Guaranteed Access 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 $18,600.

How do I become eligible for the GA Grant?

High School Seniors:

  • You must be eligible for in-state tuition;

  • You must file a separate State financial aid application if eligible for in-state tuition, but ineligible to receive federal aid;

  • 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;

  • You must have an unweighted cumulative 2.5 high school grade point average (GPA);

  • You must be under the age of 22 at the time of graduating high school; and

  • You must submit all required verification documents no later than April 1.