Governor's Workforce Investment Board); and the Board of Directors, Maryland Workforce Corporation.

Assisting the Secretary of Higher Education are the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission and five advisory councils concerned with Faculty, Financial Assistance, Private Career School, Segmental, and Student.

FACULTY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Faculty Advisory Council reviews issues and advises the Secretary of Higher Education on matters of importance to faculty members.

Appointed by the Secretary of Higher Education, the Council is composed of faculty members representing the segments and institutions of higher education (Code Education Article, sec. 11-106).

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Financial Assistance Advisory Council advises the Maryland Higher Education on policy and administrative issues affecting financial aid in the State.

The Council is comprised of financial aid directors and others associated with the six segments of higher education. Members are appointed by the Secretary of Higher Education (Code Education Article, sec. 11-106).

MARYLAND FIRE-RESCUE EDUCATION & TRAINING COMMISSION

In 1976, the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission was established within the State Board for Higher Education (Chapter 682, Acts of 1976). The Commission was placed under the Secretary of Higher Education in 1988 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988).

"Between Morning and Night": Maryland Fire-Rescue Services Memorial scupture (2006), by Rodney Carroll, Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland, July 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

For the fire, rescue and emergency medical education and training system in Maryland, the Commission establishes minimum standards and approves system programs. The Commission also develops and maintains a statewide master plan for fire-rescue education; collects and disseminates data; and reviews research in the field.

Emergency services training is coordinated through the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, and ten academies and centers:


Anne Arundel County Fire Academy
Frank J. Trenner Fire Academy, Baltimore City Fire Department
Baltimore County Fire-Rescue Academy
BWI Training Division, Fire Rescue Service, Maryland Aviation Administration
Carroll County Training Center
Frederick County Public Safety Training Facility
Hagerstown Fire Department
James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Training Academy and
Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department Training Academy.

Thirteen members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The Governor names the chair (Code Education Article, sec. 11-501 through 11-503).

PRIVATE CAREER SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
In 1989, the Private Career School Advisory Council was authorized by regulation (Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13B.01.01.04). The Council was codified in statute in October 2014 (Chapter 133, Acts of 2014; Code Education Article, sec. 11-106).

The Council reviews all new applications from businesses seeking to establish a private career school in Maryland. Before granting initial approval to operate such a school, the Secretary of Higher Education considers Council recommendations. The Council also advises the Secretary on new program applications, programs modifications, and changes of ownership submitted by existing private career schools.

SEGMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Segmental Advisory Council advises the Secretary of Higher Education. Represented on the Council are the six "segments" of the postsecondary community: the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, community colleges, private universities and colleges, and private career schools. From each of these, the chief executive or a representative of its governing and coordinating boards serves on the Council (Code Education Article, sec. 11-106).

STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Student Advisory Council provides advice to the Secretary of Higher Education (Code Education Article, sec. 11-106).

Council membership includes one student from the student governance body at each degree-granting institution in Maryland.

OFFICE OF RESEARCH & POLICY ANALYSIS
The Office of Research and Policy Analysis originated in 1976 as Research, Planning, and Evaluation. In 1985, it reorganized as Research, Planning, and Information Systems. Under the Division of Planning and Academic Affairs since 1988, it reformed as the Division of Policy Analysis and Research in 1997. In June 2001, the Division became the Office of Policy Analysis and Research. The Office was renamed the Office of Planning, Research Analysis, and Workforce Development in 2008, and the Office of Research, Planning and Policy Analysis in 2010. It reformed under its present name in 2015.

For the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Office studies major issues in postsecondary education. The Office also collects and maintains statewide data from colleges and universities on students, degrees, facilities, finances, financial aid, and employees. This data and its analysis are used to prepare policy studies, information reports and statistical reports, and are available upon request to other State agencies, colleges and universities, businesses and nonprofit organizations, the media, and the general public. The Commission's annual Data Book and other studies are prepared by the Office and are available on the Internet.

For public colleges and universities, the Office coordinates the yearly performance accountability process and prepares enrollment projections.

DEPARTMENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The Department approves academic programs and new institutions, and oversees postsecondary institutions, including private career schools. The needs of education and training programs, as well as plans for such programs, are analyzed by the Department.

The approval process for postsecondary institutions wishing to offer certificates, degrees, or diplomas in Maryland is coordinated by the Department. It establishes minimum requirements for academic programs and provides information about approved programs and the approval process. It also oversees the regulation of private career schools in Maryland.

The Department sets academic and financial standards for the Maryland Higher Education Commission to approve and provides information on how to open a school. For students, the Department maintains lists of approved schools and those which have closed. Enrollment figures, completion rates, and pass rates of graduates on any licensure examination are published by the Department. To protect students, the Department may take legal action against schools when necessary.

Under the Department are the Maryland Digital Library, and three offices: Career and Workforce Education; Collegiate Affairs; and Veterans Affairs.

