Maryland Higher Education Commission

June 2009 Press Release

 

 

For immediate release: June 23, 2009                                                     Media Contact: Christopher Falkenhagen

                                                                                                                           Communications: (410) 260-4511

 

 

Application deadline for fallen soldiers and public safety employees' scholarship is July 15

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 23, 2009) -  July 15, 2009 is the deadline for children and spouses of fallen soldiers and public safety employees attending a Maryland postsecondary institution to apply for the Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship. The Conroy Scholarship is one of the many programs administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Disabled veterans may also qualify for funds if federal education assistance has been exhausted. Also eligible are children or spouses of a victim of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who died or was disabled as a result of military service, or of a POW/MIA from the Vietnam Conflict.

During the recently concluded Maryland General Assembly session, MHEC supported a bill that impacts the Conroy Scholarship, which was strongly supported by Governor O’Malley and signed into law after the 2009 General Assembly Session. Chapter 461 of 2009, also signed into law by Governor O’Malley, allows sons or daughters of fallen public safety officers who are eligible for the Conroy Scholarship and who live out of state to pay Maryland tuition rates at a postsecondary institution in Maryland.

“Our soldiers and public safety officers risk their lives every day to help and protect the citizens of Maryland and of the United States,” Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr. said. “It makes me proud that MHEC, through the Conroy scholarship, has the opportunity to help those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty get a college degree. Governor O’Malley has been a great partner in supporting this program from the outset of his administration.”

Applications for the Edward T. Conroy Scholarship are available on MHEC’s website at: http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_conroy.asp.

This scholarship is named after the late Maryland State Senator Edward T. Conroy, a veteran of the Korean War. During his legislative career, spanning 20 years serving Prince George’s County, Senator Conroy took a particular interest in veterans’ issues, having introduced a series of legislation that benefited veterans.
 

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 337,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.

 

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