Howard P. Rawlings
Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

Purpose

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

provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions for educational expenses. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100% of a student’s financial need, and a student may receive an award for up to $22, 100.

Who May Apply?

Individuals applying for the Guaranteed Access 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)

Meet the initial income requirements for the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 year, must be born after July 1, 1998

2024-2025 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 2024-2025 academic year, this would be the 2022 tax year poverty guidelines.

Household Size	130% of 2022 Poverty Level
1	$17,667
2	$23,803
3	$29,939
4	$36,075
5	$42,211
6	$48,347
7	$54,483
8	$60,619
For families/households with more than 8 persons, for each additional person add	$6,136

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.

Important Information

MDCAPS will automatically consider students qualified for the Guaranteed Access Grant if they meet basic eligibility requirements.
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 GA.
Disbursement (payment) of funds does not occur until the university or college a student is enrolled at certifies their eligibility.
The Guaranteed Access Grant is a need-based grant and if an individual's unmet need is too low or their need has been calculated as fully met, they will not receive the GA, even if they meet all other criteria

All Guaranteed Access Grant awards are contingent on the availability of funds.

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 Guaranteed Access Grant.

Applicants will receive email notifications of requested documentation, and can also view all requested documentation via the “Check Your Application Status" page on their MDCAPS account.

Documentation
Documentation Task	Type of Information Needed
GED Examination Transcript	Submit copy that must include the scores for each module
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
2022 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	Submit the MHEC non-filing Form or the IRS Verification Non-Filing Letter; must be signed
Proof of Legal Guardianship/Ward of the Court Status/Foster Care Status	Submit a copy of official documentation showing status
Documentation of Unaccompanied Youth	Submit copy of documentation from appropriate source
NOTE: Not every applicant will be asked to submit documentation, nor will every individual selected to submit documentation be selected to submit every type of documentation. The list above is not exhaustive, and other types of required documentation may be requested.

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 May 15, 2024 for priority consideration or by June 1, 2024: 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)

Meet the renewal income requirements for the 2024-2025 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;
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.

More information on the renewal requirements

2024-2025 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 (2022 tax year for the 2024-2025 academic year) OR remain eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant.

Household Size	150% of 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines
1	$20,385
2	$27,465
3	$34,545
4	$41,625
5	$48,705
6	$55,785
7	$62,865
8	$69,945
For families/households with more than 8 persons, for each additional person add	$7,080

Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP)

The Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP) provides a matching grant award to eligible Maryland students who receive a GA Grant and enroll at a participating Maryland independent college or university as a new undergraduate student.

The Maryland institutions that are participating include: