Maryland Higher Education Commission STUDENT SUCCESS WITH LESS DEBT

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​Howard P. Rawlings
Guaranteed Access (GA) Gra​nt​​

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​ The Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant thatprovides 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. ​ ​



Application Timeline

  • Consideration Deadline: Students must submit their 2025-26 FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2025 in order to be considered for the Guaranteed Access Grant. 
  • Award Date: Awarding is anticipated to begin in May 2025, and will continue until all funds have been exhausted. 
  • Documentation Deadline: The deadline for all documentation is July 15, 2025. Not every student will be required to submit additional documentation. 
    • Note: Awarding will begin before the documentation deadline. Students assigned documentation should upload their documentation as soon as possible. 
​

Eligibility Requirements:​

Individuals applying for the Guaranteed Access Grant for the fir​st time must:

  • Be eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland;
  • By March 1, 2025: file the 2025-202​6 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)
    • Students must have a Maryland university or college listed on their FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1
  • Submit any required documentation (see Documentation below) by July 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
  • Cannot have previously received an Educational Assistance Grant or Campus-Based Educational Assistance Grant
MDCAPS will automatically consider students qualified for the Guaranteed Access Grant if they meet the basic eligibility requirements.

 

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 each additional family member beyond eight, add

$6,682



Selection Process & Req​uirements:

For students to be considered for the 2025-26 Guaranteed Access Grant, they must submit a 2025-26 FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2025. There is no specific application for the Guaranteed Access Grant.  

Students may be asked to submit certain documentation if they meet one or more of the following circumstances:
  • Have received a GED in lieu of a high school diploma
  • Have been deemed as “Independent” for financial aid purposes on either the FAFSA or MHEC One-App
  • Have filed an MHEC One-App as a dependent student
  • Have filed an MHEC One-App, are male, and 18 years or older
  • Have filed a FAFSA, and do not have family size listed
  • Have been randomly selected for financial verification by the Maryland Higher Education Commission
N​ot all students will be requested to submit additional documentation. For students that have been asked to submit documentation, that documentation is required for continued consideration for the Guaranteed Access Grant. 

Students who have been asked to submit additional documentation must submit it online through their MDCAPS account (https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us) by July 15, 2025. 


​GED Recipients
  • ​Copy of GED exam transcript
​Independent Students
​Which documentation will be request is determined based on answers provided in the FAFSA or MHEC One-App - multiple documents may be requested
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Legal Guardianship
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Orphan or Ward of the Court
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Unaccompanied or Homeless Youth
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Foster Care
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Student has Dependents
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Armed Services Veteran
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Active Duty in Armed Services​
​Dependent MHEC One-App Filer
  • ​MHEC One-App Parent Signature Page​
​Male MHEC One-App Filer Who is 18 Years or Older
  • ​Proof of registration for the Selective Service (if not previously provided to the Maryland Higher Education Commission)
Note: If a non-male student is assigned this documentation, student will need to upload a valid form of ID, such as a State ID or Driver's License​
​FAFSA Filer Missing Family Size
  • ​Family Size Verification Form
​Students Selected for Financial Verification
​Which documentation will be requested is determined based on answers provided in the FAFSA or MHEC One-App
  • Dependent or Independent Student Verification Form
  • 2023 IRS Tax Transcripts or Signed 1040 Forms for Student/Student’s Spouse
  • 2023 IRS Tax Transcripts or Signed 1040 Forms for Student’s Parent(s)
  • 2023 W-2s, 1099s, or Schedule Cs for Student/Student’s Spouse
  • 2023 W-2s, 1099s, or Schedule Cs for Student’s Parent(s)
  • 2023 Maryland State Tax Return for Student/Student’s Spouse
  • 2023 Maryland State Tax Return for Student’s Parent(s)
  • 2023 Verification of Tax Non-Filing Form or IRS Non-Filing Letter
  • Additional documentation as requested by MHEC


Documentation: 

Below are further details regarding specific documentation requirements and what is accepted as satisfactory for those documents.

  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Legal Guardianship
    • Accepted documentation: Court order, signed by a judge, stating student is placed in a legal guardianship
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Orphan or Ward of the Court
    • Accepted documentation if student is an orphan at age of 13 or older: Death certificate of parent(s); birth certificate of student; if student has been adopted, adoption papers
    • Accepted documentation if student is a ward of the court: Court order, signed by a judge, stating student is considered a ward of the court
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Unaccompanied or Homeless Youth
    • Accepted documentation: A McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act letter from a local educational agency homeless liaison OR documentation from the director/designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center or other program serving individuals experiencing homelessness OR documentation from the director/designee of a Federal TRIO program or GEAR UP grant OR documentation from an institution’s financial aid administrator determining the student is an unaccompanied homeless youth, or unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Foster Care
    • Accepted documentation: Court order or other state documentation that student received federal or state support in foster care at age 13 or older OR documentation from public or private foster care agency
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Armed Services Veteran
    • Accepted Documentation: Copy of DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Active Duty in Armed Services
    • Accepted Documentation: Current military orders OR most recent Leave and Earnings Statement OR letter from student’s commanding officer
  • Proof of Independent Student Status - Student has Dependents
    • Accepted Documentation: Birth certificate of child dependents OR proof of custody or other documentation showing the relationship of other dependents; proof of income in the form of W-2s, pay stubs, or most recent filed taxes (ie IRS tax transcript or signed 1040) OR proof of benefits such as SNAP, WIC, or TANF
  • ​MHEC One-App Parent Signature Page
    • Accessible for download inside a student’s MDCAPS account by selecting “Check Application Status”
  • Proof of registration for the Selective Service 
    • ​Students can learn more about eligibility, registration, and verification via the Selective Service System: https://www.sss.gov/ 
  • Family Size Verification Form
    • Accessible for download inside a student’s MDCAPS account by selecting “Check Application Status”
  • ​Dependent or Independent Student Verification Form
    • Accessible for download inside a student’s MDCAPS account by selecting “Check Application Status”
  • 2023 Verification of Tax Non-Filing Form or IRS Non-Filing Letter
    • If requested, student may either access the MHEC-created Verification of Tax Non-Filing form in their MDCAPS account or can request a Verification of Non-Filing letter from the IRS

Award Amount:​

The Guaranteed Access Grant maximum amount is calculated annually based on the approved State budget allocation. 

The amount of the Guaranteed Access Grant equals up to 100% of a student’s calculated financial need, or up to the maximum award amount, whichever is lower. 

Students who have been awarded have their grant amounts calculated based on the cost of attendance at the institution, the student’s living situation (on campus, off campus, or with parent), and the amount of financial need they have. 

The maximum award amount for the 2025-26 academic year is $18,000.

The minimum award amount a student can receive is $400 per year. If a student has a calculated financial need that is below this amount, or their need has been calculated as fully met, the student will not receive funding. 

All Guaranteed Access Grant awarding is contingent on the availability of funds.  


​
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)
    • Students must have a Maryland university or college listed on their FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1
  • 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;
  • Submit any required documentation by July 15, 2025 (see Documentation above);
  • 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

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 each additional family member beyond eight, add

$7,710