Federal and State Grants

To be potentially eligible for federal and state grants, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (or if you cannot complete the FAFSA, a Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) - to potentially be eligible for state aid only) and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (SAP).

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant 
This grant does not have to be repaid if the student attends classes and completes the semester. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have financial need. For many students, the grant provides a foundation of financial aid to which other aid is added. The amount of the grant depends on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of credits for which the student enrolls.

Students are only eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant for 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent). You will lose your eligibility to receive a Pell grant, if you received 12 full-time semesters (or equivalent). It does not matter whether it was at one school or multiple schools. The limit is approximately six years of study and includes two full-time semesters per year. This would be equivalent to 24 half-time semesters (six to eight credits). If you use all of your undergraduate financial aid at HCC, you will not be able to receive Pell Grants to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.

Please be conscious about the lifetime limit of the Pell Grant when changing majors and/or scheduling classes.

You may view your Pell Grant history by logging into your account on studentaid.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant 
This grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need, and who receive Federal Pell Grant Funds. FSEOG does not have to be paid back if the student attends classes and completes the semester. There is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able to receive FSEOG; awards are based on the availability of funds. Students who want to receive FSEOG must have a complete file with the Student Financial Aid Office as early in the year as possible.

Maryland Need-based Aid Programs

Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant
This grant provides post-secondary financial assistance to eligible in-state students currently enrolled as high school seniors who will complete a college preparatory program or a student who has obtained a General Educational Development diploma (GED), and is under the age of 26. Applicants must complete the FAFSA, no later than March 1 each year, and complete the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant additional documentation requirements. A student must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by HCC, and be enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in classes that count towards program completion.

Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant
This grant provides post-secondary financial assistance to in-state students who are current high school seniors and will be full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates. A FAFSA is required to determine eligibility for the award. If a student is unable to complete the FAFSA, a MSFAA must be completed by the student. The application is open from October 1 through March 1 each year. A student must demonstrate financial need to be potentially eligible for the award; students with the lowest EFC are awarded first. All students eligible for the EA Grant must accept their award online through their MDCAPS account. To renew an award, students must be Maryland residents, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and submit the FAFSA no later than March 1 each year.

Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
This scholarship is for students who are eligible for in-state tuition to attend one of Maryland’s public community colleges. The scholarship is considered a last dollar award – amount is determined after all other aid is applied to a student’s balance. Based on the applicable FAFSA, income requirements include an adjusted gross income up to $100,000 if the applicant is single or resides in a single-parent household or $150,000 if the applicant is married or resides in a two-parent household. The scholarship requires full-time enrollment (12 credits or more), and is contingent upon available State funding. For all criteria and requirements, please check with the Maryland Higher Education Commission or the HCC Student Financial Aid Office.

Maryland Part-Time Grant
This grant is for students who are registered for at least half-time (6 credits) but less than full-time (12 credits) that count towards complete program completion. Students must file the FAFSA or MSFAA by March 1 and must be a Maryland resident as well as their parents (if a dependent student based on FAFSA information). The amount of the part-time grant is set and cannot be increased. HCC receives a certain of amount of funding at the beginning of each academic year. This is a first come, first served grant given by the Student Financial Aid Office. Students who were awarded an Educational Assistance Grant (described above) by MHEC but are not registered full-time may be awarded a Part-Time Grant depending on availability.

Maryland Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant
This funding is for students who plan on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation. Eligible majors and employment fields are determined bi-annually and may include: child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service. It is for both full-time and part-time students and both merit- and need-based criteria is used when selecting recipients. Students must complete a Maryland Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant application.

MHEC scholarship applications are available online on the MHEC Applications page.