<p>This is bad news in our house. My D submitted her application. It looks like it was a waste of time.</p>
<p>The wording seems to imply that 2011/12 is the last year of the program. Since I’m planning to graduate in 2014, I think I’m OK. I guess I’ll find out for sure in Aug. if the funding is still there.</p>
<p>I spoke to someone in the MHEC office on Tuesday. My daughter (a high school junior) had been nominated for the arts award as well as the academic and I called with a question about the music audition. The woman in the office told me that they are not holding auditions because the legislature voted not to fund the program. I then asked about the academic awards, and she told me that those were canceled as well. I did not think to ask about the status of this year’s high school seniors who were told in the fall that they were finalists for the scholarship.
Apparently, the students who are already in college will be able to continue to receive their scholarships.
Big bummer in our house, especially since my daughter has been practicing for this audition since she found out in March that her school had nominated her. I wonder when they plan to inform the students? The woman in the MHEC office told me that they were preparing an email to send to guidance counselors and the students who are awaiting audition times.</p>
<p>I would be nice if the state would at least recognize these kids for their achievements, even if they don’t have enough money to fund the scholarships.</p>
<p>It’s even worse. My D got an e-mail on April 29th confirming her renewed award for next year, and then she got another e-mail today saying, “sorry, but the program is unfunded”. I read the legislative report and I thought it said that the current students would continue to be funded until 2015. </p>
<p>It may be the Educational Assistance Grant program though. They both come from MHEC and D has the same ID#. A bit confusing… I’ll have her log on and see if that clarifies anything.</p>
<p>Greenwitch, I’m really sorry for your D. I think you should call the MHEC office and ask them directly. Someone else I know told me she called and was told that the kids who were already in college would still get their scholarships. That makes more sense with the 2015 phase out language. If you call, please report back here on what you find out.</p>
<p>I also find it really aggravating that their website is still advertising the program. They could at least write “program canceled” across the page!</p>
<p>^ you are correct. The MDS is fully funded for all those already in the program. They actually have MORE than enough funding in place to finish out the program. I have already received my confirmation e-mail.</p>
<p>See article below regarding the cancellation of the MD Distinguished Scholar Program</p>
<p>[Cuts</a> to Maryland scholarship program affect 350 seniors - baltimoresun.com](<a href=“http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bs-md-distinguished-scholars-cut-20110510,0,1958088.story]Cuts”>http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bs-md-distinguished-scholars-cut-20110510,0,1958088.story)</p>
<p>Not only was the funding cut for the Maryland Distinguished Scholar program, but the following headline was on the front page of today’s Baltimore Sun, “O’Malley Signs Tuition Break” , granting in-state tuition rates for undocumented residents. </p>
<p>Wow.</p>
<p>@eastcoast, as a MDS I certainly agree that the winding down of the program is a terrible thing, especially for those in the “queue”. But what does any of this have to do with what you posted? Granting “in state” tuition is hardly a “break” when someone has spent most of their life living in Maryland and has completed 2 years at a community college(part of the bill). It may very well be revenue POSITIVE.</p>
<p>Please, as per CC TOS, let’s have no political discussions.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for that to be a politically devisive statement. The articles were right next to each other, on the front page of the paper. In one, the estimated cost savings for the state will be $1 million dollars/year by cutting the scholarship program. In the other article, it was estimated that granting in-state tuition benefits to undocumented residents will cost the state $3.5 million by 2016.</p>
<p>at 3:00 this afternoon the online version of the Baltimore Sun printed a statement by Governor O’Malley restoring the scholarships to the 350 seniors who had been told that they had lost their scholarships. O’Malley said he never intended the cuts to impact this year’s seniors. “Clearly our committment to honor existing awards was not fulfilled, and I’ve directed MHEC to immediately correct the error and restore the four-year scholarships to all seniors who were expecting their award.” A spokesman for O’Malley said that the Governor was “suprised, and frankly a little outraged” when he learned that scholarships had been yanked from graduating seniors.</p>
<p>Thanks to the Baltimore Sun for letting the sun shine on this issue. The timing of the Governor’s announcement cannot be coincidental. I don’t believe this would have happened without the Sun’s article yesterday.</p>
<p>It was clear from reading the language of the legislation that current seniors were never intended to be left out (the summer 2015 date). The MHEC simply misinterpreted. I have many friends in the class of 2011 and I’m very happy for them. :)</p>
<p>If you have an MDCAPS ID and password, you can view a copy of the letter that is being mailed out informing distinguished scholars of O’Malley’s restoration of the scholarships for high school seniors. It basically says that a college choice form will be mailed out in the next week and must be filled out and returned by the deadline (it doesn’t say what the deadline is), and then an award notification will go out. It also contains an apology for the confusion. What a relief!</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the “reinstated” MD Distinguished Scholar program will include students who, in past years, got this award automatically because they are National Merit Finalists? These students were not included in the group who got the letter last fall (the talent and academic categories) because they didn’t find out until early this year that they were NMF’s.</p>
<p>I can’t get through to the office to ask and thought someone here might know.</p>
<p>MHEC confirmed that they will follow the same process as in previous years which includes awards to NM finalists.</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am new to the Forum and so I apologize if this question has already been asked before but was wondering if anyone might have any information on the question below.</p>
<p>I understand that eligible juniors will not have their applications processed; however since they were eligible is there anything that they can put on their college applications under Honors / State Recognition to reflect this. </p>
<p>The reason I ask, is that from my understanding all eligible applicants are considered Maryland Distinguished Scholars, even if they were not to receive Finalist/Semi-finalist status, they would receive Honorable Mention status. This would then be something that they could reflect on their college applications.</p>
<p>I was hoping that since this year’s juniors have already submitted their paperwork, that at the least they could be honored with the title of Maryland Distinguished Scholar.</p>
<p>I have contacted our school, MHEC and the Governor’s office with this question, but have not received a response. Thanks to anyone who might have information regarding this.</p>
<p>I would be nice to give the recognition, even if money is not involved.</p>
<p>Exactly. Simply put. </p>
<p>It is wonderful to be acknowledged by their respective High Schools, but yet quite another thing to be honored by the State in which they live. Even just having the recognition may help with applying for other scholarships. Additionally, some Maryland colleges will waive the application fee for MDS. </p>
<p>On the Governor’s website under the Education tab / related news, it appears they list Maryland’s AP ranking. I imagine they do this because the state is proud of this. I know those statistics involve many factors and individuals; however it’s probably safe to assume that many MDS contribute to those statistics.</p>
<p>These are hard-working high-achieving students. I can understand the lack of funding, but why cancel the program in its entirety for new eligible students, if that in fact is what they are going to do.</p>
<p>I was able to connect with someone from the MHEC office in regards to juniors that had already submitted their applications. It appears if they were nominated by their school, they may put on their college applications “Maryland Distinguished Scholar Nominee”.</p>