Howard P. Rawlings
Educational Assistance (EA) Grant
Purpose
The Educational Assistance (EA) Grant 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.
Who May Apply?
Individuals applying for the Educational Assistance 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)
- 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.
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.
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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 Educational Assistance Grant.
Applicants will receive email notifications of requested documentation and can view all requested documentation via the “Check Your Application Status" page on their MDCAPS account.
Documentation
|
| Documentation Task | Type of Information Needed |
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 |
| 2021 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 IRS for Parent/Student/Spouse | Submit the MHEC non-filing Form or the IRS Verification Non-Filing Letter; must be signed |
| Proof of Independent 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, marriage license, veteran status, etc.
|
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 June 1, 2024. Students who add a Maryland institution after June 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.
How is Financial Need Determined?
An EA Grant is determined by
student need and is determined using the following formula:
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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.
Renewal
Requirements
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 on the Credit Completion Requirements click here.
- For full conditions of the EA Award, please click here.
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.
