Educational Services - Post-Secondary Institutions

The FAFSA Simplification Act, signed into law in December 2020, restored Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated individuals for the first time since 1994. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) created new regulations, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, that all higher education institutions must follow in order to operate a Prison Education Program (PEP) within a correctional facility. The regulations outline several requirements for an eligible PEP, as defined in 34 CFR & 668.236. The "Oversight Entity" (defined as the appropriate State department of corrections or other entity that is responsible for overseeing correctional facilities) is required to approve, report, oversee, and evaluate all incoming college and/or university programs and make a "best interest determination" as to whether the institutions are acting in the best interest of the students, two years after initial approval, with feedback from relevant stakeholders. Information on the published federal PEP regulation rules can be found here: Federal Register (87 FR 65426)

Through the DPSCS led Maryland Advisory Committee on Prison Education Programs (MACPEP), a federally required group under 34 CFR & 668.235, the Department works with various stakeholders such as currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to approve colleges and/or universities to provide programs in the state prisons. Information on the MACPEP and PEP approval process can be found here: PEP & MACPEP (PDF)

DPSCS oversees and collaborates with the following colleges and universities to provide educational programs to incarcerated students:

• Goucher College - Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in American Studies
• University of Baltimore - BA degree in Human Services Administration
• Bowie State University - Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Sociology and Certificate in Entrepreneurship
• Georgetown University - BA degree in Liberal Arts
• Towson University - BA degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (coming in Fall 2026)
• Anne Arundel Community College - Certificate in Small Business Management (coming in Fall 2026)
• Hagerstown Community College - Certificate in Welding & Fabrication and Associates degree in General Studies (coming in Fall 2026)