(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, each recipient of a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may renew the award three times if the recipient:
(1) Continues to be a resident of the State or graduated from a high school in the State;
(2) Continues to be a full–time or part–time undergraduate or graduate student at an eligible institution as determined by the Office;
(3) Has achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and maintains this minimum cumulative grade point average throughout the remainder of this award, or failing to do so, provides evidence of extenuating circumstances;
(4) In the judgment of the institution, is making satisfactory progress toward a degree; and
(5) Maintains the standards of the institution.
(b) Each recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship may renew the annual award four times if the recipient is enrolled in a course of study that, as determined by the institution, requires 5 years to complete.