Howard P. Rawlings
Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant
Purpose
The Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant that
provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions for educational expenses. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100% of a student’s financial need, and a student may receive an award for up to $22, 100.
Who May Apply?
Individuals applying for the Guaranteed Access Grant for the first time must:
- Be eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland;
- By May 15, 2024 for priority consideration or by June 1, 2024 for final consideration: file the 2024-2025 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)
- Meet the initial income requirements for the 2024-2025 academic year (see Initial Applicants – Income Requirements below);
- Be accepted for admission and plans to enroll in a regular undergraduate program at an eligible two-year or four-year Maryland institution as a full-time (12 credits/semester) degree-seeking undergraduate student;
- Have completed high school or obtained a GED with a passing score of 145 per module;
- Must begin college within 6 years of completing high school or obtaining a GED;
- Be under the age of 26 at time of first receiving the GA
- For the 2024-2025 year, must be born after July 1, 1998
2024-2025 GA Initial Applicants- Income Requirements
Initial recipients of the GA must have an annual total family income that is at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines for the prior-prior tax year. For the 2024-2025 academic year, this would be the 2022 tax year poverty guidelines.
Household Size |
130% of 2022 Poverty Level |
1 |
$17,667 |
2 |
$23,803 |
3 |
$29,939 |
4 |
$36,075 |
5 |
$42,211 |
6 |
$48,347 |
7 |
$54,483 |
8 |
$60,619 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, for each additional person add |
$6,136 |
How Do I Apply?
By May 15, 2024, for priority consideration, or June 1, 2024, for final consideration: file the 2024-2025 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 all required documentation (see Documentation below) on MDCAPS by June 15, 2024, for priority consideration or by July 15, 2024, for final consideration.
Important Information
- MDCAPS will automatically consider students qualified for the Guaranteed Access Grant if they meet basic eligibility requirements.
- Students must have a Maryland university or college listed on their submitted FAFSA or MHEC One-App (for undocumented students) prior to June 1, 2024. Students who add a Maryland institution after June 1, regardless of submission date, will not be considered for the GA.
- Disbursement (payment) of funds does not occur until the university or college a student is enrolled at certifies their eligibility.
- The Guaranteed Access Grant is a need-based grant and if an individual's unmet need is too low or their need has been calculated as fully met, they will not receive the GA, even if they meet all other criteria
All Guaranteed Access Grant awards are contingent on the availability of funds.
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 Guaranteed Access Grant.
Applicants will receive email notifications of requested documentation, and can also view all requested documentation via the “Check Your Application Status" page on their MDCAPS account.
Documentation
|
| Documentation Task | Type of Information Needed |
| GED Examination Transcript | Submit copy that must include the scores for each module |
Dependent Student Verification Form
| Can be downloaded from MDCAPS and filled out; must be signed by student AND parents |
Independent Student Verification Form
| Can be downloaded from MDCAPS and filled out; must be signed by student |
| 2022 Parent/Student/Spouse IRS Tax Transcript | Submit either a copy of the 2022 IRS tax transcript or a copy of the signed 2022 1040 tax return |
| 2022 Parent/Student/Spouse Maryland State Tax Return | Submit copy of the Signed Maryland Tax Return, IRS Tax Return Transcript, or 1040 Tax Return |
| 2022 Student/Spouse/Parent W2s, 1099, or Schedule C | Submit the W2, 1099, Schedule C or the IRS Wage and Income Transcript |
2022 Verification of Non-Filing Form
| Submit the MHEC non-filing Form or the IRS Verification Non-Filing Letter; must be signed |
| Proof of Legal Guardianship/Ward of the Court Status/Foster Care Status | Submit a copy of official documentation showing status |
| Documentation of Unaccompanied Youth | Submit copy of documentation from appropriate source |
NOTE: Not every applicant will be asked to submit documentation, nor will every individual selected to submit documentation be selected to submit every type of documentation. The list above is not exhaustive, and other types of required documentation may be requested.
|
Renewal Requirements
The Guaranteed Access Grant can be renewed for up to 3 years. For recipients to remain eligible for the GA, they must:
- Remain eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland;
- By May 15, 2024 for priority consideration or by June 1, 2024: file the 2024-2025 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)
- Meet the renewal income requirements for the 2024-2025 academic year (see Renewal Income Requirements below);
- 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.
- More information on the renewal requirements
2024-2025 GA Renewal Applicants – Income Requirements
Renewal recipients of the GA must have an annual total family income that is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for the prior-prior tax year (2022 tax year for the 2024-2025 academic year) OR remain eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant.
| Household Size | 150% of 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| 1 | $20,385 |
| 2 | $27,465 |
3
| $34,545 |
| 4 | $41,625 |
| 5 | $48,705 |
| 6 | $55,785 |
| 7 | $62,865 |
8
| $69,945 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, for each additional person add | $7,080
|
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
- Washington College
For more information about GAPP, please contact your institution’s financial aid office so that they may assist you in completing the process.
Frequently Asked Questions and Other Information
2024-2025 Guaranteed Access Grant Frequently Asked Questions
GA Award Conditions
The Guaranteed Access Grant regulations have been published online under the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
