Financial Aid Programs

Howard Community College maintains and coordinates the following financial aid programs for students. Financial aid awards are for one academic year and it is the student’s responsibility to reapply each year. For financial aid purposes, the HCC academic year is defined as 24 credits.

Counselors are available in Financial Aid Services to assist students with application procedures and to discuss program eligibility.

Grants

Federal Pell Grant — Pell Grant is a Title IV program offering need-based grants ranging up to $6,195, dependent upon appropriations by Congress, student eligibility and level of enrollment. The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over their lifetime is limited by a new federal law to be the equivalent of approximately six years or 12 semesters of full-time Pell Grant funding. A student may not receive more than 600%.  Students may receive additional Pell during the Summer, even if they used 100% of their annual Pell amount during the Fall and Spring semesters ($6195 or the student's annual eligibility).  In order to be eligible for this additional Summer Pell (also called Year Round Pell), the student must enroll in 6 credits for Summer).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — FSEOG is a Title IV program offering grant funds for students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Grants are based on the student’s need and funds available. Typical full-time awards at HCC range from $100 to $1200 per year. Priority for FSEOG is given to those students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA and those who apply by the college’s priority filing date of March 1.

HCC Grants (HCCG) — This is a need-based grant program funded from Howard Community College’s operating budget.   HCCG grants are available for new and returning students. Awards range from $500 to $3500 for the academic year, dependent upon availability of funds, student eligibility, level of enrollment and other aid awarded. Students should complete the FAFSA by the March 1st priority deadline.  Those who meet the deadline and demonstrate financial need as determined by Financial Aid Services will be given first priority.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) — IASG is for eligible students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. The student must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of the EFC but meets the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements. In addition, the student must be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year, not to exceed the cost of attendance for the award year.

Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) Grant — The CCCPDF is a tuition assistance program awarded to eligible students at Howard Community College to fund 100% of their tuition, books, and fees. Students must be working toward the AAS in Early Childhood Development or the AAT in Early Childhood Education/Special Education degree. All applicants must have at least one year of experience in licensed child care, hold a Level 2 Credential with MSDE, and work at least 10 hours/week in a licensed child care setting. After acceptance, students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and reapply annually. Participants in the CCCPDF must also commit to working in child care in the state of Maryland after completion of their degree (two years for the AAS or AAT) or the tuition, books, and fees will convert to a loan. Please contact Mimi Heimsoth at mheimsoth@howardcc.edu for more information.

Scholarships

Maryland State Scholarship Program —The Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC's) Office of Student Assistance offers several need-based and non-need-based scholarships and grant for Maryland residents, including some funding for qualified undocumented residents. The scholarships most frequently awarded to HCC students include Educational Assistance Grants, Guaranteed Access Grants, Senatorial Scholarships, and Delegate Scholarships. In order to be considered for a Maryland State Scholarship, a student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1. Some state scholarships may have additional application requirements and require full-time enrollment.

Recipients of the Educational Assistance Grants and Guaranteed Access Grants must EARN at least 30 credits each year in order to be eligible for full renewal of the grant in the following year of enrollment (24 credits for a pro-rated amount).  First year recipients are exempt from this requirements.

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a need-based last-dollar Maryland State scholarship program, beginning with academic year 2019-2020.  Last dollar means that students are eligible for this scholarship to help pay their tuition and fees charges AFTER the application of their other grant and scholarship aid is applied.   Students can apply for this scholarship by completing the FAFSA by March 1st.   Students must have graduated from high school or completed a GED within the previous two years.  Students who meet the minimum income qualifications will be notified by MHEC of additional documentation to submit.   Once eligibility is determined, MHEC will award students in order of greatest demonstrated financial need. Student's who receive the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship must agree to a service obligation upon graduation, to work for one year in Maryland for each year the student receives the scholarship, or the scholarship will convert to a loan.  The scholarship will convert to a loan if the student does not graduate.

Please check with the Maryland State Office of Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or mhec.maryland.gov or for additional information.   

