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Maryland State House dome, Annapolis. Demands for the state's BOOST program have reached record numbers. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Record demand: BOOST scholarship applications surge


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, Maryland General Assembly, News, Schools

Demand for scholarships from the Maryland BOOST program (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) is at record levels, according to data shared in a July 31 public meeting. 

Maryland Matters reported the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) received about 7,000 applications from low-income families for $9 million in scholarships.

Garrett O’Day, deputy director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, told the BOOST advisory board that total need, based on the number of certified applicants for the 2023-24 school year, is double the $9 million appropriated by the state legislature.

“This year, we had an equal number of first-time and returning applicants,” O’Day said. “With the public interest and unprecedented demand for scholarships, we need to urge our state elected officials to recognize this demand from parents and continue to support BOOST. 

BOOST is a state program that provides scholarships at Catholic, other religious and secular nonpublic schools for students eligible for the free or reduced-price school meals program.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in BOOST, a nonpublic school must:

• Hold a certificate of approval from or be registered with the State Board of Education;

• Be approved to participate in the Nonpublic Textbook Program;

• Provide more than only pre-K and kindergarten programs; and

• Comply with all BOOST reporting requirements by the specified date.

To read more about the BOOST program, visit: https://catholicreview.org/deadline-approaching-to-apply-for-boost-scholarships/

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