Maryland State Programs
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) sponsors numerous grant and scholarship programs for Maryland residents. The state of Maryland offers an on-line inquiry system that allows students to view the status of their financial aid application and/or grant information.
The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant is for current high school seniors and full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates may apply for this need-based grant by completing the FAFSA by March 1. Students and their parents (if the student is a dependent) must be Maryland residents. Audited courses cannot be used to reach the minimum credit hours required for full-time status. Late applicants are placed on a wait list. Grants ranging from $400 to $3,000 may be renewed annually if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress, completes the FAFSA by March 1, continues to show financial need, and successfully completes 24 - 30 credits. The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant is available to current high school seniors who will complete a college preparatory program with a minimum, cumulative, unweighted 2.5 high school GPA. Applicants must enroll at a Maryland college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student; meet certain income requirements, (which change yearly and are posted on MHEC’s webpage) and complete the FAFSA. To renew MHEC funding, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, submit the FAFSA by March 1, continue to demonstrate financial need, and successfully completes 30 credits.
The Senatorial Scholarship Program is offered to current high school seniors and students enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking, undergraduate or graduate program. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by March 1 and contact their senator in February for further instructions.
The Delegate Scholarship Program is offered to current high school seniors and students enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking, undergraduate or graduate program. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by March 1 and contact their delegates in February for further instructions. A detailed list of all state of Maryland financial aid assistance programs and applications is available on the web site of the Maryland Higher Education Commission at mhec.state.md.us. State financial aid assistance is based on the availability of funds. Information about grants and other financial aid programs for residents of other states can be found at finaid.org and select the link for "US State Government Aid."
The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarships is for students who are enrolled or plan to enroll at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program who are seeking to pursue a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate must fulfill the following requirements.
- Be a Maryland resident or have graduated from a Maryland high school.
- Be currently enrolled in high school and have an overall GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent after completion of the first semester of the senior year or be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible institution.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and have made satisfactory progress toward a degree in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate.
- Achieved a score 500 on the reading and math portions of the SAT, with a combined score of at least 1100 or achieved a composite ACT score of 25; or achieved a score of 50% on the GRE and have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching.
- The students must agree to work as public school or public pre-kindergarten teachers in the state. For more information please visit: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/TeachingFellowsMDScholarship.aspx
A recipient is eligible to receive an scholarship amount of 100% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the University of Maryland College Park (UMPC) and 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution; or 50% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution and 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution. A private nonprofit institution must provide a matching scholarship in an amount equal to the state scholarship provided for tuition and fees only.
The Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program supports students who are pursuing an education in programs that have been identified by the Secretary of Higher Education as being directly relevant to cybersecurity.
To be eligible for this scholarship students must fulfill the following requirements.
- Eligible for in-state tuition under the provisions of Education Article, Title 15, Annotated Code of Maryland.
- Enrolled full-time at a public or a private non-profit institution in the state in an approved credit-bearing degree or an approved credit-bearing certificate program and be within two years of graduation from the student's program.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 while enrolled at the institution in an approved cybersecurity field. Student cannot be receiving a Federal Cyber Corps Scholarships for Service.
The amount of the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship award shall be in the amount prescribed by MHEC and may be used to pay for education expenses as defined by MHEC, including: tuition and mandatory fees; and room and board. For more information please visit: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/CyberSecurity-Scholarship-Program.aspx.