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 or MHEC One App by June 1. Students and their parents (if the student is 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 or MHEC One App by the priority deadline of June 1, 2025, 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 or MHEC One App. To renew MHEC funding, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, submit the FAFSA or MHEC One App by June 1, continue to demonstrate financial need, and successfully complete 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 or MHEC One App by June 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 or MHEC One App by the priority deadline of June 1, 2025, 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, for eligibility requirements please visit mhec.maryland.gov.
A recipient is eligible to receive an award contingent on the availability of funds as follows:
- At a Maryland public senior higher education institution, the scholarship award is equivalent to 100% of the annual tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate.
- At a Maryland private nonprofit institution, the scholarship award is equal to the lesser 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 (UMCP) 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 equal amount 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 requirements that are listed on mhec.maryland.gov
The Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship shall be in the amount prescribed by MHEC and may be used to pay education expenses as defined by MHEC, including tuition and mandatory fees, and room and board. For more information please visit: Cybersecurity Scholarship Program.