Howard P. Rawlings
Educational Assistance (EA) Grant
Purpose
The Educational Assistance (EA) Grant a 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 for educational expenses. A student may receive an award for up to $3,000 for up to four years.
Who May Apply?
Individuals applying for the Educational Assistance Grant for the first time must:
- Be eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland;
- By March 1, 2025: file the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or State financial aid application for undocumented students (formerly MSFAA) through the new MHEC One-App;
- The FAFSA is open to U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
- The State financial aid application through the MHEC One-App is for residents of Maryland who are eligible for in-state tuition but NOT eligible to file the FAFSA (undocumented students)
- Demonstrate financial need (see Financial Need Calculation below);
- 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;
- For full conditions of the EA Award, please click here.
How do I
Apply?
By March 1, 2025: file the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or State financial aid application for undocumented students (formerly MSFAA) through the new MHEC One-App. A Maryland university or college MUST be listed on the FAFSA or MHEC One-App by either deadline in order to be considered.
- The FAFSA is open to U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
- The State financial aid application through the MHEC One-App is for residents of Maryland who are eligible for in-state tuition but NOT eligible to file the FAFSA (undocumented students).
Submit any requested documentation (see Documentation below) on MDCAPS by March 1, 2025. Every student will not be required to submit documentation.
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Documentation
Eligible applicants, after submission of the FAFSA or MHEC One-App, may be asked to submit documentation. Any documentation that is requested is required for continued consideration for the Educational Assistance Grant.
Applicants will receive email notifications of requested documentation and can view all requested documentation via the “Check Your Application Status" page on their MDCAPS account.
Documentation
|
| Documentation Task | Type of Information Needed |
| Family Size Verification Form for Dependent Students | Submit the linked Family Size Verification Form to determine a dependent student’s family size for need-based awards; must be signed |
Family Size Verification Form for Independent Students
| Submit the linked Family Size Verification Form to determine an independent student’s family size for need-based awards; must be signed
|
| Proof of Independent Status for Financial Aid Purposes | Determined by type of independent status; examples: proof of legal guardianship, proof of foster care, proof of being ward of the court, proof of unaccompanied youth, veteran status, etc.
|
Important Information
- MDCAPS will automatically consider students qualified for the Education Assistance Grant if they meet basic eligibility requirements and do not qualify for the Guaranteed Access Grant.
- Students must have a Maryland university or college listed on their submitted FAFSA or MHEC One-App (for undocumented students) prior to March 1, 2025. Students who add a Maryland institution after March 1 regardless of submission date, will not be considered for the EA.
- Disbursement (payment) of funds does not occur until the university or college a student is enrolled at certifies their eligibility.
- The Educational Assistance Grant is a need-based grant and is an individual's unmet need is too low or their need has been calculated as fully met, they will not receive the EA, even if they meet all other criteria.
All Educational Assistance Grant awards are contingent on the availability of funds.
How is Financial Need Determined?
An EA Grant is determined by
student need and is determined using the following formula:
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The minimum annual award amount is $400 – if a student has a calculated financial need below $400, they will not be awarded.
Renewal
Requirements
Educational Assistance Grant recipients may be eligible to renew the award for up to 3 years. For recipients to remain eligible for the EA, they must:
- Remain eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland;
- By March 1, 2025 (or March 1, 2025, for priority consideration): file the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or State financial aid application for undocumented students (formerly MSFAA) through the new MHEC One-App;
- The FAFSA is open to U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
- The State financial aid application through the MHEC One-App is for residents of Maryland who are eligible for in-state tuition but NOT eligible to file the FAFSA (undocumented students)
- Continue to demonstrate a financial need (see Financial Need Calculation above);
- Enroll as a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student at an eligible two-year or four-year Maryland institution;
- Maintain the satisfactory academic progress standards of the enrolled institution;
- Students who have received the award for at least two years and thereafter must:
- Annually complete 30 credits in order to have their awards renewed for the full amount or
- Annually complete 24-29 credits in order to have their awards renewed for a prorated amount.
- For an overview on the Credit Completion Requirements click here.
- For full conditions of the EA Award, please click here.
Exceptions for Receiving an Award at an Out-of-State Institution
The EA Grant may be used at an out-of-state institution only if the award recipient is a deaf or hearing-impaired student and the institution makes special provisions for deaf and hearing-impaired students that are not available at Maryland institutions.
