Maryland residents have access to federal grant programs plus a layer of state-administered programs funded by federal block grants, state appropriations, and partnerships with private foundations. This guide covers the most relevant 2026 programs by category, with the agencies that actually administer each one.
Federal grants available in Maryland
All federal grant programs are open to Maryland residents who meet program eligibility. The highest-volume programs are:
- Pell Grant — up to $7,580 for 2026–27 for undergraduates with demonstrated need, awarded through the FAFSA.
- FSEOG — supplemental need-based aid ($100–$4,000) administered by participating Maryland colleges.
- TEACH Grant — up to $4,000/yr for students who agree to teach in high-need fields at low-income schools (becomes a loan if the service is not completed).
- SBA loan and disaster programs — including 7(a), 504, microloans, and disaster recovery loans administered by SBA district offices serving Maryland.
- FEMA Individual Assistance — activated after a presidentially declared disaster in Maryland counties.
- HUD pass-through programs — CDBG, HOME, and Housing Choice Vouchers administered by Maryland state and local agencies.
There is no Maryland-specific application step for federal aid — submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and apply for SBA/FEMA programs directly through the federal portals.
State higher-education grants
The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards include the need-based Educational Assistance Grant and the Guaranteed Access Grant for Maryland residents with high financial need. The Senatorial Scholarship and Delegate Scholarship are legislator-nominated awards. The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship covers tuition at community colleges for income-qualifying students.
Apply via the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) portal: mhec.maryland.gov/. Most state higher-education awards require the FAFSA and have earlier deadlines than the federal FAFSA priority date — check the state portal each January.
State-administered federal block grants
The following federal block grants flow into Maryland and are re-distributed by state agencies:
- LIHEAP (energy/heating assistance) — administered by the Maryland human-services or community-services department.
- WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) — energy-efficiency retrofits for low-income households.
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) — cash assistance for families with children.
- CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) — subsidies for child care.
- CDBG and HOME — community development and affordable housing, channeled through Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
- SNAP — food assistance, administered by Maryland's social-services agency (a benefit program, not a grant).
- WIOA workforce training funds — administered through the Maryland workforce-development board and local workforce-development areas.
Housing assistance in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) runs the major homeownership and rental programs: Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) first mortgages combined with down-payment-assistance loans and partner-match grants from employers, builders, and local jurisdictions. Local public housing authorities operate Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing in Maryland cities and counties.
For details and current income limits visit Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Small-business support in Maryland
True grants for small business are relatively rare; most state programs are loans, tax credits, or technical assistance. Maryland businesses can access:
- Maryland Department of Commerce programs — including workforce-training reimbursement, industry-targeted incentives, and rural/opportunity-zone grants.
- Maryland SBDC — free counseling and help identifying federal and state funding sources.
- SBA programs — 7(a) loans up to $5M, 504 loans, microloans up to $50,000, and SBIR/STTR research grants (Phase I ~$314k, Phase II ~$2.1M).
- USDA Rural Development business grants and loans for Maryland's rural counties.
Disaster and emergency assistance
Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) coordinates federal disaster grants for storms, hurricanes, and severe weather events. Survivors typically apply for FEMA Individual Assistance at disasterassistance.gov and small-business disaster loans through the SBA. Call 211 for local United Way referrals to emergency rent, food, and utility assistance.
How to apply
- File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov — required for Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, and most Maryland state higher-education programs.
- Apply for Maryland state aid through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) portal before the state deadline.
- For housing, contact the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) or an approved lender — many programs require attendance at a HUD-approved homebuyer-education course.
- For small business, schedule a free session with the Maryland SBDC before applying for any state or federal program.
- For disaster recovery, register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov within the application window for your declared disaster.
There is no application fee for legitimate state or federal grants. Any service charging to "process," "expedite," or "guarantee" your Maryland grant application is selling information that is freely available. Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Common questions
Where do I find the official Maryland grant portal? Start at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) for student aid, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for housing, and the Maryland Department of Commerce for business and economic-development programs. Each maintains a current list of open programs.
Are Maryland state grants taxable? Grants used for qualified educational expenses (tuition, fees, required books) are generally not taxable. Grants to for-profit businesses generally are taxable income. Consult IRS guidance or a tax professional for your specific program.
What if my SBA loan is denied? Work with the Maryland SBDC to strengthen your application, or consider an SBA microloan intermediary, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lender, or a community bank that participates in SBA Express (loans up to $500,000).
Where do I report grant scams in Maryland? Report scams to the FTC and to the Maryland Attorney General's consumer-protection division.
State residency alone does not qualify you for any grant — every program has its own eligibility criteria. Apply early, especially for state higher-education grants, which often have deadlines earlier than the federal FAFSA priority date.