Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is an annual process. This means a new application must be completed for each academic year. You are encouraged to apply for financial aid by the March 1 priority filing date.
2025-2026 Application Process (Fall 2025, Winter/Spring 2026, and Summer 2026)
Beginning October 1, 2025, students can complete the 2026–2027 FAFSA. For the best chance at receiving maximum aid, be sure to apply before the March 1, 2026 priority deadline. While you are preparing to complete your 2025-26 FAFSA, take some time to review the following articles:
- Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account
- 6 Things Students Need Before They Fill Out the FAFSA® Form
- Can I create a StudentAid.gov account if I don’t have a Social Security number?
- What should I do if I have an unusual circumstance and can’t provide parent information?
STEP 1 - Complete Your FAFSA or MD One App (MSFAA)
Financial aid applicants should complete either the FAFSA or the MD One App every academic year. The FAFSA requires students to be US citizens or eligible non-citizens. Learn more about who qualifies as an eligible non-citizen here. The MD One App is available for applicants who do not meet the citizenship requirements of the FAFSA but meet certain MD residency requirements. Click here to learn more about the MD One App.
Submitting a FAFSA
New to applying for financial aid using the FAFSA? Create an FSA ID by going to studentaid.gov. The FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Then complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov.
Helpful tips:
- Be sure to include HCC's school code (008175) in the school code section of the FAFSA.
- For ease and accuracy, we encourage you to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
- Although a social security number is not required for admissions, students who wish to be considered for financial aid must provide HCC their social security number.
- Be sure to use your FSA ID to sign your FAFSA electronically.
Submitting a MD One App (MSFAA)
Login to MDCAPS to submit the MD One App (MSFAA) online at https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us. If you do not have an MDCAPS account, select the “Create a Student Login” option to create a new account. Have questions about the application? Check out the MD One App (MSFAA) User Guide here.
STEP 2 - Complete Your HCC Scholarship Application
Apply for Howard Community College Educational Foundation scholarships. Visit our Howard Community College Educational Foundation scholarships page for additional information and to learn about scholarship eligibility requirements.
Transfer Students Only
If you have received financial aid from another institution, please also do the following:
- Add HCC's school code (008175) to your FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
- Although a social security number is not required for admissions, students who wish to be considered for financial aid must provide HCC with their social security number.
- If you were awarded a MD state scholarship, update your school information with Maryland Higher Education Commission by going to MDCAPS.
- If you have pending Federal Direct Student Loans at a previous institution, you must contact that school to cancel the remaining 2025-2026 disbursements. To request a 2025-2026 Federal Direct Student Loan at HCC, complete the loan request on myHCC Financial Aid Self-Service by selecting "Request a New Loan".
Please note: The Department of Education prohibits students from receiving financial aid at two or more institutions during a single term. If you are planning to enroll in courses that are required to complete a degree at another institution, please contact the Financial Aid Services immediately to discuss your options.