State Financial Aid Programs



​State Financial Aid Programs
​​The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides a number of state grants, scholarships, and loan assistance repayment programs for eligible Maryland residents. Below you will find a complete listing of programs offered by MHEC.

To schedule a virtual appointment with the Office of Student Financial Assistance for questions concerning state financial aid click here.

Click Here For Important Scholarship and Grant Deadlines​


Need-Based Grants/Scholarships

Need-based grants/scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated financial need and do not have to be repaid


Name of Award Program Description of Program
Guaranteed Access Grant

The Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100 percent of the student's financial need.

Educational Assistance​ GrantThe Educational Assistance​ (EA) Grant is a need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions.
Campus Based Educational Assistance Grant

The Campus Based Educational Assistance Grant (CBEAG) program is a need-based financial aid program that is designed to financially assist students who were NOT considered for the Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant due to NOT filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MHEC One App by the Maryland state deadline of June 1.

2+2 Transfer ScholarshipThe 2+2 Transfer Scholarship is designed to assist and encourage transfer students from Maryland community colleges to attend a 4-year institution within the state. Students must be enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary education institution.
Part-​Time GrantThe Part-Time grant provides financial assistance to degree-seeking undergraduates and students dually enrolled at a Maryland high school and an institution of higher education.
Graduate & Professional Scholarship ProgramThe Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to degree-seeking graduate and professional students.
Maryland Community College Promise ScholarshipThe Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship that is available to students who enroll at Maryland community colleges.
Near Completer GrantThe Near Completer Grant provides financial assistance to Maryland residents who were previously enrolled in a degree program that they did not complete and now plan to re-enroll to earn their degree. 

​​​​Legislative Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded by Maryland Senators and Delegates

All Maryla​nd residents may apply for the Legislative Scholarships.  Maryland residents attending an out-of-state institution may apply if they meet the out-of-state exemptions found on the scholarship pages below.​

Delegate ScholarshipThe Delegate Scholarship is offered to Maryland residents who plan to pursue a postsecondary credential full-time or part-time at a two-year or a four-year Maryland college, university or private career school.
Senatorial Scholarship The Senatorial Scholarship is offered to current high school seniors and full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students attending a private career school.


Career/Occupation-Based Grants & Scholarships

Grants and Scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in a certain degree program

The Maryland Police Officer Scholarship Program

 

The Maryland Police Officer Scholarship is awarded to current police officers or individuals planning to become a police officer, who are enrolled in an academic program that furthers their career in law enforcement. Recipients must pledge to work as a police officer in the state upon completion of their studies.

Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship

 

The Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship program provides financial assistance to Maryland residents enrolled at one of the state's Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the ROTC program.
Teaching Fellows for Maryland ScholarshipThe Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who pledge to work as public school or public prekindergarten teachers at schools that have at least 50% of the students in the school eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM) in Maryland upon completion of their studies.
Charles W. Riley Firefighter & Ambulance & Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program

The Charles W. Riley Firefighter & Ambulance & Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to Maryland residents in the fire-fighting, ambulance, and rescue organizations serving Maryland communities to pursue credited courses that lead to a degree in fire service technology, emergency medical technology, fire service management, or public safety administration with a minor or concentration in fire service technology or fire service management.

 

Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program

 

 

The Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to Maryland residents pursuing an education in programs that have been identified by the Secretary of Higher Education as being directly relevant to cybersecurity.
Workforce Development Sequence ScholarshipThe Workforce Development Sequence Scholarship provides financial assistance to students enrolling in an approved non-credit​ certificate program leading to apprenticeships, employment, licensure, or job skill enhancement only at participating Maryland community colleges.

Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program

 

The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant provides financial assistance to Maryland residents planning on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation.  Eligible fields include: child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service.

Tuition Reduction for Non-Resident Nursing Students

The Tuition Reduction for Non-Resident Nursing Students is available for non-residents accepted into a nursing program at who attend a two-year or four-year public institution in Maryland.


​​Unique Populations

Grants or scholarships are available to certain individuals majoring in a specific field at a postsecondary institution

Jack F. Tolbert Memorial Student Grant ProgramThe Jack F. Tolbert Memorial Student Grant Program (Tolbert Grant Program) is to provide financial assistance to full-time students attending approved private career schools in Maryland.
Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Student Grant Program and Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program

The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program provides student financial assistance to certain Maryland residents due to their eligible military or public safety service or due to their eligible family or marital relationship to such an individual.

The Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to eligible children and surviving spouses of school employees who, , either died or sustained an injury that rendered the school employee 100 percent disabled, as a victim in an act of violence occurring in the line of duty.

The Douglas ​J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship

​​The Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program ​provides financial assistance to United States Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their son, daughter​, stepson, stepdaughter or spouse who are current high school seniors and full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.


​ ​Tuition Waiver Programs

Tuition waiver for individuals attending a Maryland public institution

​​​

Tuition Waiver for Foster Care RecipientsTuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients is available to foster care youth who are enrolled as a candidate for an associate, bachelor's degree, or vocational certificate at a Maryland public institution of higher education. The purpose of Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients is to provide financial assistance to foster care youth.
Tuition Waiver for ​ Homeless YouthThe Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth provides financial assistance to ​homeless youth who are enrolled as a candidate for an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or vocational certificate at a Maryland Public institution of higher education. 
Tuition Waiver for Maryland National Guard
Tuition Waiver for individuals in the National Guard.
Tuition Waiver for Students with Disabilities Tuition Waiver for students receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Service Obligations

An individual who received a scholarship that requires a service requirement must begin employment in Maryland one year after degree completion, as outlined in the recipient's service obligation agreement and signed promissory note. Information on the applicable service obligation requirement for the respective program is accessible​ by clicking here. ​


State Grant and Scholarship Appeals
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) understands that students experience special circumstance that may cause them to fail to meet certain requirements for State awards. Therefore, OSFA has developed an appeal process which allows students, in certain instances, to appeal for (re)consideration of certain State financial aid programs. Click here to submit an appeal. 

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Maryland529 (formerly College Savings Plans of Maryland)

 

 

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