Maryland Higher Education Commission

February 2010 Press Release

 

 

For immediate release: February 4, 2010                                   Media Contact: Christopher Falkenhagen
                                                                                                             Communications: (410) 260-4511

                                                                                                             cfalkenh@mhec.state.md.us

 

There's less than a month left before FAFSA filing deadline passes

Students seeking financial assistance from State must fill out form to qualify

Annapolis, MD (February 4, 2010) - There is less than a month remaining before the deadline passes for students seeking financial assistance from the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

The application deadline is March 1, 2010.

“In these especially difficult economic times, it is essential that students who are thinking about pursuing a postsecondary education file this important form,” Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr., said.

Competition for financial assistance from Maryland is expected to especially tight again this year. Last year OSFA received 20,000 more FAFSAs than it did in 2008.

Students can access the FAFSA form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For more information regarding Maryland financial assistance programs, prospective student can access www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/descriptions.asp. At that link, they will be able to find a description of each program. Students may also e-mail OSFA for more information at osfamail@mhec.state.md.us.

Governor O’Malley has budgeted nearly $110 million in this year’s FY 2011 budget for grants and scholarships to be administered by OSFA. During his time in office, he has provided $333 million over the past four years to more than 174,000 students.

 

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 350,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.

 

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