Financial Aid in Maryland (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, Maryland's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
Maryland FAFSA deadline for state aid
Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards: March 1, 2026.
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
Maryland grant programs
Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant
Maryland's main need-based grant for residents enrolled full-time at in-state schools.
Guaranteed Access Grant
Covers up to full need for low-income Maryland students who meet GPA requirements.
Administered by Maryland Higher Education Commission. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for Maryland students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches Marylandstudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in Maryland?
For 2026–27 state aid: Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards: March 1, 2026. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does Maryland offer?
Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant: Maryland's main need-based grant for residents enrolled full-time at in-state schools. Guaranteed Access Grant: Covers up to full need for low-income Maryland students who meet GPA requirements. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a Maryland resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in Maryland?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how Maryland Higher Education Commission determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.