Maryland is the Free State and the Old Line State. This is a state that does what it can to help its residents to earn the college degrees that they yearn for to enhance their lives. Some of the grants are need-based while others are merit-based. There are others that awarded based on your commitment to work in the same field as the course of study you are in. It is the Maryland Higher Education Commission that is responsible for all of the public education grants and scholarships in Maryland. Let us take a look at what the state of Maryland has to offer you in terms of financial assistance.
College Bound Last-Dollar Grant
Also sometimes referred to as the Last Dollar Grant this is a need-based grant program that was created specifically for those who have graduated from Baltimore City Public High School. This grant program can be renewed for up to five years that you spend studying in a post-secondary institution.
This grant awards in the range of $400 to $3,000 on an annual basis. Approximately 90 to 250 undergraduate students attending colleges in Maryland receive this award money every year. Those who receive $3,000 a year for their schooling would be eligible to receive $15,000 for a five year degree program.
To apply for this grant you must be able to demonstrate that you need the money to attend a post-secondary institution. Recipients must be accepted into or currently attending one of the nine participating colleges or universities in Maryland. These colleges include Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Frostburg State University, Morgan State University, St. Mary, Stevenson University, Towson University, University of Maryland College or University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant
The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant (sometimes simply called the Educational Assistance Grant) is a need-based grant that current high school seniors and full-time college and university undergraduates working towards degrees are eligible to apply for.
To apply you must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be downloaded from the website found here- http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ or you can obtain a copy through your high school or college. You should file a FAFSA anywhere between January 1st through March 1st. The earlier you apply the better. Those who apply late will be placed on a waiting list. All majors and fields of study are eligible to apply for this grant.
If you are a dependent student then both you and your parents must be residents of the state of Maryland to apply for this grant program. You must be a full-time student taking 12 or more credits per semester at a two or four year college or university in the state. Courses that are being audited do not count as credit hours for the full-time status required to apply for this grant.
Financial need must be clearly demonstrated. Students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) are awarded the grant money first. The award may be renewed as long as the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress. The Educational Assistance Grant awards anywhere from $400 to $2,700 to students per academic year.
Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant
The Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant (also known as the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant) is a state-funded grant that when combined with money from the Federal Pell Grant and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is designed to help cover the tuition costs and related fees of attending a college or university in Maryland on a full-time basis.
The access grant is open to those students who are currently in their last year of high school who are taking a college preparatory program. To apply you must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must also complete and submit the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant application.
You must demonstrate financial need to apply for this grant and you must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher. You also must be planning to enroll in a two or four year college or university following your high school graduation.
All majors are eligible to apply for this grant. You are strongly encouraged to have your application in before the 1st of March. Students who are approved for the Guaranteed Access Grant will receive anywhere from $400 to $1,000 through this program.
