Maryland higher education: the state gives and takes
** UPDATE
Gov. Martin O'Malley just announced that he will restore funding to the Distinguished Scholars program. In a statement he called the cut an "error" saying that he never intended to revoke funding from students who had received awards.
"It was never our intention to impact prior awards," said O'Malley in a statement. "Clearly, our commitment to honor existing awards was not fulfilled and I’ve directed [the Maryland Higher Education Commission] MHEC to immediately correct the error and restore the four-year scholarships to all seniors who were expecting their award."
** ORIGINAL POST
Roughly 350 top-performing Maryland seniors learned earlier this month that they won't be receiving scholarships from the state for college next year, The Sun reported this morning.
The reason: The $1.35 million Distinguished Scholars program was included in a package of budget cuts offered by Gov. Martin O'Malley and approved by the General Assembly. "When we're dealing with the kind of recession we've been dealing with, every program can't be protected," said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O'Malley.
The awards, worth $12,000 over four years, only go to the state's best and brightest, like Lindsay Michocki (pictured on the right). She took 11 AP courses, graduated top of her class and was recruited by the Ivy League. Her scholarship was rescinded.
The Sun also reported today that the state is expanding funding for a different set of high school graduates -- illegal immigrants. O'Malley on Tuesday signed into law the Maryland Dream Act, a bill that offers discounted tuition to undocumented residents who've attended three years of high school and paid taxes.
Gov. Martin O'Malley just announced that he will restore funding to the Distinguished Scholars program. In a statement he called the cut an "error" saying that he never intended to revoke funding from students who had received awards.
"It was never our intention to impact prior awards," said O'Malley in a statement. "Clearly, our commitment to honor existing awards was not fulfilled and I’ve directed [the Maryland Higher Education Commission] MHEC to immediately correct the error and restore the four-year scholarships to all seniors who were expecting their award."
** ORIGINAL POST
Roughly 350 top-performing Maryland seniors learned earlier this month that they won't be receiving scholarships from the state for college next year, The Sun reported this morning.
The reason: The $1.35 million Distinguished Scholars program was included in a package of budget cuts offered by Gov. Martin O'Malley and approved by the General Assembly. "When we're dealing with the kind of recession we've been dealing with, every program can't be protected," said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O'Malley.
The awards, worth $12,000 over four years, only go to the state's best and brightest, like Lindsay Michocki (pictured on the right). She took 11 AP courses, graduated top of her class and was recruited by the Ivy League. Her scholarship was rescinded.
The Sun also reported today that the state is expanding funding for a different set of high school graduates -- illegal immigrants. O'Malley on Tuesday signed into law the Maryland Dream Act, a bill that offers discounted tuition to undocumented residents who've attended three years of high school and paid taxes.
Legislative analysts say the in-state tuition bill won't impact the state spending plan that starts July 1, but over time the program will cost money. In FY2014, the program costs $778K and by FY2016 the cost will rise to $3.5 million. Critics contend that the price tag is low because it relies on a set of assumptions that underestimates the number of illegal immigrants who will take advantage of the program.
Comments
"The awards, worth $12,000 over four years, only go to the state's best and brightest".
Attention all high school students - especially the best and the brightest. Your contributions are not wanted here in Maryland - your efforts will be better rewarded if you pack up and take to another state or to a private institution. The state of Maryland and it's esteemed educational institutions prefer to pander to law breakers and criminals. They do not want hard working honest citizens in their institutions. In fact, if you play the state's official 'team' sport - you may get rounded up and arrested.
Posted by: LoyolaL7 | May 11, 2011 1:19 PM
So MOM gives monetary breaks to illegal immigrants buts cuts funding to legal citizens with regards to college money.
Only in the People's Republic of Maryland.
Posted by: john | May 11, 2011 1:47 PM
Wondering about the legality of the Governor ordering MHEC to restore funding? The funding was cut in the budget - a legislative action (incidentally, O'Malley was the one who proposed the budget cut to begin with). Not sure O'Malley has the authority?
Posted by: baltmoron | May 11, 2011 2:02 PM
Goes to show that crime pays in Maryland. Break the law instead of getting good grades and the tax payers get to foot the bill.
Posted by: Librarylil | May 11, 2011 2:07 PM
I'm a MD resident and college junior at a public MD university. It really angers me that my parents, who are US citizens and MD residents have to jump through hoops to get me and my 3 sisters through college with the little help of financial aid, yet illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition. How is this even legal? Oh, I forgot, nowadays MD ignores the law and wishes of legal residents in favor of giving rights to people who are not entitled to them under federal and state law.
Everyone who is a registered MD voter, please sign the petition at mdpetitions.com to keep the Dream Act from becoming a nightmare for MD tax papers.
Posted by: Jenna | May 11, 2011 5:14 PM
"Jenna" above complains,
"[M]y parents, who are US citizens and MD residents have to jump through hoops to get me and my 3 sisters through college with the little help of financial aid, yet illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition."
Jenna seems to think the children of illegal immigrants are getting a benefit that she is not getting herself, but that's incorrect. She gets the same in-state tuition rate that the Dream Act extends to the innocent children of illegal immigrants--no more, no less.
Her parents' sacrifice for her education should inspire empathy for students who are like her in many ways except they were brought here as children without authorization to stay--not a choice they made themselves.
You may call such children illegal immigrants, but surely they are innocent. We've educated them in our schools and their parents have paid taxes. They're American children, and I'm pleased we're joining the ten other states--red and blue--that grant them the privilege of in-state tuition.
- Steve Lebowitz, Annapolis
Posted by: justdafacts | May 11, 2011 6:03 PM
Hey Lebovitz you shameless MOM ass kisser what part of illegal do you not understand?
The more breaks you give illegal immigrants the more will flock here straining our budget even more.
And there is no money.
And as a resident of Baltimore city my taxes are high enough and my services already suck. My son lives with his mother in the county because of much better schools and for safety reasons.
So make sure you thank MOM for me okay.
Do tell how are children who were not born in the USA, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS are Americans sir?
Posted by: john | May 12, 2011 3:04 PM