Maryland State Scholarships

Maryland State Scholarships Webinar

Join our financial aid team to learn more about Maryland State Aid programs for high school students applying to college.

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The Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a Maryland state grant that provides postsecondary 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. Students who received the GA Grant at MSMU during the 2022-23 academic year were awarded $20,000.

The Mount participates in the Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP) and the GA grant is matched for students with the merit scholarship.

In addition to the Guaranteed Access Grant, the Mount merit scholarship, students are also awarded Federal Pell grants and other grant aid to make costs affordable.

Live Significantly Opportunity Grant

The Live Significantly Opportunity Grant demonstrates the Mount’s commitment to making college more affordable – for students who receive PELL and the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant, the Mount will provide a matching institutional commitment to fully cover tuition, on-campus housing, meals and even books! This allows you to attend the Mount, one of the top-rated liberal arts colleges in Maryland, with no out of pocket costs and no loans so that you can focus fully on our promise to help students Live Significantly.

The Educational Assistance (EA) Grant

A need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions.

Delegate Scholarship

Offered to Maryland residents who plan to pursue a postsecondary credential full-time or part-time at a two-year of four-year Maryland college, university or private career school.

Senatorial Scholarship

Offered to current high school seniors and full-time and part-time degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students attending a private career school.

Please see below for more information about eligibility guidelines and application process.

3 Steps to See Full Eligibility

1. Submit your admissions application using the streamlined Mount Application or add us to the Common App.
2. Complete the 2023-24 FAFSA as soon as possible to be eligible for Maryland state need-based grants, including the GA Grant. Be sure to include Mount St. Mary’s University’s code (002086) in the school section. The FAFSA must be completed prior to March 1, 2023.
3. Watch our Maryland State Scholarship Webinar to learn more about these great opportunities or visit the state's website for full details.

3. Have an unweighted, cumulative 2.5 high school grade point average (GPA).
4. Are under the age of 22 at the time of graduating high school from in Maryland.
5. Submit all applications and verification documents by the deadlines (see details in “How Can I Apply?” section below).

How Can I Apply for the GA Grant?

1. File the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, 2023, using your and your parents 2021 federal tax return.
2. Create a MDCAPS account after the FAFSA has been filed on the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) site.
3. If additional documents are requested, they must be submitted prior to April 1, 2023. You should monitor your MDCAPS account often.

For students not eligible to file a FAFSA - Any applicants ineligible for federal financial aid can file the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) by creating a MDCAPS account by March 1, 2023 if the student and parent are Maryland residents.

Students who have been awarded the GA Grant will be notified by MHEC via email. All awards must be accepted through MDCAPS within two weeks of notification. Once MSMU receives notification of your acceptance, the student will receive a revised award notification.