State Financial Aid Grant and Scholarship Appeal Criteria

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) understands that students experience special circumstances that may cause them to fail to meet certain requirements for receipt of State awards. Therefore, OSFA has developed an appeal process which allows students, in certain instances, to appeal for (re)consideration of their state award.

How to appeal:

Applicants must complete and submit the online appeal request form by the applicable deadline.  All required documentation must be uploaded and submitted with the appeal request.  Once the appeal has been submitted a decision of the appeal request will be provided by email within 45 business days. Incomplete and late appeal requests will be denied. 

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2023-2024 Scholarship and Grant Appeal Request Form​​

​Appeal Type

Eligible Program(s)

Appeal Description

Deadline to Submit Appeal

​Special Financial

Circumstance

Appeal​


Educational Assistance Grant/Guaranteed Access Grant Award/2+2 Transfer Scholarship Programs

If your family has experienced a significant reduction in income, the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) may be able to reevaluate your financial need based on your 2022 income or your total projected 2023 income.


​​

May 31,

2023

​Closed

Late FAFSA/MSFAA Appeal

Educational Assistance Grant Program or Guaranteed​ Access Grant Program

If an applicant does not file the FAFSA/MSFAA by March 1, due to extenuating circumstances, ​they may appeal to OSFA.

May 15, 

2023

Closed



2.5 High School Cumulative Grade Point Average Appeal

Guaranteed Access Grant Program

Students who fail to earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in high school due to extenuating circumstances and have been denied a Guaranteed Access Grant may appeal this decision. 

June 15, 

2023

Closed​

​5th Year Appeal

Guaranteed Access Grant & Educational Assistance Grant Award Programs

The maximum time frame of eligibility for the Guaranteed Access Grant and Educational Assistance Grant is 8 terms. Under certain circumstances students may appeal to receive this award for an additional semester/academic year.

June 15, 

2023

Closed​

Delayed College Entrance Appeal

Guaranteed Access Grant Program

If an applicant fails to begin college within one year of their high school graduation, they are denied the Guaranteed Access Grant, and my appeal this decision.

June 15, 

2023

Closed​

3.3 Cumulative

GPA Appeal 


Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship Program

If a recipient fails to maintain the 3.3 cumulative required grade point average to maintain their renewal award, may appeal if they provide documentation of extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting the GPA requirement.

July 15, 

2023

Closed​



2.5 Cumulative GPA Appeal

Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship Program

If a recipient fails to maintain the 2.5 cumulative required grade point average to maintain their renewal award, may appeal if they provide documentation of extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting the GPA requirement. 

July 15, 

2023

Closed​



Allowable Interruptions of Study Appeal


Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship Program

A recipient receiving the Promise Scholarship who failed to maintain continuous enrollment at the community college due to extenuating circumstances and have been denied a Promise Scholarship may appeal this decision.

July 15, 

2023

Closed​

​​​

Program of Study​​


Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship Program

A recipient is enrolled in a course of student or program that requires five years to complete the recipient must provide documentation of the program of study requirements.

August 1, ​

2023

Closed

Credit Completion Appeal Due to Academic Program

Educational Assistance Grant or Guaranteed Access Grant Award Programs

A recipient must complete 30 credits to renew the full amount of their EA or GA award and a minimum of 24 credits to receive a prorated amount after the second year of enrollment.  A recipient may appeal this requirement if they were enrolled in a specific course or activity (e.g., internship, study abroad, clinical) that prevented them from completing at least 12 credits per term. 

 

The following documents must be completed by the appropriate representative at your institution, and submitted with your appeal request:

Ø Financial Aid Officer Certification Form

 

August 1, 2023

Closed

Credit Completion Appeal Due to Disability Appeal

Educational Assistance Grant or Guaranteed Access Grant Award Programs

A recipient that completes less than 24 credits after the second year of receiving the award may be eligible to appeal this requirement, if they have a disability that prevents them from completing 24 credits. ​

​​

 

The following documents must be completed by the appropriate representative at your institution, and submitted with your appeal request:

Ø  Financial Aid Officer Certification Form

 

August 1, 2023

Closed​

Enrolled in Less than 12 Credits due to Academic Program Appeal​​

Educational Assistance Grant/Guaranteed Access Grant Award/Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship

A recipient may be eligible to appeal and receive an award, if enrolled for less than 12 credits, in a specific course or activity (e.g., internship, practicum, clinical) as a requirement for your academic program. 

 

The following documents must be completed by the appropriate representative at your institution, and submitted with your appeal request:

Ø Financial Aid Officer Certification FormØDepartment Chair Certification Form


Fall Term ​

Oct.15, 2023

 

Spring Term  March 15, 2024

Enrolled in Less than 12 Credits Due to Disability Appeal

Educational Assistance Grant/Guaranteed Access Grant Award/Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship

A recipient may be eligible to appeal this requirement and receive an award, if you have a disability that prevents you from enrolling in 12 credits. 

 

The following documents must be completed by the appropriate representative at your institution, and submitted with your appeal request:

Ø Financial Aid Officer Certification Form

 ​

 

Fall Term  October 15, 2023

 

Spring Term  March 15, 2024​​

 

For questions concerning the appeal criteria and requirements email the Office of Student Financial Assistance at osfamail.mhec@maryland.gov.


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