Student Financial Aid | Allegany College of Maryland

OVER $15 MILLION AWARDED ANNUALLY

$15M

PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR FAFSA

MAY 1

FEDERAL
SCHOOL CODE

002057

What you need to do?

1. GET ACCEPTED
- Submit your admissions application.
2. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
- Apply by the March 1 priority filing date to maximize your financial aid resources.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, your first step to apply for Federal grants, student and parent loans, and work-study.
- Enter ACM’s Federal School Code 002057 for us to receive your FAFSA results.
- Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool to transfer tax information into your FAFSA.

If you live in Willowbrook Woods, your financial aid file must be completed by July 1 to ensure proper processing.

To use your financial aid funds for purchases at the ACM Campus Store, your financial aid file should be completed before August 1 or you may have to pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement.

Financial aid files completed after August 1 will be awarded in the order in which they are received. ACM must have your correct and completed FAFSA by your last day of enrollment for the academic year.

*IMPORTANT: If your family income has recently decreased or you have unusual circumstances and do not know how to complete your FAFSA, please see the 'Discover More’ area below for the blue box entitled “Special Cases.” If you any questions about this information, please contact our office at 301-784-5213 or email us at studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu.

3. CHECK YOUR ACM EMAIL
- Follow steps to complete your file.

4. COMPLETE YOUR FILE AND ACCEPT YOUR AID
- Monitor your Financial Aid Checklist in Self-Service.

Students who are selected for Verification by the Federal Government will be notified by the ACM Financial Aid Office through their student email account and may need to provide additional documentation.

In order to complete your file, you must return all ‘Required Documents’, which can be found in Self-Service, to the Student Financial Aid Office. Once you have submitted all the documents your file will be reviewed and awarded; at which time you will receive an official Award Notification email in your ACM email account that explains the award process. At that time, you may view and accept your awards online in Self-Service. Some awards do require online acceptance.

Notification of ACM-funded scholarship awards will be made by the ACM Foundation Office.
If you are interested in receiving student loans, you must be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours, submit your FAFSA, and complete your financial aid file. All first-time borrowers at ACM will need to log on to https://studentaid.gov and complete Entrance Counseling, a Master Promissory Note and the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement (ASLA).

For Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. residents, monitor the email that you entered on your FAFSA as these State agencies offer State Grants/Scholarships (if eligible) that normally require additional items to be complete.

5. APPLY FOR ACM SCHOLARSHIPS

What do we do?

Assist students with the financial process from start to finish.
Provide one-on-one financial aid counseling sessions at no cost.
Offer financial support programs for all types of situations.

Publicize grants, scholarships, low-interest student loans, and work study opportunities.
Award financial assistance to over 90% of our students.

Maryland Community College Promise

Scholarship

Discover more...

IRS Data Retrieval

Summer Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Helpful Videos

Take a look at the following videos for step by step guides and helpful tips!

7 Easy Steps for FAFSA

After the FAFSA

Determining Dependency

FSA ID Tips & Issues

How to Create an FSA ID

Helpful Presentations

Federal Grants

From a variety of agencies, federal grants are intended to help students meet education-related expenses. Unlike loans, you do not repay grants.

Pell Grant
Provides funds for eligible students of up to $7,395 for each undergraduate year for full-time or part-time enrollment. Requires FAFSA completion. Grant award determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

IMPORTANT CHANGE: Students have limited eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant equal to the equivalent of six years or 12 full-time semesters. Through the Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) law, the assessed value is a percentage: 100% for each year at full time. When you reach 600%, you are no longer eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants regardless of when or where you received your first Pell Grant.

You can check your Pell LEU at https://studentaid.gov/

REQUIREMENTS: Show financial need as determined by U.S. Department of Education; be enrolled as a regular degree-seeking student; be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.; be an undergraduate student.

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057.

DEADLINE: Apply in January of the year that college entry is planned.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Provides grant assistance from $100 to $4,000 per academic year of undergraduate study.

REQUIREMENTS: Show exceptional financial need with priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.; be an undergraduate student.

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057.

DEADLINE: Apply in early January of year that college entry is planned.

IRAQ/Afghanistan Service Grant
Provides grant funds for students who are ineligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant up to $6,895. You may receive the grant each year during undergraduate study for full-time or part-time enrollment. Your parent or guardian must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/2001.

REQUIREMENTS: Show financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education; be enrolled as a regular degree-seeking student; be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.; be an undergraduate student; be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of parent's or guardian's death.

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057. Students must also submit the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Application through our Student Financial Aid Office.

DEADLINE: Complete the FAFSA in January of the year that college entry is planned. Complete the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Application before July 15.

