Howard Community College maintains and/or coordinates the following financial aid programs for students. Financial aid awards are normally for one academic year and it is the student’s responsibility to reapply each year. For all other 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 $5,815, 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 six years or 12 semesters of Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%.
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 from the U.S. Department of Education. 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.
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, Office of Student Assistance offers several need-based scholarships for Maryland residents. The scholarships most frequently awarded to HCC students include, but are not limited to, 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 (12+ credit hours). Please check with the Maryland State Office of Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or for additional information.
Transfer students who received a Maryland State scholarship at their previous school must update the school attendance information to include HCC on the Maryland Higher Education Commission Office website using MDCAPS.
HCC Grants/Scholarships — This is a need-based grant/scholarship program funded from Howard Community College’s operating budget. Scholarships are available for new and returning students. Awards range from $500 to $2500 for the academic year, dependent upon availability of funds, student eligibility, level of enrollment and other aid awarded. Students who completed the FAFSA and have a completed financial aid file by March 1, and demonstrate financial need as determined by Financial Aid Services will be given first priority.
HCC Educational Foundation, Inc. Scholarships — The college’s foundation maintains a scholarship program through contributions from private businesses, foundations, civic organizations and individuals. Scholarships are available to new and returning students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need. Scholarship awards can range from $100 to $5000 per year, not to exceed the cost of tuition, fees, and books in combination with other grant/scholarship aid. Award amounts and availability of funds are subject to change. Generally, priority is given to those students who apply by the March 1 priority deadline. For more information on specific scholarships available, consult Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu.
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 work up to 20 hours per week 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. Priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA and who have a completed financial aid file by March 1. For more information, please inquire in Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC website at www.howardcc.edu.
HCC Student Work-Study Program —HCC Student Work-Study is an institutionally funded part-time work program. Any student who desires part-time employment at the college may apply. Students work up to 20 hours per week during the regular semester, depending upon the availability of the college’s funds, and the student’s class schedule. Priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA and who have a completed financial aid file by March 1. For more information, please inquire in Financial Aid Services or refer to the HCC webpage at www.howardcc.edu.
Loans
Federal Direct Stafford Loans — Stafford 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 the HCC website to request a loan. Grade level progression for student loan eligibility is defined as follows:
Grade 1 = 1-29 completed credits
Grade 2 = 30 or more completed credits
The base loan limit for a Grade 1 borrower in an associate degree program is $3500. The base loan limit for a Grade 2 borrower in an associated degree program is $4500. Dependent students (as defined by the FAFSA) have additional Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan eligibility of $2000. Independent students (as defined by the FAFSA) have additional Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan eligibility of $6000. Annual and aggregate limits apply. Also, Subsidized Direct loan eligibility limits are based on 150% of program length. Program length in the loan program is defined as the number of years required to complete a program of study as established by the institution. For example, a 150% of an Associates 2 year degree would equate to a program length of 3 years. 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. Please inquire in Financial Aid Services for more information. First time loan borrowers at HCC are required to complete federal loan entrance counseling.
Transfer students to HCC, if a loan borrower, must cancel any remaining loan disbursements at the previously attended college. Please see the HCC website for more information to request a 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 parents’ have 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.