MHEC, independent colleges urge panel to reject proposed cuts to Sellinger funding

Maryland Higher Education Commission officials and leaders of independent colleges told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee on Feb. 12 that they oppose Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recommendations to sharply reduce or eliminate the Sellinger funding formula and replace it with a needs‑based grant program.

The DLS analysis presented to the subcommittee recommended cutting Sellinger funding and restricting remaining funds to competitive grants; DLS figures mentioned in the hearing included proposed reductions in the range of tens of millions of dollars (DLS cited figures around $36.7 million and proposed percentage reductions reported in the analysis). Sarah Baker, the DLS analyst who presented the budget review, said the recommendation was intended to align the program with current budget constraints and to target funds by institutional financial need.

The suggestion prompted unified pushback from Maryland Higher Education Commission officials and independent college leaders. Dr. Sanjay Rai, Maryland’s secretary of higher education, asked…