(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the recipient of a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship shall repay the Commission the funds received as set forth in § 18-112 of this title if the recipient does not:
(1) Satisfy the degree requirements of the eligible course of study or program or fulfill other requirements as provided in this subtitle;
(2) Perform the service obligation to teach in a public school or a public prekindergarten program in a high-needs school, as identified by the Department, or in a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators, as identified by the Department, for a period of at least 2 years; and
(3) Become professionally certified to teach in the State of Maryland within the time period specified by the Commission in consultation with the Department.
(b) (1) If a recipient is unable to perform the service obligation required under this subtitle because there are no available positions in a qualifying school, grade level, or content area, the recipient may work in any public school or public prekindergarten program in the State.
(2) If a recipient performs the service obligation by teaching at a school, grade level, or content area previously identified as high-needs that is no longer identified as high-needs, the recipient may continue to teach in that school, grade level, or content area without being required to repay the funds received under this subtitle.
(c) The Office shall forgive a recipient of a Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship for 2 years of an award if:
(1) (i) The recipient has taken the teacher certification examination, approved by the State Board of Education, in 2 consecutive years; and
(ii) The recipient fails to pass the teacher certification examination within the time period specified by the Commission in accordance with subsection (a)(3) of this section; or
(2) The recipient provides to the Office satisfactory evidence of extenuating circumstances that prevent the recipient from becoming professionally certified to teach in the State.