Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant — MHEC

The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance Grant (EA) is a Maryland need-based grant for resident students enrolled full time in undergraduate study. It is calculated using cost of attendance, housing status, Student Aid Index, Pell Grant and certain state aid; filing a FAFSA does not create an automatic award. For 2026–27, the published maximum is $3,000 a year, with a $400 minimum when calculated need reaches that level. Renewal depends on funding, academic progress and completed credits.

A high-school senior may be considered if they meet residency and need rules and plan to enroll at an eligible two- or four-year institution. Current full-time college students without a prior bachelor’s degree may also qualify. For 2026–27, MHEC required FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, 2026 and at least one Maryland college on the application; that date has passed. Students unable to use FAFSA had to check whether they met MHEC One-App criteria rather than filing both forms “just in case.”

After filing, create or review the record in MDCAPS and read each notice. MHEC may request proof of residency, family information or enrollment; for this award year, the page set August 1 as the general documentation date, subject to any different date in an individual notice. Save the FAFSA/One-App confirmation and upload receipts. MHEC says applicants meeting the basic criteria are considered automatically, but a “qualified” status is not a promise of an award or amount.

A practical warning appears in student discussions: during 2026, some accounts showed “qualified but not awarded” while students waited for a decision. Maryland’s official budget analysis also reports that no initial EA awards were made in two prior fiscal years and discusses waitlists. This cannot predict next year, but it means students should not budget tuition on an unconfirmed EA award. Ask the college in writing whether the portal reflects eligibility, a waitlist or an award, and ask MHEC about current funding and dates.

For 2027–28, the application system is changing: Maryland says it will move from MDCAPS to MDSIS. The official account page warns first-time 2027–28 applicants not to create an MDCAPS account; check the new cycle’s calendar and criteria when published. Compare EA with the Guaranteed Access Grant: students cannot receive both at once, and GA has stricter income, age and time-from-high-school requirements. MHEC lists (410) 767-3300 in Baltimore; the college financial-aid office can help explain how aid is posted.