(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “FAFSA” means the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
(3) “MSFAA” means the Maryland State Financial Aid Application.
(b) (1) Each county board shall encourage and assist as many high school seniors as possible in completing and submitting a FAFSA, or a MSFAA if ineligible to complete a FAFSA, by the deadline for eligibility for State financial aid set by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
(2) A county board shall develop an outreach plan to achieve the objective under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Each outreach plan shall include:
(i) Completion of a data sharing agreement with the Commission to receive FAFSA Filing Status Information under the federal FAFSA Completion Initiative;
(ii) At least three evening or weekend financial aid nights at each school that provide information and assistance to students and their parents or guardians in completing the FAFSA, or the MSFAA if ineligible to complete the FAFSA;
(iii) A description of partnerships, if any, with:
1. A community college or 4–year institution of higher education servicing that jurisdiction; or
2. Nonprofit organizations with the purpose of assisting students with accessing postsecondary education or college access organizations;
(iv) A description of the county’s student awareness campaign about completing the FAFSA, or the MSFAA if ineligible to complete the FAFSA, and the postsecondary education financial aid planning process, including when during the high school years students will begin receiving information; and
(v) Plans to ensure that students and their families from the following populations intentionally receive the necessary information, assistance, and support:
1. Traditionally underserved students, including low–income, minority, and nonnative English speakers;
2. Unaccompanied and homeless youth; and
3. Foster children.
(4) Each county board shall:
(i) Update its outreach plan each year to address gaps and disparities among schools and student populations; and
(ii) On or before October 1, 2022, and each October 1 thereafter, send a copy of its outreach plan required under this subsection to the Department, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Financial Assistance Advisory Council, and the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Committee on Ways and Means, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.
(c) (1) On or before December 15 each year, beginning in 2023 and ending in 2028, the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center shall submit a report to the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:
(i) The number of students who completed and submitted the FAFSA in the immediately preceding school year;
(ii) The number of students who did not complete and submit the FAFSA in the immediately preceding school year; and
(iii) The number of students who completed the FAFSA by the deadline for eligibility for State financial aid.
(2) The Maryland Longitudinal Data System shall disaggregate the information reported under paragraph (1) of this subsection by county and other student subgroups.
(3) The Commission shall provide the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center with access to student FAFSA data:
(i) In the federal Student Aid Internet Gateway; and
(ii) Collected by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
(d) (1) On or before April 1, 2022, the Financial Assistance Advisory Council in the Maryland Higher Education Commission shall submit a report to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Committee on Ways and Means, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on ways to assist county boards with connecting students to financial aid opportunities, including:
(i) Identifying best practices; and
(ii) Compiling relevant materials and toolkits.
(2) On or before December 1, 2022, and each December 1 thereafter, the Financial Assistance Advisory Council in the Maryland Higher Education Commission shall review the plans submitted under subsection (b)(4) of this section and the data reported under subsection (c)(1) of this section to make recommendations on updates to county board outreach plans.