There are many grants in Maryland that can be found through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), (MHEC, 2010) and through other websites. Prospective students should examine all opportunities in deciding what is best for them.
The school grants in Maryland available through MHEC come from a variety of sources, including state and federal funds. Here are a list of grants offered through the MHEC as follows: 1) College Preparation Intervention Program (CPIP); 2) Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant; 3) Improving Teacher Quality State Grant; 4) Maryland College Access Challenge Grant Program; 5) Nurse Support Program II; 6) The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars; 7) BRAC Higher Education Investment Fund; and 
Institute for Museum, Preservation, and Archaeology Research and Training (IMPART) (MHEC, 2010). Additional information about these grants from Maryland can be found at the MHEC website .
Another grant in the state of Maryland offered through the MHEC is the Sharon Christa McAuliffe Memorial Teacher Education Award Program, which has now been consolidated into the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program (MHEC, 2010). To receive this WSSAG award, you must be in an approved educational undergraduate or graduate program in Maryland for a career in one of these fields: teaching, child care, human services, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and public service. The WSSAG award is based on merit (GPA), and it is based on need (students should fill out the FAFSA). The award amount can be up to $4,000 per year, and the grant is renewable yearly (MHEC, 2010). To receive the WSSAG grant, you have a service obligation to work in the career field in Maryland starting within one year after you graduate, and for a period of time equal to the number of years you received the grant. Otherwise, you have to repay the grant with interest.Two yearly scholarships are available for students of the state of Maryland who want to get a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice from the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association.
There are eight additional grants and scholarships available in Maryland . The eight grants and scholarships are: 1) Alice G. Pinderhughes Scholarship which is $500 available to an undergraduate student majoring in education in Maryland; 2) American Legion Department of Maryland General Scholarship which is a $500 award for four undergraduate students each who want to enroll at Maryland college; 3) Ashley Tamours Scholarship which is a maximum of $1,000 for a student who has cancer but wants to attend a Maryland college as an undergraduate student. The Ashley Foundation was started in 1999 as a non-profit charitable organization with the purpose of helping teens with cancer.; 4) Delegate Scholarship Program which ranges between $200 to $7,950 yearly award for 3,500 undergraduate students who are enrolled at a Maryland college; 5) Distinguished Scholar Award which is a maximum of $3,000 per year for 2000 undergraduate students who want to study at a Maryland college; 6) Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship which is $7,200 to $8,550 per year for 700 students in Maryland (undergraduate and graduate) who are dependents of disabled or deceased veterans; 7) Mary Rubin and Benjamin M. Rubin Scholarship which varies from $500 to $2,500 per year for 30 to 35 students who reside in Maryland and are undergraduates or graduates at a Maryland college; and Senatorial Scholarships which are between $200 and $2,000 per year awarded to 7,000 undergraduate students who want to attend Maryland college
Grants in Maryland for 2012
Maryland is not just a lovely state to live in but also to attend school in. If you would like to go to college or university but do not know how you are going to afford to pay tuition then you need to be introduced to education grants. Unlike student loans, grants are money that does not have to be paid back to the government. Let us look at what Maryland residents can expect in terms of grants for 2012:
The University Incentive Grant Award: This grant program is available to students who enroll at John Hopkins University (JHU). It is a need-based grant and the amount given to student varies from one individual to another. More information about this grant can be obtained from the JHU’s Office of Academic Advising.
The Bander Family Fund for Independent Projects Grant Program: This grant program comes by way of the JHU’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS). The application deadline for this grant is March 2012. This grant program offer up to a maximum of $4000 a year to eligible students. Applicants must be KSAS arts and science undergraduate students who are attending John Hopkins University.
The Hodson Trust Scholarship Grant Program: This grant program is a scholarship/grant in one and is available for freshmen attending JHU to apply for. Money can go towards paying tuition and other educational costs. This is not a need-based grant but a merit-based grant that can be renewed for up to a maximum of three years. Students who receive money from this grant program are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Representative Grant (Chesapeake College): If you wish to attend Chesapeake College you can apply for a grant to help you with tuition costs. Applications can be obtained through the Office of Financial Aid at the college. The application deadline for the Representative Grant through this college is April.
Academic Competitiveness Grant
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (AC) is awarded to freshman and sophomore students who have already qualified for the Pell Grant. These students must have excellent grades and must show promising signs and potential for community service and leadership. A student may qualify for up to $750 during their first year of school and up to $1,300 for their second year. The grant money awarded from the Pell Grant and the AC Grant cannot exceed the cost of the student’s tuition.
SMART Grant
If you plan to study mathematics, computer science, engineering or science and then pursue a career in any of these fields following graduation then the SMART Grant may be for you. Also known by its longer name, the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, this grant program offers up to $4,000 per year for eligible juniors and seniors in high school.
The College-Bound Last-Dollar Grant
This grant is geared at Baltimore City High School graduates and is based on financial need. Students who qualify for this grant are eligible to receive up to $3,000 per school year. The College-Bound Last-Dollar Grant is renewable up to a period of five years time. The maximum amount that an individual can receive from this grant is $15,000.
To qualify for this education grant students must be a recent graduate of Baltimore City High School and they must have been accepted into one of the nine colleges in the state of Maryland. Their total family income must be under $75,000 on an annual basis. The student applying for this grant is responsible for contributing 15 percent of their college expenses. Students who are accepted for this grant program are expected to attend a mandatory seminar and luncheon. There is also mandatory attendance at other programs.
Therefore, there are a myriad of possible grants and scholarships available to students in Maryland attending a Maryland college or university. It is advisable to apply so you don’t miss out.
