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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Establishes Direct College Admission Program for Eligible High School Students
Last action · May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 613Sponsor: Malcolm Augustine
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What This Bill Does
Maryland enacts Senate Bill 324, creating a direct admission program at participating for eligible high school students beginning in the 2028-2029 academic year. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will administer the program through its financial aid system and the Common Application, while participating institutions must waive application fees for direct admission applicants. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
High school students applying to participating public four-year colleges in Maryland receive conditional direct admission offers and fee waivers, changing the college application process and streamlining admissions.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
High school students
Eligible high school students receive conditional direct admission offers and application fee waivers from participating public colleges.
Public senior higher education institutions
Institutions choose whether to participate, must waive application fees if participating, and agree to use established eligibility requirements.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
The Commission must administer the direct admission program, generate customized student lists, and conduct an implementation study.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the direct admission program begin?
Do students have to pay an application fee for direct admission?
Can a college revoke a direct admission offer?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
17 actions- May 26, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolledApproved by the Governor - Chapter 613
- Apr 13, 2026SenateFloorReturned Passed
- Apr 13, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading Passed (136-1)
- Apr 9, 2026HouseFloorFavorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- Apr 9, 2026HouseCommitteeFavorable Report by Appropriations
- Apr 7, 2026HouseHearing 4/07 at 1:30 p.m.
Show 11 earlier actions
- Apr 7, 2026HouseHearing canceled
- Apr 7, 2026HouseHearing 4/07 at 1:15 p.m.
- Apr 7, 2026HouseHearing canceled
- Mar 26, 2026HouseHearing 4/07 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred Appropriations
- Mar 20, 2026SenateFloorThird Reading Passed (41-0)
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorSecond Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFavorable with Amendments { 953921/1 Adopted
- Mar 18, 2026SenateCommitteeFavorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
- Jan 29, 2026SenateHearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 22, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Delayed Program Launch
Although the act takes effect July 1, 2026, the actual direct admission program is deferred to begin in the 2028-2029 academic year, allowing time for a study and administrative setup.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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