As someone planning to attend college in Maryland, I'm pursuing scholarship opportunities. Does anyone know good resources for finding scholarships specifically for Maryland college students? Any tips on applying for state-based financial aid?
Several resources are available to you for hunting down scholarships in Maryland. One centralized place where you can find Maryland scholarships is the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) website. MHEC has several state-funded aid programs, including the Howard P. Rawlings program (with Educational Assistance (EA) Grant and Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant), the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship, and the 2+2 STEM Transfer Scholarship.
Applying for these programs is quite straightforward—you will first need to complete the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) if you are ineligible to receive federal aid but eligible to receive state aid. When filling out these forms, be mindful of Maryland's priority financial aid deadline: March 1. Another critical point is to ensure that you are thorough and accurate in providing your financial and academic information, as this will determine your eligibility for different aid programs.
For more comprehensive searching, aside from MHEC, websites like Appily serve as an extensive database for scholarships, from state-specific to subject-specific scholarships. You may also look for local scholarships funded by organizations, foundations, and businesses within Maryland.
When applying for scholarships, keep your essays focused and personal—show why you are uniquely deserving of the opportunity. Ask trusted teachers or mentors to review your applications and be sure to submit them on time. Good luck with your search!
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