Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant available to residents of Maryland who are high school graduates or GED recipients. Students who are planning to attend a two-year or four-year college or university in Maryland are eligible to apply. The maximum Guaranteed Access Grant award amount for the 2026-27 award year is $18,000. To be considered, students must submit their 2026-27 FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2026, with a documentation deadline of August 1, 2026. Recipients are chosen for their demonstration of financial need — initial recipients must have an annual total family income at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Applicants must be eligible for in-state tuition in Maryland, file the FAFSA (U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens) or the State financial aid application through the MHEC One-App (undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition), have a Maryland college listed on their FAFSA or MHEC One-App, be accepted for admission and plan to enroll full-time (12 credits/semester) as a degree-seeking undergraduate student, have a minimum GED score of 145 per module if applicable, begin college within 6 years of completing high school or obtaining a GED, be under 26 at the time of first receiving the GA, and must not have previously received an Educational Assistance Grant or a bachelor's degree.