To accept or decline state awards please log on to MD CAPS.

Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant

Any Maryland high school senior or undergraduate student is eligible to apply for an Educational Assistance Grant. Awards are made by the State Scholarship Administration based upon the student' demonstrated financial need.

Eligibility

  • Must be a legal resident of Maryland
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Must be accepted for admission as a full-time student (minimum 12 credits per semester) in one of the eligible, degree-granting institutions in the State of Maryland

Award Amount

Grant values range from $400 to $3,000 per year.

How to Apply

To apply for the grant, your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by the state by  March 1. This grant is awarded on a priority basis on the FAFSA receipt date and based on the availability of funds.

Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grants

Any Maryland high school senior whose annual total family income is below 130 percent of the Federal poverty level is eligible to apply for a Guaranteed Access Grant.

Eligibility

  • Must be a legal resident of Maryland
  • Must begin college within one year of completing high school
  • Must have successfully completed a college preparatory program and achieved an unweighted grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • Must be accepted for admission as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester) in one of the eligible degree-granting institutions in the State of Maryland

Award Amount

The amount of a grant equals 100 percent of the student's financial need. The minimum annual award amount is $400 and the maximum award is $18,400.  Notre Dame of Maryland University participates in the Guaranteed Access Partnership Program that provides a matching grant to recipients of the GA Grant.  The amount of the match grant will be comprised of academic and institutional awards.

How to Apply

To be considered for a Guaranteed Access Grant, students must submit a Guaranteed Access Grant application to the Office of Student Financial Assistance and your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by the state by March 1.

2+2 Transfer Scholarship

The 2+2 Transfer Scholarship assists transfer students from Maryland community colleges to attend a 4-year institution.

Eligibility

  • Must be a legal resident of Maryland
  • Currently enrolled at a community college in Maryland
  • Earned an associate's degree by the end of the semester which you plan to transfer
  • Must be accepted to a degree program at a 4- year higher education institution in Maryland
  • Enrolled to complete a bachelor's program

Award Amount

The annual award amount will be $1,000.  For students who enroll in a science, teaching, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or nursing program, the amount will be $2,000.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship application on MD CAPS, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), submit an official college transcript reflecting the applicant has earned an associate's degree from a community college in Maryland, and the documentation if applicable that the student has registered with the selective service system.

Workforce Shortage Grant

The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) program is for students who plan on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation. The grant is available for current high school seniors, full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.

Eligible Fields

  • Child Care
  • Human Services
  • Teaching
  • Nursing
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Public Service

How to Apply

Complete and file the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant application by July 1 and provide official transcripts from institutions attended. To be considered based on need, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the application year. The FAFSA is not required; however, it will be used to determine the order in which students will be awarded.

Certain majors may requires additional documentation, which will be noted on the application. Applicants for the William Donald Schaefer Scholarship are required to submit, in addition to the application and transcripts, a FAFSA, a 1,000 word essay on a topic determined by the Commission and Advisory Council, a resume and three (3) letters of reference.

Maryland Part-Time Grant

The Maryland Part-Time grant is available for part-time (6-11 credits), degree-seeking undergraduates.

Award Amount

The minimum Part-Time Grant award is $200, and the maximum award is $2,000. Funds may not be available to award all eligible students.

How to Apply

Students must complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The office of financial aid will award to eligible students in the fall and spring semesters. No application is required.

Contact for Financial Assistance Information from the State of Maryland:

Maryland Higher Education Commission
Office of Student Financial Assistance
6 N. Liberty Street, Ground Suite
Baltimore, Maryland 21201 
mhec.state.md.us
410-260-4500 or 1-800-974-0203