The Howard P. Rawlings awards are financial needs-based grants given to degree-seeking Maryland residents. The Guaranteed Access Grant (GA Grant) is given to high school seniors who plan to attend a college preparatory program before enrolling in a two-year or four-year college. The GA Grant covers 100 percent of the student's financial need up to the maximum amount of $13,700. The Educational Assistance Grant (EA Grant,) is similar to the GA Grant but is also available for current undergraduate students. The EA Grant is equal to 40 percent of financial need at a four-year college and 60 percent at a two-year college. To be eligible for these grants you and your parents must be residents of Maryland and you must enroll full-time at a Maryland college. Your family must also meet certain income requirements.
This grant is an academic achievement-based award given to students who have earned at least a 3.7 grade point average in high school and meet certain SAT or ACT score requirements. The grant is worth $3,000 a year and is very competitive. Current high school juniors who meet the requirements may apply or be nominated by their high schools. Finalists in the National Merit or Achievement Scholarship programs automatically obtain the grant if they choose to remain in Maryland for college. This award is available only to residents of the state who will remain in the state to attend a college, university or private career school full-time. To renew the award you must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in college.
The Tolbert Grant is a financial needs based grant of up to $500 given to students attending, or who plan to attend a Maryland private-career school. You and your parents must be Maryland residents and you must be enrolled for a minimum of 18 clock hours per week. Up to 400 students will receive the award, but to be eligible you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and apply to the private career school of your choice.
This grant is awarded to Maryland residents who enroll in an approved teacher education program. Recipients must agree to work full-time as a classroom teacher in the Maryland public school system for one year for every year they receive the grant and begin within 12 months of graduation. Up to $18,000 can be awarded under this grant which is used to encourage students to work in a field that is experiencing shortages in manpower.