Maryland Advantage

• Be a domestic Maryland resident.
• Be awarded for both the Federal Pell Grant and the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant (GAG) for the academic year.
• Be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits per semester) in an undergraduate program at Goucher College for the first two years.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as defined by Goucher College’s SAP policy.
• Full Time Enrollment Requirement
  • Year 1: Students must be enrolled full-time (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) for the first two years to remain eligible for the Maryland Advantage Program.
  • Years 2, 3 & 4: After the second year, students must complete and earn at least 30 credits per academic year (fall and spring semesters) to maintain eligibility for the Maryland Advantage Program. Students are still required to be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits per semester), but the focus shifts to earning a minimum of 30 credits by the end of the academic year.

1. Pell and GAG Coverage: The program will cover a student's remaining direct costs after applying Pell Grant and the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant.
2. Direct Costs: The program covers direct costs, including:
   • Tuition and fees
   • Housing (Basic First-Year Village Double Room Rate)
   • 19-meal plan
3. Subsidized Student Loan: Students may be eligible to apply for funding to cover indirect costs.
4. No Gap Coverage: The Maryland Advantage Program is a "no-gap" program, meaning it strives to cover the total cost of attendance for students, with no gaps between awarded financial aid and total costs.
5. Residency: Due to cost of attendance limitations, students who are eligible to live off-campus and choose to do so may experience a reduction in their merit award. This adjustment ensures that their financial aid aligns with their direct costs.

Subsequent Years: In years beyond the first, students will continue to receive funding for direct costs, but housing coverage will be capped at the combined cost of the current year’s rate for basic first-year village double room and a 19-meal plan. Any upgrade in housing or meal plan will be the responsibility of the student.

1. Maintain GAG Eligibility: Students must continue to meet eligibility requirements for the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant (GAG) in subsequent years.
2. Academic Progress: Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in accordance with Goucher College’s SAP policy. Failure to meet SAP standards may result in suspension from the program. https://www.goucher.edu/financial-aid/policies/satisfactory-academic-progress-policy
3. Credit Completion:
   • Year 1 : Students must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits per semester).
   • Years 2, 3 & 4: After completing one year in the program, students must earn at least 30 credits per academic year to remain eligible. This includes both fall and spring semesters.
4. Loss/Reduction of GAG Funds: If a student loses eligibility for the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant due to failure to meet the renewal criteria, the Maryland Advantage Program will not replace those funds with institutional aid. Students will be responsible for any remaining balance after the loss of GAG funding.

• Non-Transferable: The Maryland Advantage Program is not transferable to any other institution. Students must remain enrolled at Goucher College to receive the funding provided by the program.
• The Maryland Advantage Program is intended to cover a student’s first four years of undergraduate study. Students are expected to complete their undergraduate degree within this time frame.
• If a student exceeds the maximum allowable time frame or fails to meet academic progress requirements, they will no longer be eligible for the Maryland Advantage Program.
• Students may not receive Maryland Advantage Program funds for more than eight semesters (or the equivalent).
• Students must maintain continuous enrollment to remain eligible for the Guaranteed Access Grant.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Students must submit the FAFSA annually to determine their eligibility for federal aid and state financial aid, including the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant (GAG).
2. Create a Profile with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC): Students must create a profile with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and complete all associated documents required for state financial aid programs, including the Maryland Guaranteed Access Grant (GAG). https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us/MDCAPS/login.aspx?c=-8584706088464708588&ReturnUrl=/MDCAPS/int/FinAid/index.aspx
3. Submit any Additional Documents: The Goucher College Financial Aid Office may request additional documentation to verify eligibility for the Maryland Advantage Program or to finalize the award.

The Goucher College Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility for the Maryland Advantage Program based on the FAFSA results, GAG eligibility, and the completion of all required documents through MHEC.

The Maryland Advantage Program is renewable annually based on the student’s continued eligibility, as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Students must reapply for financial aid each year by submitting the FAFSA and any other required documentation by the published deadlines.