MHEC is the State of Maryland's higher education coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and private colleges and universities and for-profit career schools. MHEC also administers state financial aid programs that affect students on a statewide basis. The State has an extensive array of financial aid programs in the form of grants, scholarships and other awards for students who want to further their education beyond high school.
The Senatorial Scholarship is offered to current high school seniors and full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students attending a private career school. Applicants can either be enrolled full-time (12+ credits undergraduate or 9+ credits graduate per semester) or part-time (6-11 credits undergraduate or 6-8 credits graduate per semester). Applicants must submit a FAFSA or MSFAA by March 1, and must demonstrate financial need.