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 maximum award amount for the Guaranteed Access Grant for 2025-2026 is $18,000.
Who May Apply?
Individuals applying for the Guaranteed Access 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)
- Submit any required documentation (see Documentation below) by April 15, 2025;
- Meet the initial income requirements for the 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 year, must be born after July 1, 1999
2025-2026 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 2025-2026 academic year, this would be the 2023 tax year poverty guidelines.
Household Size |
130% of 2023 Poverty Level |
1 |
$18,954 |
2 |
$25,636 |
3 |
$32,318 |
4 |
$39,000 |
5 |
$45,682 |
6 |
$52,364 |
7 |
$59,046 |
8 |
$65, 728 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, for each additional person add |
$6,682 |
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 April 15, 2025. Every student will not be required to submit documentation.
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) before March 1, 2025. Students who add a Maryland institution after March 1, regardless of the 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 |
| 2023 Parent/Student/Spouse IRS Tax Transcript | Submit either a copy of the 2023 IRS tax transcript or a copy of the signed 2023 1040 tax return |
| 2023 Parent/Student/Spouse Maryland State Tax Return | Submit copy of the Signed Maryland Tax Return, IRS Tax Return Transcript, or 1040 Tax Return |
| 2023 Student/Spouse/Parent W2s, 1099, or Schedule C | Submit the W2, 1099, Schedule C or the IRS Wage and Income Transcript |
2023 Verification of Non-Filing Form for Parents
OR
2023 Verification of Non Filing Form for Independent Students/Spouse
| Submit the MHEC non-filing Form or the IRS Verification Non-Filing Letter; must be signed |
| Proof of Independent Student 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.
|
| 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
|
NOTE: Not every applicant will be asked to submit documentation. Not every type of document listed above will be requested, nor is this an exhaustive list of potential documentation.
|
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 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)
- Meet the renewal income requirements for the 2025-2026 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
2025-2026 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 (2023 tax year for the 2025-2026 academic year) OR remain eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant.
| Household Size | 150% of 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| 1 | $21, 870
|
| 2 | $29, 580
|
3
| $37,290
|
| 4 | $45,000
|
| 5 | $52,710
|
| 6 | $60, 420
|
| 7 | $68, 130
|
8
| $75, 840
|
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, for each additional person add | $7,710
|