State Grants

MARYLAND RESIDENTS

If you live in Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) offers:

Guaranteed Access Grants
Educational Assistance Grants
Delegate Scholarships
Senatorial Scholarships
Maryland Promise Scholarships
Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Youth
The State of Maryland grants a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to students who meet the definition of a foster care youth:
- Youth was placed in out-of-home placement by the Maryland Department of Human Services and resided in an out-of-home placement on the individual’s 18th birthday or at the time of graduation from high school or upon successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) examination; OR
- Youth resided in an out-of-home placement for at least one year on or after the individual’s 13th birthday and entered into guardianship, was adopted, or reunited with at least one of the individual’s parents; OR
- Youth was/is the younger sibling of an individual who met the qualifications outlined above, and was concurrently placed into the same guardianship by the same parent, or was adopted by the same adoptive family with the older sibling.
  
  Students must:
  - complete the FAFSA each year (or MSFAA if you cannot complete the FAFSA)
    - the MSFAA must be completed before March 1 each year
  - complete the ACM Foster Youth Application
  - be enrolled on or before the age of 25
  - be enrolled in a certificate or A.A. degree
  Students who receive information that they do not meet the definitions listed above have the right to appeal that decision. Please contact the Allegany College of Maryland Homeless and Foster Student Liaison (Meghan Palumbo) at mpalumbo@allegany.edu for more information on this waiver or for instructions on how to appeal a decision.
- Tuition Waiver for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
  The State of Maryland grants a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to students who meet the definition of an unaccompanied homeless youth:
  - Youth had a consistent presence in the state of Maryland for at least one year before enrollment in a public institution of higher education that is documented by school, employment, or other records; and
  - Has been verified as a homeless child or youth, as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, at any time during the 24 months immediately preceding the student’s enrollment in a public institution of higher education or while the student is enrolled in a public institution of higher education.
    
    The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."
    
    Students must:
    - complete the FAFSA each year (or MSFAA if you cannot complete the FAFSA)
      - the MSFAA must be completed before March 1 each year
    - complete the ACM Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Application
    - be enrolled on or before the age of 25
    - be enrolled in a certificate or A.A. degree
    Students who receive information that they do not meet the definition listed above have the right to appeal that decision. Please contact the Allegany College of Maryland Homeless and Foster Student Liaison (Meghan Palumbo) at mpalumbo@allegany.edu for more information on this waiver or for instructions on how to appeal a decision.

Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program

This scholarship benefits members of the following groups or their surviving dependents (including stepchildren) or their surviving spouse (who has remarried) disabled or deceased Veterans, Vietnam War POW/MIAs, disabled or deceased public safety employees and volunteers, and 9/11 victims. Click link below for specific eligibility requirements. The deadline for this scholarship is July 15th and applications should be turned into the Student Financial Aid Office at ACM. The award amount varies, depending on the amount of your cost of attendance and other financial aid resources.

Deadline is July 15 for applications to be turned into our Student Financial Aid Office.
- Conroy® and Cryor Criteria
- Conroy® and Cryor application
You must complete the FAFSA before March 1, and log on to MD Caps to accept State of Maryland awards.

Visit MHEC’s website for a complete list of grants, scholarships, criteria and applications.

Students may now submit documentation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) as required for certain state grant/scholarship programs, online through their Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) account. "How do I upload my documents in MDCAPS?"

PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS

If you reside in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers the Pennsylvania State Grant program

You must complete your FAFSA by May 1.
Take at least 50% of their total semester credits in an in-classroom setting.

If you attend our Bedford County Campus for at least 50% of your total credits versus attending our Cumberland campus, you will receive a larger grant award.

Visit PHEAA’s website for additional program requirements. Summer PA State Grants require a separate application.

For questions on all PA State Grant programs, please email Holly Montana at hmontana@allegany.edu.

WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENTS

If you reside in Washington, D.C., you may be eligible to receive grants from:

You are also eligible to use funds from DC GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) if you were a participant.

If you were adopted through District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency and/or lost one or both of your parents in 9/11 terrorist attacks, you may be eligible for a D.C. Adoption Scholarship. Information available in the Student Financial Aid Office.

View the detailed information sheet here.

WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENTS

If you live in West Virginia, you may be eligible to use funds from WV GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) if you were a participant.

Loans

Unlike grants, you must repay federal and private loans.

FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS
The Federal Direct Student Loan program provides low-interest loans to enable dependent students to borrow up to $5,500 as a freshman and $6,500 as a sophomore. If your parent has been denied a Parent PLUS Loan, you are eligible to borrow an additional $4000 in unsubsidized loan funds. As an independent student, you may borrow up to $9,500 as a freshman and $10,500 as a sophomore.
These Federal Stafford Loans may be:

Subsidized Loans that are awarded on the basis of need. For qualified applicants, the federal government pays the interest on your loans until you finish college, cease enrollment, and/or choose an authorized period of deferment.
Unsubsidized Loans are awarded without regard to need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. You may pay the interest while in school or during a period of deferment or forbearance, or may allow interest to accrue (or accumulate) and be added to the principal amount of the loan.

Before an award is made, Federal Student Loans require you to: have your complete financial aid file finalized for the academic year, enroll in six Title IV-eligible credits, provide a valid/recent Master Promissory Note, and complete Entrance Counseling.

You may cancel or change your requested loan amount at any time during the academic year. Learn more.

FEDERAL DIRECT PARENT "PLUS" LOANS
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program allows parents to borrow funds to assist with their dependent student’s education. Parents may borrow up to your estimated cost of attendance minus any financial aid. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan refunds are mailed directly to parent borrowers

REQUIREMENTS: Parents must have a FSA ID that is different than their dependent child’s FSA ID. Learn more.

PRIVATE/ALTERNATIVE LOANS
We encourage you to apply for Federal Direct Loans before applying for a Private or Alternative Loan. The Federal Direct Loan Program’s terms and conditions (interest rate, interest accrual, fees, repayment terms, and deferment policies) are more favorable than those of a Private or Alternative Loan; and some private loans require you to make interest payments while in school.

While ACM does not have a preferred lender arrangement, some comparative information on Private or Alternative Loans can be found here. We will process your private loan request with any private lender that you choose.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work-Study is a way for you to earn money to help pay for education expenses.

The program provides part-time employment for students with financial need and academic excellence. Number of awarded hours and pay rate vary. At a minimum, you will earn the federal minimum wage.

Our Federal Work-Study Handbook for Students and Supervisors explains the program.

Keypoints:

Must have a complete and verified financial aid file
Must have a final high school transcript/GED on file in the Admissions Office
Must be a registered student
Apply for the Summer Work-Study Application (May-August) during the months of April and May using applications found in the Student Financial Aid Office
Watch for Work-Study announcements on our website and social media, and through your student email

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057.

DEADLINE: Apply in early October of the year that college entry is planned.

STUDENT & CONSUMER

Information

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply?
You may apply at any time.

Priority Dates are:

March 1 for students taking fall semester courses

November 1 for students taking spring semester courses

July 1 for Willowbrook Woods residents
Do I need to be accepted to ACM before applying for Financial Aid?
No, but you must have a processed admissions application before ACM receives your FAFSA results.
What happens after I submit my FAFSA?
ACM receives FAFSA results within three to five business days. The Student Financial Aid Office will send an email outlining the next steps required to process your file to your ACM email account. Once your required documents are received, the financial aid process takes two to four weeks.
How do I know what I am eligible for?
You may view and accept your awards in Self-Service before completing your loan acceptance form. The form is available in the Student Financial Aid Office or for download on Self-Service. Federal work study positions must be accepted within fourteen days of an award.
Will I get a refund and when?
You are eligible for a financial aid refund if your tuition, fees, books, and other college charges are less than your total financial aid. Financial Aid begins paying to student accounts typically after the last day to drop a class with a refund (around 3 weeks into the semester). The Business Office will print your refund check within 14 days of the payment date – you will receive an email when it is ready. You may pick up your refund check from the Business Office or have it mailed to your home address.

Financial Aid pays at various time during the semester. Student Loans and Pell Grants are paid first at the 3 week point, followed by other types of grants and state financial aid. Students in one-semester programs will receive loan funds in two equal disbursements.

What can I do if my financial aid is terminated?
Everyone has the right to appeal a termination decision by completing an Appeal Form and an Academic Compliance Plan. Call 301-784-5206 for information about the appeal process.
What if I can’t log into Self-Service?
Contact the Help Desk at 301-784-5444 for other issues. Forms and aid status information are always available at the Student Financial Aid Office.
How do I use Financial Aid to purchase books?
Once your tuition and fees are paid, you may use remaining financial aid to purchase books from the campus bookstore. Show a valid photo ID and inform the cashier that you would like to use your financial aid for your purchase.
What about free tuition for Maryland Community Colleges?
Contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission at 410-767-3300 and ask about the Maryland Promise Scholarship.
Why is my aid amount different than I was originally shown?
If you are registered for less than 12 credits, your grant amount is probably pro-rated from your original full-time amount. Also, financial aid only covers classes needed for your specific degree so courses outside of your discipline may not be covered. Contact the Student Financial Aid Office for clarification.