Financial Aid for Undocumented Students

One App for Undocumented Students

Qualified children of undocumented immigrants who are eligible for in-state tuition under 15-106.8 of the MD Education Article are eligible to apply for various state financial aid grants and scholarships including:

• Educational Assistance Grant
• Guaranteed Access Grant
• Campus-Based Educational Assistance Grant
• Part-Time Grant
• Delegate Scholarship(s)
• Senatorial Scholarship(s)
• Near Completer Grant
• Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship

Who should complete the Maryland One App?

The One App is available to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application allows qualified children of undocumented immigrants, who qualify for in-state tuition under 15-106.8 of the MD Education Article, to apply and be considered for certain types of State need-based financial aid, such as the: Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards Program, the Part-Time Grant, the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship, and the Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship.

When will the One App be available?

The online application will be available through the Maryland College Aid Processing (MDCAPS) portal beginning November 1st. Applications generally must be completed by March 1st for consideration. This deadline has been extended to June 1st for the 2024-2025 school year. 

What is the difference between the FAFSA and the One App?

Students should only complete one of the applications (not both) according to the requirements below:

1. You are eligible to complete the FAFSA if you are a:
   • US Citizen
   • Permanent Resident
   • Eligible non-citizen
   • T Visa holder
2. You are eligible to complete the One App if you are:
   • Undocumented
   • Meeting the non-resident exemption as described under 15-106.8 of the MD Education Article

What should I do if I have already submitted a FAFSA before learning that I should have submitted the One App?

You must complete the One App through the Maryland College Aid Processing (MDCAPS) portal, as MHEC will not be able to use the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for State financial aid.

Can I fill out the One App if I don’t have a Social Security Number?

Yes. Students are not required to have a Social Security Number to submit the application. However, students will need to meet the non-resident exemption requirements as described under 15-106.8 of the MD Education Article to qualify for aid.

Will any of my information on the application be shared?

The personally identifiable information (PII) provided on the One App is confidential and used solely to determine eligibility for State financial aid. the PII will be disclosed only as required by law.

What happens after I complete the One App?

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) will notify applicants if they are awarded an Educational Assistance Grant or a Guaranteed Access Grant . Awarding for the other State grant/scholarship programs will occur in the summer and eligible applicants will be notified by e-mail if they are awarded.

Your institution will notify you if you have been awarded the Part-Time Grant or Campus-Based Educational Assistance Grant. 

MHEC encourages students to monitor their “To Do List” in MDCAPS to verify no additional information is required for any of the grant or scholarship programs you may have applied for. If additional information is needed, be sure to submit all required documents by the deadline. Note: MHEC communicates with all applicants by email; therefore, students are encouraged to provide an e-mail address that they check frequently on any application for State financial aid.

Where can I find out more information?

Additional information about the One App is available here.

List of Foundation Scholarships

• View and apply for of Carroll Community College Foundation Scholarships on AwardSpring

List of Private Scholarships for Undocumented Students