HCC Educational Foundation Scholarships — The college’s foundation maintains a scholarship program of both need-based and non-needbased scholarship through contributions from local businesses, foundations, civic organizations and individuals. Scholarships are available to new and returning students based on the criteria set by the donor, such as academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need. Scholarship awards can range from $100 to $5000 per year.   For consideration, students must complete the HCC Scholarship Application at www.howardcc.edu/scholarship.  Priority for the need-based scholarships is given to those students who apply by the March 1 priority deadline, however the priority deadline to complete the Scholarship Application for merit-based scholarships is June 1. For more information on specific scholarships available, consult Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu/financialaid .

Part-Time Employment

Federal Work-Study Program —Federal Work-Study is a Title IV program offering part-time work for HCC students who demonstrate financial need. Students schedule their hours to work during the regular semester, depending upon the student’s financial need, availability of federal funds and the student’s class schedule. Seven percent of the school’s annual Federal Work-Study allocation will be used to fund community service jobs.  Offcampus tutoring positions are available in local elementary schools.   Oncampus internship positions are also available.   Priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA and who have a completed financial aid file by March 1. Once awarded work-study, a student must apply for a workstudy job and be hired, in order to earn the funds.   Students should be registered in at least 6 credits in order to apply for work-study positions.  For more information, please inquire in Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu/financialaid .

Loans

Federal Direct Loans — Direct Student loans are a Title IV financial aid program where federal aid eligibility requirements apply. Loan applicants must be actively enrolled in at least six financial aid eligible credits. Students need to complete the loan request  on myHCC through Financial Aid Self-Service. Grade level progression for student loan eligibility is defined as follows:

Grade 1 = 1-30 earned credits, including transfer credits

Grade 2 = 31 or more earned credits, including transfer credits

Subsidized loan are need-based and the federal government pays the interest while the borrower is enrolled in school (called the interest subsidy).  Students are eligible for unsubsidized loans regardless of need, and unsubsidized loans do not get an interest subsidy.  Interest accrues while the borrower is enrolled in college and is capitalized back into the principal.

The base or subsidized loan limit for a Grade 1 borrower in an associate degree program is $3500. The base or subsidized loan limit for a Grade 2 borrower in an associated degree program is $4500. Dependent students (as defined on the FAFSA) have additional Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan eligibility of $2000. Independent students (as defined on the FAFSA) have additional Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan eligibility of $6000.  

For dependent students, the annual limit is $5500 for Grade 1 and $6500 for grade 1.    For independent students, the annual borrowing limit for Grade 1 is $9500 and for Grade 2 is $10500.

In addition to annual borrowing limits, there are aggregate lifetime borrowing limits for undergraduate students.    The aggregate lifetime limit for base or subsidized loans for an undergraduate student is $$23,500, and the total aggregate lifetime borrowing limit (both subsidized and unsubsidized loans) for an undergraduate student is $57,500.

The interest rate for all new Stafford Loans is a fixed rate based on disbursement date (subject to change by Congress).

Students enrolled in certain certificate programs may not be eligible for the full loan amount due to the short duration of the program. Graduating students borrowing in their final term of enrollment may not be eligible for the full loan amount.   Please inquire in Financial Aid Services for more information.

First time loan borrowers at HCC are required to complete federal loan entrance counseling.

Also, Congress has implemented restrictions on the length of time a student borrower with subsidized loans should take to complete their degree or certificate.   Borrowers who continue to enroll after that time period without having completed their program, will have their Subsidized Direct loans converted to an "unsubsidized" loan - therefore losing their subsidy.   This limit is 150% of program length defined in years or partial years. For example, a 150% of an Associates 2 year degree would equate to a program length of 3 years.   A student who enrolls fulltime would be expected to complete the program within three years.   If the student does not complete their degree and continues to enroll, then all subsidized loans borrowed by that student will convert to an unsubsidized loan.  

Federal Direct PLUS Loans — Federal Direct PLUS Loans are a Title IV program which enables parents who do not have adverse credit histories to borrow funds to pay the educational expenses of their child if the student is classified as a “dependent” and enrolled at least half-time (6 credits or more). The student and the parent must meet 

the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid and the student must maintain satisfactory academic progress. The parent must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen and may not be in default or owe a refund to any federal student aid program. The PLUS loan is not a need-based loan. A parent is eligible to borrow up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid the student is receiving. Currently, the interest rate is fixed at 7.9% (subject to change by Congress).

Dependent students whose parent has been denied a PLUS loan may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds.

All originated Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans will be submitted to the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.