Navigating Maryland Higher Education Commission Scholarships: Eligibility and Opportunities
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) serves as the coordinating body for higher education in the state, setting policies for both public and private institutions. To support Maryland residents pursuing postsecondary education, the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at MHEC offers various grants, scholarships, and loan repayment assistance programs. These programs aim to provide financial assistance to eligible students based on need, merit, or specific criteria. MHEC utilizes the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) and the MHEC One-App to streamline the application process for State scholarships and grants.
Understanding State Financial Aid Programs
MHEC provides a range of financial aid programs designed to assist students at different stages of their academic careers. These programs include need-based grants, scholarships for specific fields of study, and assistance for veterans and their families. The annual total dollar amount of all state awards may not exceed the student's Cost of Attendance (COA) or $28,600, whichever is less. MHEC may adjust or cancel awards at any time based on updated information, making it crucial for students to respond promptly to any requests for additional information from their institution's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and/or MHEC.
Guaranteed Access Grant
The Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant that ensures financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions. The grant covers 100 percent of the student's financial need for the first two years of receiving the award.
Educational Assistance Grant
The Educational Assistance (EA) Grant, part of the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards, is a need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions. A student may receive an award of up to $3,000 for up to four years to cover educational expenses.
Eligibility Requirements for the Educational Assistance Grant:
- Submit their 2026-2027 FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2026.
- Have a Maryland university or college listed on their FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2026.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be a currently enrolled high school senior OR currently enrolled at an eligible two-year or four-year Maryland institution as a full-time (12 credits/semester) degree-seeking undergraduate student.
- Cannot have previously received a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Submit any required documentation by August 1, 2026.
Financial Need Calculation for the 2026-2027 EA Grant:
An EA Grant is determined by student need and is calculated using the following formula:
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OSFA-Calculated Cost of Attendance (adjusts based on housing status) +/- Regional Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)- Student Aid Index (SAI)- Certain State Awards (if awarded)- Federal Pell Grant= OSFA Adjusted Financial Need
Maximum annual award amount: $3,000 | Minimum annual award amount: $400
2+2 Transfer Scholarship
The 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 within a timely manner. Students must be enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary education institution.
Part-Time Grant
The 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 Program
The Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to degree-seeking graduate and professional students. It is a last-dollar scholarship that is available to students who enroll at Maryland community colleges.
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Delegate Scholarship
The Maryland Delegate Scholarship is offered to Maryland residents who plan to pursue a postsecondary credential full-time (12+ credits undergraduate or 9+ credits graduate per semester) or part-time (6-11 credits undergraduate or 6-8 credits graduate per semester) at a two-year or four-year Maryland college, university or private career school.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Current high school seniors.
- Current or prospective full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students.
- Current or prospective part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students.
- Current or prospective full-time degree-seeking graduate students.
- Current or prospective part-time degree-seeking graduate students.
- Current or prospective private career school enrollees.
- Undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition.
- Currently enrolled, or were enrolled within the last two years, in a certificate or license program, course, or sequence of courses at a community college that leads to certification or licensure may use the scholarship to reimburse educational expenses.
- All in-state majors are eligible
Application Process & Requirements:
Current or prospective students should contact their local State Delegate for instructions on how to apply. OSFA will administer awards based on need, as demonstrated on the student's FAFSA.
FAFSA Exception:
If a student is eligible for in-state tuition, but ineligible to receive Federal aid, the student must file the Maryland Higher Education Commission One-Application (MHEC One-App) instead of completing the FAFSA.
Award Amount:
- 2026-2027 Award Minimum: $200
- 2026-2027 Award Maximum: Amount not yet determined
The student may hold the Delegate Scholarship with all state awards. The total dollar amount of all state scholarship awards may not exceed the students cost of attendance (as determined by their Financial Aid Office). Funds may not be available to award all eligible students.
Renewal Requirements:
The Delegate scholarship is not renewable. Students must re-apply each year to their local Delegates.
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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.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Current high school seniors;
- Current or prospective full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students;
- Current or prospective part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students;
- Current or prospective full-time degree-seeking graduate students;
- Current or prospective part-time degree-seeking graduate students;
- Current or prospective private career school enrollees;
- Undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition; or
- Currently enrolled, or were enrolled within the last two years, in a certificate or license program, course, or sequence of courses at a community college that leads to certification or licensure may use the scholarship to reimburse educational expenses.
- All in-state majors are eligible
Application Process & Requirements:
Current or prospective students should contact their local state Senators for instructions on how to apply. To complete the MHEC One-App online click here.
Award Amount:
- 2026-2027 Award Minimum: $400
- 2026-2027: Amount not yet determined
The student may hold the Senatorial Scholarship with all state awards. The total dollar amount of all state scholarship awards may not exceed the students cost of attendance (as determined by their Financial Aid Office). Funds may not be available to award all eligible students.
Renewal Requirements:
A recipient is eligible to receive a renewal award for up to three years if the recipient:
- Continues to be a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student.
- Continues to make satisfactory progress toward a degree and maintains the standards of the institution.
A recipient may hold a scholarship for a fifth undergraduate academic year or for a semester subsequent to the end of a fourth undergraduate academic year if the recipient:
- Has requested a scholarship from the Senator for a fifth undergraduate academic year or for a semester subsequent to the end of a fourth undergraduate academic year.
- Is a full-time student.
- Continues to be a resident of the state.
- Continues to be a student at the institution and takes courses leading to a degree.
- Has exhausted the funds available under the Senatorial Scholarship.
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.
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 eligible Maryland residents who are active members of a fire, ambulance, or rescue squad.
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 Scholarship
The 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 who attend a two-year or four-year public institution in Maryland.
Jack F. Tolbert Memorial Student Grant Program
The Jack F. Tolbert Memorial Student Grant Program supports students attending 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.
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.
Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship
The Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship supports students who demonstrate leadership qualities and a commitment to service.
Application Process and Key Considerations
To apply for MHEC scholarships, students generally need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the MHEC One-App. The MHEC One-App is specifically for Maryland residents eligible for in-state tuition but not eligible to file the FAFSA. Students must log into or create their Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) account to get started.
Important Deadlines:
- FAFSA/MHEC One-App Submission: For many grants, such as the Educational Assistance Grant, the FAFSA or MHEC One-App must be submitted by March 1. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the deadline is March 1, 2026.
- Documentation Deadline: The deadline for submitting any required documentation is typically August 1. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the deadline is August 1, 2026.
Additional Notes:
- Students must accept their award(s), submit any requested documents, and confirm/update their housing status and the institution that they plan to attend.
- Students are required to update their MDCAPS account if and when their housing status changes.
- The annual total dollar amount of all state awards may not exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA) or $28,600, whichever is less.
Appeals and Special Circumstances
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at MHEC recognizes that students may encounter special circumstances that affect their eligibility for state awards. An appeal process is in place to allow students to request reconsideration in certain situations. Legislative scholarship recipients who are currently enrolled in less than 6 credits (under half-time enrollment) due to disability may submit an appeal for reconsideration of the award. Further information on appeals can be found on the MHEC Appeals webpage.
Service Obligations
Individuals who receive 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.
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