# Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

> Up to $18,000 from Maryland Higher Education Commission. 2026-27: FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2026; documents by August 1, 2026.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/maryland-guaranteed-access-grant
- Provider: Maryland Higher Education Commission (State)
- Award: Up to $18,000, renewable
- Deadline: 2026-27: FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2026; documents by August 1, 2026
- State list: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/md
- Official page: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/pages/financialaid/programdescriptions/prog_gagrant.aspx
- Last verified by CollegesRef: Nov 6, 2026

## About this scholarship

The Guaranteed Access Grant is Maryland's largest need-based award and is aimed at students from the lowest-income families. For 2026-27 the maximum is $18,000. In the first two years it covers up to 100 percent of the student's calculated adjusted financial need, up to that cap. First-time recipients must have total family income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, be eligible for in-state tuition, have finished high school or a GED, start college within six years of high school, be under 26 when first awarded and enroll full time in a degree program at a Maryland two-year or four-year college. The grant can be renewed for up to three more years if income stays at or below 150 percent of the poverty guidelines or the student remains Pell-eligible; recipients in their third year and beyond need 30 credits a year for a full renewal. Undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition apply through the MHEC One-App. The 2026-27 filing deadline was March 1, 2026.

## Who can apply

- Residents of: MD
- Education level: High school student, Undergraduate
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen, Eligible noncitizen, DACA or state Dream Act student
- Initial: total family income at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines (2024 guidelines for 2026-27), eligible for Maryland in-state tuition, under 26 at first award, began college within six years of high school, no prior Educational Assistance Grant. Renewal: income at or below 150% of poverty guidelines or Pell-eligible, 30 credits a year for the full amount.

## How to apply

File the FAFSA, or the MHEC One-App if you cannot file the FAFSA, by the state deadline and list a Maryland college. Upload any documents MDCAPS requests by the documentation deadline.

## Related scholarships

- [The Charles T. Bauer Scholars Program](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/the-charles-t-bauer-scholars-program): Up to $20,000
- [The Harold Glen and Audrey G. Benson Trumpower Foundation Scholarship Fund](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/the-harold-glen-and-audrey-g-benson-trumpower-foundation-scholarship-fund): Amount varies
- [Allegany County Opportunity Tuition Subsidy for Credit Students](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/allegany-county-opportunity-tuition-subsidy-for-credit-students): Amount varies
- [The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant Program](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/the-howard-p-rawlings-educational-assistance-grant-program): $400 to $3,000

## Explore Maryland

- [Colleges in Maryland](https://www.collegesref.com/state/maryland)
- [Maryland scholarships and grants](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/md)

Always confirm amounts, rules and deadlines on the official page before applying.