Maryland Higher Education Commission

January 2008 Press Release

 

 

 

File your FAFSA as soon as possible

 

Millions of state and federal financial aid is available

 

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – (January 2, 2008)

 

High school seniors heading to higher education institutions: Learn the acronym FAFSA – quick!

With Maryland recording more than 325,570 enrollments last fall, its highest in history and continued growth expected for fall 2008, the Maryland Higher Education Commission encourages Maryland’s college-bound students to apply as soon as possible for financial aid to ensure full consideration.

“No one should be denied a college education. I fear too many of our students are suffering that fate, because they don’t know what we have to offer in financial assistance,” Maryland Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr. said. “MHEC offers many outstanding financial aid programs, as well as recommendations on how to make college more affordable and student loans less burdensome once students graduate.”

The federal financial aid process always begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form determines whether a student qualifies for need-based, federal aid -- like the Pell Grant or the subsidized Stafford loan program -- or for Maryland’s need-based financial aid programs, such as the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant and Educational Grant programs. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or on paper, which can be obtained by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID. Be sure to know what the colleges’ financial aid deadlines are. Contact each institution now to determine their deadlines. Some may be early, but the deadline for State need-based aid programs is definitely March 1st.

It is imperative for students to continue their education past high school in today’s global economy. To help these students succeed financially in institutions of higher learning, there are millions of Maryland and federal dollars available to students. You don’t want to miss out on your opportunity to qualify for these numerous grant and scholarship awards by missing a deadline.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission produces the Student Guide to Higher Education and Financial Aid in Maryland, which includes a thumbnail sketch of all of Maryland’s colleges and universities, along with an overview of all of Maryland’s State grants and scholarships.

Each year, the Office of Student Financial Assistance of the Maryland Higher Education Commission awards almost $110 million in financial aid to Maryland students. For more information about financial aid in Maryland, visit MHEC online at www.MDgo4it.org or via the telephone at 1-800-974-1024 or 410-260-4565.

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 300,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.