Skip to content

student aid resources

Thank you for your interest in financial aid and/or scholarships for your education. Although my office does not directly provide any student aid or grant money, I hope that the information below is useful to you. 

Maryland-specific Resources

The State of Maryland offers residents a variety of scholarships, loans and tuition exemptions.

  • Legislative scholarships are available through your state senator and delegates.
  • To find out who your state senator/delegates are and how to apply, visit http://www.mdelect.net. I encourage you to contact your local elected officials directly for information about their scholarships.
  • Consider prepaid tuition and college savings ("Section 529") plans: College Savings Plans Network.
  • Search your Internet browser under terms such as student financial aid or assistance AND Maryland.
  • Refer to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for more information on scholarships/financial aid offered to Maryland students.
  • Social Work: Scholarships

Colleges and universities provide 20% of aid, most need-based. Check university Web sites and the institution's financial aid office when you apply for admission.

Private foundations, corporations and organizations offer scholarships or grants:

Study Abroad: Financial Assistance

In addition to using International Financial Aid for study abroad funding opportunities, you may also wish to refer to your school’s financial aid page to see available types of aid.

Information on Maryland universities and their study abroad programs can be found here:

Although my office is not able to award scholarship funding, we can send you a financial aid and scholarship resource packet. If you would like one, please contact my office at (301) 545-1500.

Financial Aid for Students

Guides students through the process of locating and applying for financial aid. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for the U.S. Senate, updated January 2024

Getting Started

Student Aid and Where it Comes From

Basic assistance categories:

  • Financial need-basedRemember that students and their parents are responsible for paying what they can-- financial aid is a supplement, not a substitute, for family resources.
  • Non-need-basedFactors include academic excellence, ethnic background, or organization membership. Corporations may also offer assistance to employees and children.

Federal Student Aid:

For questions not covered by the Department of Education Web site, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Targeted Aid for Special Groups

Interested in public service?

Federal assistance programs seek to encourage people to work in geographic areas or professions where there's a particular need (such as doctors in underserved areas); encourage underrepresented groups to enter a particular profession; and provide aid in exchange for services provided (such as military service).

Aid for private K-12 education: No direct federal assistance, check with schools themselves:

Repaying Your Loans

After college, the federal government has ways to help you repay your loans.