March 1st is the mailing deadline for the FAFSA to be considered for Maryland State scholarships and grants. If the FAFSA is mailed after March 1, the application is late and will not be considered for Maryland State scholarships and grants.
The State of Maryland has scholarship and grant programs based on a student's financial need, talents and gifts, or career choice. The State Scholarship Administration(www.mhec.state.md.us) administers 26 student financial assistance programs for Maryland residents. The State Scholarship Administration uses the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate eligibility for Maryland financial aid.
This list is not all-inclusive. Students must meet the qualification requirements for each scholarship, grant, or program. For additional information and requirements, students should contact the State Scholarship Administration at (410) 260-4565 or (800) 974-0203.
Guaranteed Access Grant (GA): The GA Grant pays most of the college expenses for Maryland students from very low-income families. Students must graduate with at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA).
Education Assistance Grant: Students must be from a family with low or moderate income and have financial need.
Maryland Diversity Grant: The Maryland Diversity Grant offers awards at public postsecondary institutions to financially needy students who have overcome some form of economic, social, or educational disadvantage, and/or who by their presence contribute toward a diverse student body at Bowie State University.
State Nursing Scholarship and Living Expenses Grant: The State Nursing Scholarship helps students who want to be nurses pay for college. If you are given a State Nursing Scholarship and have financial need, you may also apply for a Living Expenses Grant
Foster Care Tuition Waiver: This program provides a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees for certain students who have resided in foster care to attend a public 2-year or 4-year higher education institution in Maryland.
Senatorial Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded for as much as $2000 per year. Each Senator establishes the criteria to select recipients.
Delegate Scholarship: The three Delegates in each Maryland State legislative district select The Delegate Scholarship recipients.
Distinguished Scholar Program: This award honors Maryland high school juniors who are exceptionally talented academically or in the fine and performing arts.
Distinguished Scholar Teacher Education Program: This scholarship provides an additional $3000 in scholarship money for Distinguished Scholar finalists who would like to become teachers.
Science and Technology Program: This program provides scholarships to students who will enroll in computer science, engineering, and other specific science and technology programs, at Maryland colleges and universities and who agree to work in the state after graduation.
Maryland Teacher Education Program: Graduating high school seniors and undergraduates who would like to become classroom teachers in Maryland public high schools may apply for this scholarship. College graduates who have not completed a teacher education program or who do not have teacher certification may also apply.
Maryland HOPE Scholarship Program: The HOPE Scholarship provides scholarships to high school seniors who will attend college in Maryland and enroll in programs which will lead to jobs in the state in areas of shortage as determined by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
HOPE Scholarship for Community College Transfer Students: This program awards scholarships to certain students who will transfer from a Maryland community college to a 4-year college in the state.
Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Workforce Tuition Assistance Program: This program helps certain employees or students who agree to work as employees in community- based programs that serve individuals with certain disabilities.
Academic Common Market: Maryland is a member of the Academic Common Market, a consortium of fifteen southern states that allows non-resident students to enroll in specific degree programs at in-state tuition rates if the academic program is not offered in the home state. To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens or legally admitted permanent immigrant aliens and must have resided (or their parents have resided if the student is under 24 years-old) in Maryland for 12 months. Applicants must have been accepted into an approved program of study not offered at a Maryland college or university. The application form is available from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (www.mhec.state.md.us) and high school guidance offices. The participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (graduate level only), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (graduate level only), Virginia, and West Virginia. For additional information, visit (www.mhec.state.md.us).
