Need-Based Grants

Towson University offers the following need-based grants.  All these programs require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For Fall 2024 forward, the FAFSA defines financial need based on a Student Aid Index (SAI) value.  Prior to Fall 2024, it used the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Federal Pell Grant

Application Process  

You must reapply every year by completing the FAFSA process.

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must meet the Federal Eligibility Requirements.
  • You must be pursuing your first bachelor's degree.
  • Does this aid program require Financial Need? Yes.
  • For Fall 2024 forward, you must meet financial need requirements based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA and other FAFSA Pell Grant eligibility indicators. 
  • For Fall 2023 through Summer 2024, Pell Grant eligibility was based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the 2023-2024 FAFSA.
  • Your Lifetime Pell Grant Eligibility is limited to the equivalent of 6 years (12 semesters) of full-time enrollment.

Award Amounts

For 2024-2025, the maximum annual Pell Grants range from $740 to $7,395 per year depending on your SAI and other FAFSA Pell Grant eligibility indicators.

Enrollment Requirements

For Fall 2024 forward, you must enroll for at least 12 units per term to receive the full-time amount. If you enroll part-time (< 12 units), your amount will be pro-rated based on your total term units divided by 12 units.  Examples: 11/12, 10/12, ... 2/12, 1/12.  See Minimum Credit requirements. 

For Fall 2023 to Summer 2024, awards were pro-rated based on full-time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time, or less than 1/2 time enrollment. 

TU “Institutional Grants” and Federal SEOG Grants

Both these funds are limited.  We pool them together and establish combined award criteria that assign standard award amounts to recipients regardless of which fund they receive their award from.

Application Process

For priority consideration, you must complete the FAFSA Process every year by our FAFSA Priority Deadlines. (Late applicants will only be awarded if funds are available.)

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must meet the Federal General Eligibility Requirements.
  • Does this aid program require Financial Need? Yes.
  • You must be pursuing your first bachelor's degree. 
  • Funding is limited, and TU selects recipients based on an annual evaluation of financial need and FAFSA, aid documentation, and admission application dates.  Prior recipients do not receive preference for awards in subsequent years, and eligibility formulas may change.
  • If students are living on-campus or with their parents, they cannot receive this grant in combination with a Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).  If this occurs, the "Institutional Grant" will be canceled. This restriction does not apply to students who are living off-campus not with parents.
  • To receive an award from the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funds, you must also be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and the Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA must be $0.  Some SEOG recipients may receive awards from both funds, with their award amounts matching similar students who only receive awards from the Institutional Grant.

Typical Award Amounts

Amounts vary based on financial need, housing status, and in-state or out-of-state tuition rates. Annual award amounts are subject to change.

Enrollment Requirements

Awards are pro-rated based on full-time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time, or less than 1/2 time enrollment. See Minimum Credit requirements. Awards may not be used for summer enrollment.

TU Top 10% Grants

Application Process

For priority consideration, new freshman applicants must apply for fall semester admission and submit a complete admission application (including transcripts and other admission documents) by November 15 and must also submit a FAFSA by our FAFSA Priority Deadlines.

For priority consideration for renewal awards,  prior recipients must resubmit a new FAFSA ever year  by our FAFSA Priority Deadlines.

Late applicants will only be awarded if funds are available.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Freshman admits from Baltimore City and Baltimore County public schools, who are in the top 10 percent of their class at the end of their junior year in high school.
  • Completion of college prep curriculum in the same high school for four years.
  • Interested students must apply to TU by the deadlines listed above and their top 10 percent status must be verified by their high school. (The high school must provide our office with a list of weighted class ranks.)
  • Applicants must demonstrate financial need defined as a FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) less than or equal to $10,000.

Maximum Award Amounts

The maximum award amounts are $1,200.

Enrollment Requirements

Students must enroll full-time for each fall and spring semester (at least 12 units per semester).

TU Student Emergency Grant Fund

If you are a currently enrolled TU student who is experiencing financial challenges, you can apply for an Emergency Grant from TU Foundation (donor) funds. 

MHEC Grants 

Maryland residents may apply for the following need-based grants from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). If you are required to provide parent data on your FAFSA, then your parent(s) must also be Maryland residents. To apply, every year, you must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by MHEC's FAFSA deadline and must demonstrate financial need. The GA and 2+2 program also require an additional MHEC application. 

The first three awards require at least 12 credits per semester. All four of these MHEC awards may only be received for fall and spring classes. They can never be received for summer or winter minimester enrollment.   MHEC's Howard P. Rawlings Program of Educational Excellence Awards include the Guaranteed Access Grant​​ and the Educational Assistance Grant​.  For more information, follow the links below.

MHEC's Educational Assistance (EA) Grant

To apply for MHEC's Educational Assistance (EA) Grant, you must file a FAFSA every year by March 1.  It does not require an additional MHEC application. Funds are limited, and MHEC selects recipients based on financial need. Award amounts range from $400 to $3,000 per year.  You must enroll full-time.

MHEC's Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

To apply for MHEC's Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant, you must file a FAFSA every year by March 1 and must submit an additional GA application to MHEC during your senior year of high school. Applicants must show exceptionally high financial need. Award amounts range from $400 to $18,300 per year. You must enroll full-time.

MHEC's 2+2 Transfer Scholarship

To apply for MHEC's 2+2 Transfer Scholarship, you must file a FAFSA every year by March 1 and must submit an additional 2+2 application to MHEC. Awards may be renewed based on MHEC's criteria. Eligible applicants must be transferring from a Maryland community college. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,000 per year depending on your major. After you transfer to TU, you must enroll full-time to receive the award.

Campus-Based Part-time Grant

To apply for MHEC's Campus-Based Part-time Grant, you must reapply every year by completing the FAFSA process by March 1. MHEC allocates a portion of their funds to TU, and we award the funds based on MHEC's financial need selection formula. Awards range from $400 to $2,000 per year. You must enroll for 6-11 credits per semester.