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In-State Applicants with DACA Status

Maryland State Financial Aid Application

The Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) is available to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


Frequently Asked Questions

Who should complete the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA)?

The Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) is available to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

 

How do I complete the MSFAA?

First, create an MDCAPS account at MDCAPS.MHEC.state.md.us.

  • If you do not have a social security number, enter zeroes.
  • Complete the MFSAA Eligibility Wizard before being able to fill out the MFSAA. The Eligibility Wizard consists of a series of questions required to ensure that the Maryland State Financial Aid Application is the correct application for you.

 

Is there a deadline to complete the MSFAA?

The MSFAA form must be filed by March 1st to be considered for aid in the next academic year (Fall/Spring semesters).

 

What is the difference between the FAFSA and the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA)?

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:
    • U.S. Citizen
    • Permanent Resident
    • Eligible non-citizen
    • T Visa holder
  2. You are eligible to complete the MSFAA if you are:

 

What should I do if I have already submitted a FAFSA before learning that I should have submitted a Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA)?

You must complete the MSFAA 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.

The MDCAPS portal is found on the MHEC website

 

As an undocumented student, am I eligible for State student aid?

Students who have completed their MSFAA by the state deadline may potentially be eligible for Maryland State Legislative Scholarships: Delegate Scholarship and Senatorial Scholarship or both. We are also looking into whether professional-level students with DACA status can apply for the MD Graduate Professional Scholarship (this is pending notice from MHECC).

Graduate students are eligible for legislative scholarships; however, preference is given to undergraduate students. Students must email their district legislators and specify:

  • Their full name
  • Their career level
  • Their district
  • Request the legislative office email them an application.

Each district has its own application and document requirements (some may require a short essay, academic transcript, a recommendation contact).

For students who have completed an MSFAA, they need to attach a copy of the processed MSFAA to the legislator’s scholarship application for submission.

To find Maryland district legislators, go to the Maryland General Assembly website.

 

When will the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) be available?

The application is available through the MDCAPS portal.

For more information, visit mhec.maryland.gov.

 

 

For more information, visit MHEC.maryland.gov


External Scholarships

National Medical Fellowship (NMF) Alliance for Inclusion in Medicine (AIM)

The National Medical Fellowship (NMF) Alliance for Inclusion in Medicine (AIM) program will serve second-year students underrepresented in medicine (MD, MD/PhD, DO, DO/PhD) and will run for two consecutive years (second and third years of medical school).

Scholar candidates must meet the following eligibility:

  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval letter
  • Must be currently enrolled in an accredited medical school located in the U.S.
  • Identification as an underrepresented student* in health care
  • Demonstrated leadership early in career
  • Interest in health care delivery to medically underserved communities

*NMF designates the following racial/ethnic groups as underrepresented students in health care: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American (Vietnamese and Cambodian only), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

 

NITRO by Sallie Mae

NITRO by Sallie Mae: The Scholarship for Undocumented Students section of NITRO’s website includes direct links to a wide variety of scholarships from private organizations to help students pursuing various degree programs.

The best way to search for scholarships on this website is to choose the award amount category as "amount varies" and select options through the other filters.

 

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Hispanic Scholarship Fund applicant requirements:

  • Must be of Hispanic heritage
  • U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students
  • Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the U.S., for the 2023-2024 academic year
  • Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable); must complete the MSFAA through MHEC.
  • NOTE: the deadline for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund 2022-23 school year was February 15, 2023, but students can review the current details and apply next academic year (2024/25).

 

Helpful Tips When Applying for a Private Scholarship

  • Your application should have thorough answers to questions.
  • Keep in mind that you will be reviewed by a committee that will most likely be looking at a large variety of applicants.
  • Make sure that every answer you give is honest, humble and makes you stand out in a pool of competitive applicants.
  • Ask whether you can submit a previously written college essay or if you need to write an original piece.

Should I Create a Portfolio?

  • A portfolio is an extension of your resume; private funders may want to see these portfolios.
  • In a portfolio, you can include letters of recommendation that you have received from former college professors, community members or peers.
  • A portfolio also provides additional information that will allow reviewers of your application to match you and point you out in a competitive pool of applicants.

DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of this external scholarship list and resources have been provided for informational purposes only. Please exercise caution when researching external scholarships and contact that scholarship program directly to verify the accuracy of the web-based information (especially the application deadlines).

Additionally, please note that while we encourage eligible Maryland (in-state approved) residents to apply for state financial scholarships, these funding opportunities (unless renewable) are not guaranteed.


Resources