Financial Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grants

Awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Prorated awards may be made to eligible part-time students. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Awarded to undergraduate students with the greatest demonstrated financial need. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Hood Grants

Awarded to full-time undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. Funding is limited. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Work Study Program

This federally-funded need-based employment program enables eligible undergraduate students to earn money for miscellaneous expenses while gaining practical experience in on- and off-campus jobs.

Campus Employment

Awarded to students who are not eligible for federal work-study. Funded and administered by Hood College. Limited number of positions are available.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

A need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate and graduate students. The interest rate is fixed. No interest accrues and generally no payments are due while a student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Repayment generally begins six months after the student’s enrollment status drops below half-time.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Direct Loan

A non-need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate students. The interest rate is fixed. The six-month deferment applies only to repayment on the principal. Interest accrues when the loan is disbursed. Students are mailed quarterly interest statements at which time they may elect to pay the interest.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

Parents may borrow up to the cost of education, minus any financial aid received, for each dependent undergraduate student. The interest rate is fixed. Repayment on principle and interest begins when the loan is disbursed, however deferment options are available.

Maryland State Scholarship Program

The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers several need-based scholarships and grants for Maryland residents. The scholarships and grants most frequently awarded to Hood students include, but are not limited to, the Educational Assistance Grant, the Guaranteed Access Grant, Senatorial Scholarship and Delegate Scholarship. 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. Please check with the Maryland Higher Education Commission-Student Financial Assistance at 800-974-0203 or www.mhec.state.md.us.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

Hood College serves as a liaison/informational resource to veterans by providing Veterans Administration forms and certifying military students for benefits. To initiate or continue benefits, veterans must contact the Office of Financial Aid, 301-696-3411, at the beginning of each semester to complete the required paperwork, in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the Office of Financial Aid and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Information and application forms may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.