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.
Eligibility- Initial Applicants
Individuals applying for the Educational Assistance Grant for the first time must:
- Be eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland;
- By June 1, 2024( or May 15, 2024, for priority 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)
- 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.
Eligibility- Renewal Applicants
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 June 1, 2024 (or May 15, 2024, for priority 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)
- 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 of the Credit Completion Requirements click here.
- For full conditions of the EA Award, please click here.
Application Process
- For US Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 15, 2024 for priority consideration or by June 1, 2024
- For individuals not eligible to apply for the FAFSA but eligible for in-state tuition: Submit a State financial aid application for undocumented students (formerly MSFAA) through the MHEC One-App by May 15, 2024, for priority consideration or by June 1, 2024
- Individuals need to create or access their MDCAPS account before completing the MHEC One-App.
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.
EA Financial Need Calculation
An EA Grant is determined by student need and is determined using the following formula:
SAI is the Student Aid Index; it replaces the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) starting in the 2024-2025 academic year.
The minimum amount that can be awarded annually for the EA is $400 and the maximum is $3,000.
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.
