Family Size |
130% OF POVERTY LEVEL (NEW) |
150% OF POVERTY LEVEL (RENEWAL) |
1 |
$15,782
|
$18,210
|
2 |
$21,398
|
$24,690 |
3 |
$27,014
|
$31,170
|
4 |
$32,630
|
$37,650
|
5 |
$38,246
|
$44,130
|
6 |
$43,862
|
$50,610
|
7 |
$49,478
|
$57,090 |
8 |
$55,094
|
$63,570
|
For each additional person add |
$5,616
|
$6,480 |
Important Deadline Dates
- March 1, 2021: Deadline to submit 2021 - 2022 FAFSA or MSFAA application.
- April 1, 2021: Deadline to submit ALL required documents for the Guaranteed Access Grant.
How Can I Be Considered?

Understanding
the “Check Application Status” Screen in MDCAPS
Students identified by MHEC as potentially eligible for the grant must submit required documentation to MHEC for
further consideration. A list of the required documents needed will display in
MDCAPS under the Check Application Status screen on the students account.
Below you will find a list of the required task that may be displayed on
your account and the type of information that should be submitted to MHEC by
the established deadline:
·
GED
examination Transcript- submit
the GED examination transcript that includes the score for each module;
·
High
School Transcript must include 1st semester grades from
Senior Year- submit
an official or unofficial high
school transcript that includes all grades earned while enrolled in high
school, including the quarter 1 and quarter 2 grades earned
during the first semester of their senior year;
·
Dependent
or Independent Student Verification Worksheet- download the respective verification worksheet from
MDCAPS and complete all sections;
·
Low
Income Form- download
the form and complete the section that applies and include supporting
documentation for all untaxed income (TANF, Food Stamps, etc.);
·
2019
Parent/Student/Spouse IRS Tax Transcript- submit the IRS tax return transcript or a signed 1040
tax return;
·
2019
Parent/Student/Spouse Maryland State Tax Return w/Comptroller Seal- submit the Maryland state tax
return w/ comptroller seal. The IRS tax return transcript or a signed 1040 tax
return will also be accepted;
·
2019
Student/Spouse/ Parent W2s, 1099, or Schedule C- submit the W2,1099, schedule c or the
Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS; and/or
·
2019
Verification of Non-filing Letter from the IRS for Parent/Student/Spouse- submit the MHEC non-filing document. The
IRS Non-Tax Filing statement will be accepted as well.
All required
documents must be submitted to MHEC through your MDCAPS via the NEW
Electronic File Upload Tool
How
Do I Obtain a 2019 IRS Tax Return Transcript?
MHEC may ask
students that are selected for the verification process to confirm their
eligibility for the GA Grant by submitting a 2019 IRS
Tax Return Transcript. This
includes as applicable, a copy of the student's, or student's spouse, and or
parent(s) 2019 IRS Tax Return Transcript.
Tax Return
Transcripts provide taxpayers with a computer-created record of their tax
return which includes most of the line-items filed with the IRS, including any
accompanying forms and schedules. For more information regarding
obtaining a Tax Return Transcript, please visit Get Transcript
FAQs.
If you’re unable
to obtain a copy of the 2019 IRS Tax transcript, MHEC will accept a signed copy
of the 2019 1040 Tax Return as required for the student, parent (s), or spouse.
Renewing Your GA Grant Award
The GA Grant
award will be renewed under the
following conditions:
·
Continue to be eligible for in-state tuition;
·
Complete and file the FAFSA or MSFAA each year
by March 1;
·
Continue to meet the award’s annual income
requirements reported on FAFSA (students must continue to live at or below 150
percent of the federal poverty level);
·
Is enrolled as a full time student in an
eligible institution or community college;
·
Maintain the satisfactory academic progress
standards of your institution;
·
Students that have completed their 2nd
year or more of college are required to complete 30 credits in order to have
their GA award reinstated for the full amount;
·
Students that complete 24-29 credits beginning
with their 2nd year, their award will be prorated;
·
Students must complete a minimum of 24
credits, beginning in their 2nd year for the GA award to be
reinstated; and
·
Meet the eligibility requirements as
outlined above.
This award may be renewable for up to three years of
undergraduate study.
What
is the Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP)?
The Guaranteed
Access Partnership Program (GAPP) provides a matching grant award to eligible
Maryland students who receive a GA Grant and enroll at a participating Maryland
independent college or university as a new undergraduate student.
The Maryland institutions that are participating include: Capitol Technology
University, Goucher College, Hood College, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola
University Maryland, Maryland Institute College of Art, McDaniel College, Mount
St. Mary’s University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Stevenson University,
St. John’s College, Washington Adventist University, and Washington College.
For more information about the GAPP program, please contact your institution’s
financial aid office so that they may assist you in completing the process.
GA Required Forms