Chapter 190: Nursing Scholarship Program

§ 190-1 Legislative authority; administration.

A scholarship program is authorized by Chapter 114 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Charles County for courses of study leading to a certificate, diploma or other evidence of qualification to practice on completion of specialized training in categories as defined in these guidelines.

The scholarship program is administered by the County Commissioners of Charles County, Maryland, through the Clerk to the County Commissioners. The Charles County Scholarship Committee, as defined herein, shall be an advisory and recommending agency.

The County Commissioners of Charles County, Maryland, may approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the College of Southern Maryland or other appropriate nonprofit agency to administer some or all aspects of this program in lieu of the administrative process and responsibilities outlined in this chapter. Such MOU may outline different eligibility, study area, fund use, different Scholarship Committee composition and award criteria, as well as other administrative policies, procedures and forms deemed appropriate and acceptable to the County Commissioners of Charles County, Maryland.

[Added 3-20-2012 by Bill No. 2012-03; amended 6-20-2017 by Bill No. 2017-05]

§ 190-2 Eligibility.

Scholarships may be awarded by the County Commissioners to an individual who is a Charles County resident, makes application for a scholarship in accordance with these guidelines and whose application is reviewed and favorably recommended by the Charles County Scholarship Committee.

§ 190-3 Study areas and fund use.

Scholarships may be provided for study in the following areas:

(1)

Nursing.

(2)

X-ray technician.

(3)

Laboratory technician.

(4)

Physical therapist.

(5)

Occupational therapist.

(6)

Respiratory therapist.

(7)

Speech therapist.

Scholarships will be awarded subject to funding made available by the County Commissioners for this purpose.

Scholarship funds may be used toward tuition, books, lab fees and registration fees.

Except as otherwise stated, the scholarship must be used at an accredited institution located in Charles County, Maryland. If there is no accredited institution in Charles County that offers the field of study, the scholarship must be utilized at an accredited institution located within the State of Maryland.

[Amended 6-20-2017 by Bill No. 2017-05]

§ 190-4 Charles County Scholarship Committee.

Composition. The County Commissioners shall appoint five individuals to comprise the Charles County Scholarship Committee. The Committee shall be comprised of a doctor of medicine, an educator, a nurse and two other individuals as determined by the County Commissioners.

Terms. Each Committee member shall be appointed to a four-year term; provided, however, that the terms of three of the initially appointed members shall be for one, two and three years, respectively, so as to provide for staggered terms.

Duties. The Committee shall review applications for scholarships and make recommendations to the County Commissioners with regard to each application. Application shall be considered on the basis of demonstrated aptitude, interest, ability, financial need and the community's projected need for individuals with the requested training.

Funding. The amount of each scholarship shall be recommended by the Scholarship Committee to the County Commissioners.

§ 190-5 Additional scholarship conditions.

[Amended 3-20-2012 by Bill No. 2012-03; 6-20-2017 by Bill No. 2017-05[1]]

All applicants that complete the field of study for which the scholaship was awarded are required to practice in their respective field in Charles County for a period of time that equates to not less than two years of full-time employment following completion of such course of study.

The practice shall be at a licensed medical facility located within Charles County.

[1]

Editor's Note: This bill also amended the title of this § 190-5 from "Applications for scholarships" to its current title.