(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)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, perform the service obligation to teach in a public school or a public prekindergarten program that has at least 50% of its students eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM) for a period of:

(i)    For a recipient who received a scholarship as an undergraduate student, 1 year for each year that the recipient has a scholarship awarded under this subtitle; and

(ii)    For a recipient who received a scholarship as a graduate student, 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 Maryland Department of Education.

(b)    If a recipient is unable to perform the service obligation required under this subtitle because there are no available positions in a public school or public prekindergarten program that has at least 50% of its students eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM), the recipient may work in any public school or public prekindergarten program in the State.

(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.