SB486 expands Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship to UMES health programs
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 486 expands the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) enrolled in Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, or Veterinary Medicine degree programs. The bill passed the Senate 41-0 on March 20, 2026, and received favorable reports from the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee and the Appropriations Committee.
What changed
SB486 amends the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to extend scholarship eligibility to students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore pursuing specific health profession degrees including Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Veterinary Medicine programs.
Affected parties include UMES students in these programs who may now qualify for state scholarship assistance, as well as UMES as an institution which gains eligibility under this scholarship program. The bill passed with bipartisan support and unanimous Senate approval.
What to do next
- Monitor Maryland Higher Education Commission for implementation guidance
- Review institutional eligibility for UMES health profession programs
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB486 Passed SB486 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-20
Higher Education - Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program - Eligible Institutions
Expanding eligibility under the Maryland Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program to include students attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and enrolled in certain Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, or Veterinary Medicine degree programs.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Mary Carozza (Sen - R) Kevin Harris (Sen - D) Ron Watson (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-07 H Favorable Report by Appropriations 2026-03-30 H Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-30 H Hearing canceled 2026-03-26 H Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-21 H Referred Appropriations 2026-03-20 S Third Reading Passed (41-0) 2026-03-19 S Second Reading Passed 2026-03-19 S Favorable Adopted 2026-03-18 S Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-02-10 S Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-02 S First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Votes
2026-03-20 Third Reading Passed Yea: 41 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 S Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-03-21 H Appropriations
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-03 Introduced 2026-03-20 Engrossed
Subjects
Higher Education Eastern Shore Medical Schools Pharmacists and Pharmacies Physician Assistants Physical Therapists Scholarships and Student Financial Aid State Universities and Colleges Students Veterinarians Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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