PURPOSE
The Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth provides financial assistance to homeless youth who are enrolled as a candidate for an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or vocational certificate at a Maryland Public institution of higher education.
WHO MAY APPLY
Individuals have been verified as a homeless child or youth, as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, at any time during the 24 months immediately preceding the student's enrollment in a public institution of higher education or while the student is enrolled in a public institution of higher education.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.”
Examples of children who fall under this definition are as follows:
- Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
- Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
- Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
- Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
- Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
- Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
- Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
HOW TO APPLY
1. Contact the financial aid office at the Maryland public institution you plan to attend.
Note:
Eligibility information is provided to Maryland public colleges and universities by the Maryland Department of Human Services. Eligible applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, or the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) via the MHEC One App at http://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us/. “Undocumented” applicants who do not qualify to complete the Maryland MHEC One-App should consult with the financial aid office at the Maryland public institution you plan to attend.
ELIGIBLE MAJORS
All academic majors are eligible, including both credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing vocational certificate programs.
SEMESTER ELIGIBILITY
Students are eligible to receive the Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver for the following semesters:
AWARD AMOUNT
The waiver exempts you from paying tuition and mandatory fees at any Maryland public institution of higher education. This includes:
- Tuition
- Registration fees
- Other mandatory fees required for enrollment
Important:
- Tuition is determined by the individual public institution of higher education
- The waiver does not cover room, board, books, or transportation
- Scholarships or grants awarded to a homeless youth waiver recipient may not be applied to tuition, as it is already waived
