Financial Aid
Financial Aid is money that helps pay for college
Filing a FAFSA is the single most important thing you can do to get money for college. It’s the gateway to more than $150 billion in college grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans, as well as certain state-based aid.
Most students receive some type of financial aid, so you should fill out a FAFSA application even if you don't think you qualify. The FAFSA isn’t just for people who want or need federal student loans. The purpose of the FAFSA is also to determine aid you won't have to pay back, like college scholarships, grants, and even work-study funding.
Some private scholarships require a FAFSA as part of their application process. That's why completing a FAFSA is so important! Some colleges will not offer merit scholarships if you have not filed your FAFSA.
Merit-based aid is money given to students with special talents, skills or academic abilities
Need-based aid is available to those students who demonstrate financial need
Did you Know? the Maryland Higher Education Commission wants you to know that you must file the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) by March 1, 2024, to be considered for the Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant Click Here for more information on the FAFSA
Additional Financial Aid Resources
*Note: This can be downloaded in 10 different languages
MyinTuition Calculator
*Disclamer: The two websites above are only used for informational purposes. Enter their websites to find more information
Step by Step Video to fill out the FAFSA (Please note this was created by a school in Utah but it is the same process)
The College Funding Coach Helpful Videos
Attention Seniors: The FAFSA Window for the Class of 2023 will open on October 1, 2022 and will remain open until March 1, 2023
A few FAQ's...
Who gets federal student aid?
Every student, who meets certain eligibility requirements, can get some type of financial aid regardless of age or family income.
What is federal student aid?
It’s financial aid from the federal government to help you pay for eligible expenses at an eligible college, technical school, vocational school, or graduate school. There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans
What is the FAFSA?
It's The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which you need to complete to receive federal student aid.
How do I apply for aid?
Complete the FAFSA, online or in print. The simplified online application is available at: studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.
When do I complete the FAFSA?
Between October 1st - March 1st. March 1st is the deadline to be considered for Maryland state student aid.
How much aid is available?
More than $150 billion of aid is available every year to students to help cover tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other education-related expenses.
What is the Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant?
The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a grant that provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible in-state students currently enrolled as high school seniors who will complete a college preparatory program or a student who has obtained a General Educational Development Diploma (GED), and is under the age of 26. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100 percent of the student’s financial need and a student may receive an award for up to $19,400.
How Do I Become Eligible for the GA Grant?
You must be eligible for in-state tuition;
You must file the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) if eligible for in-state tuition, but ineligible to receive federal aid. To complete the MSFAA online click here.
You must file your FAFSA by March 1;
You must demonstrate need and meet certain income requirements;
You and your parents (if you are a dependent student) must meet the in-state tuition requirements per your institution;
You must enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university as a full-time (12+ credits per semester; audited courses cannot be used to reach the minimum credit hours required for full-time status), degree-seeking, undergraduate student;
High School Seniors:
Must have an unweighted cumulative 2.5 high school grade point average (GPA);
Must be under the age of 22 at the time of graduating high school
General Educational Development Diploma (GED) Recipients:
Must have scored a minimum of 165 per module on the diploma (GED) examination;
Must be under the age of 26 years at the time of receiving the first award; and
You must submit all required verification documents to MHEC.
I've been considered for Maryland State Aid, now what?
Students will need to create an MDCAPS account in order to submit all necessary paperwork to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). You can access the login page here to create a username and password. For more information on all types of state aid offered, you can visit the MHEC website at https://mhec.state.md.us/Pages/default.aspx.