CAREER & WORKFORCE EDUCATION [PRIVATE CAREER SCHOOLS]
In 2005, Career and Workforce Education was created under the Division of Planning and Academic Affairs. It reformed in 2007 into two units: Career Education, and Workforce Education. In 2012, these units merged with Workforce Development to become Career Education and Workforce Development. In August 2015, the office reorganized under its present name as part of the Department of Program Review and Compliance, and in February 2016 was made part of the Department of Academic Affairs.

Career and Workforce Education regulates private career schools, and approves continuing education classes at community colleges in Maryland. It sets academic and financial standards for these schools, and takes legal action when necessary to protect students.

Private career schools offer training and certification programs in fields with a specific career focus, such as computer technology, cosmetology, allied health fields, real estate, and business. No private career school may operate in Maryland without the approval of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

COLLEGIATE AFFAIRS
For the Maryland Higher Education Commission, Collegiate Affairs regulates both in-state and out-of-state collegiate institutions offering programs in Maryland. The office monitors academic, administrative, facility and financial standards set by the Commission. No collegiate institution may operate in Maryland without Commission approval.

Currently, some 57 in-state institutions and 40 out-of-state institutions have a physical presence in the State, and over 200 institutions offer distance education programs to Maryland students.

MARYLAND DIGITAL LIBRARY
The Maryland Digital Library was authorized in October 2004 within the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Chapter 402, Acts of 2004). The Library consists of the academic libraries in public and private nonprofit institutions of postsecondary education that are approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

The Library's purpose is to strengthen cooperation among Maryland academic libraries, and create fiscal efficiencies through such cooperation. In collaboration with the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the State Archives, county libraries, and elementary and secondary school libraries, the Maryland Digital Library may develop programs to support all residents of the State (Code Education Article, secs. 11-801 through 11-804).

MARYLAND DIGITAL LIBRARY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Maryland Digital Library Advisory Council was created in October 2004 (Chapter 402, Acts of 2004).

Annually, the Council submits a report to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Upon receipt of this report, the Commission can encourage each academic library to increase shared access to information through internet-accessible electronic form, and in books or other traditional formats. The Commission also may encourage the libraries to optimize effective use of funding in the creation of digital resources; digitize unique collections as internet resources; as well as train staff to improve services, and develop programs that support training library users' access to electronic materials (Code Education Article, secs. 11-801 through 11-804).

VETERANS AFFAIRS
In order for a veteran, reservist, or dependent to use G.I. Bill benefits for a veterans education program, the program first must be approved by a state approving agency. In Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission serves as the official state approving agency, an approving authority for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Under the Department of Academic Affairs, Veterans Affairs promotes and safeguards quality education and training programs for all veterans and other eligible persons.

DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Four offices make up the Department. The offices are concerned with: Corporate Relations, Legislative Affairs, Outreach and Grants Management, and Public Relations.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Under the Department are four offices: Budget and Finance, Facilities and Capital Budget Oversight, Information Technology, and Student Financial Assistance.

OFFICE OF FACILITIES & CAPITAL BUDGET OVERSIGHT
The Office administers the Community College Capital Grant Program, and the Facilities Master Plan and capital review process for all higher education institutions in Maryland.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Under the Department of Finance and Administration, the Office of Information Technology provides technical support and security for the hardware, software, and local area network infrastructure of the Maryland Higher Education Commission. For the federal Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data System and the Maryland Longitudinal Data Systems Center, the Office submits higher education data. Moreover, the Office manages the Maryland Annual Collection System, which collects data on employees, enrollment, degrees, financial aid, student registration, and teacher education.

As the State Scholarship Board, the Office of Student Financial Assistance began in 1961 (Chapter 412, Acts of 1961). The Board reorganized in 1988 as the State Scholarship Administration under the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988). On July 1, 2002, the Administration was renamed the Office of Student Financial Assistance (Chapters 315 and 429, Acts of 2002).

Nancy S. Grasmick Building, 6 North Liberty St., Baltimore, Maryland, March 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MCAPS), the Office processes State scholarship applications and allocates available funds. Using this System, students can apply on-line for certain scholarships, check application status, accept or decline awards, and change enrollment status.

MARYLAND EARLY GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Maryland Early Graduation Scholarship Program was initiated by the Governor in January 2016 (Executive Order 01.01.2016.03).

As approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Maryland Early Graduation Scholarship is a one-time scholarship used for tuition, room and board, books, and other purposes.

An applicant to the Program must be a high school student enrolled in any of the twenty-four local public school systems in Maryland, and a participant in the alternative program leading to the grant of a high school diploma by the end of the 11th grade (COMAR 13A.03.02.11). In addition, the applicant must secure acceptance to an institution of higher education as defined in the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (sec. 10-101 (i)) within six months of receiving a high school diploma; and must apply to the Program in the manner specified by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

WORKFORCE SHORTAGE STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program was established in 2006 (Chapter 367, Acts of 2006). Through this program, scholarships are awarded to Maryland residents who plan on careers in child care, human services, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, public service, or teaching. Grant recipients must serve full-time in their employment field for each year of award. Eligible fields are determined by the Advisory Council on Workforce Shortage and address statewide and regional workforce needs.

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