The Student Financial Aid Office is located in the College Center, Room CC‑138. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Summer hours (June through August) are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students may also email studentfinancialaid@allegany.edu or call 301-784-5213 for assistance from a member of the Financial Aid Team. More than 86% of all students enrolled at ACM receive financial aid. Last year, Allegany College of Maryland disbursed more than $19 million from local, state, and federal programs.
Financial aid consists of funds provided to students and families to help pay for
college expenses. To apply for federal student aid, the first step is to apply for
admission at ACM. Next, students must complete and submit the FAFSA each year. The
FAFSA is a free application for federal student aid and can be completed online at
https://studentaid.gov/ . Lastly, monitor your ACM student email account for updates. ACM’s priority application
date is March 1.
Financial aid offices use information from the FAFSA to determine if a student is
eligible to receive federal grants, loans, or work-study funds. States and schools
also use the information from the FAFSA to determine whether a student may qualify
for additional aid. The ACM FAFSA Federal School Code is 002057.
For detailed information concerning financial aid options, please visit the Allegany College of Maryland Student Financial Aid webpage at https://www.allegany.edu/financial-aid/index.html
Allegany College of Maryland Grant (ACM GRANT): ACM Grants are institutional funds awarded by the Student Financial Aid Office to students showing high financial need. Students must complete a FAFSA and enroll for a minimum of 6 credits per semester for consideration.
Federal Financial Aid Programs: Federal financial aid programs offered at ACM include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, and Federal Direct Student and Parent Loans. Complete the FAFSA to apply. To complete the FAFSA application, and for additional information on all federal student aid programs, including required loan documents, go to https://studentaid.gov/
Student Work-Study Program: The Work-Study program provides students with part-time employment opportunities. This is a need-based program awarded to eligible students who file their FAFSA form early. Contact the Financial Aid Office to apply.
Maryland State Scholarship/Grant Programs: Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to eligible Maryland residents. The deadline for filing the FAFSA is March 1 for the upcoming academic year. Additional information may be obtained by calling 1-800-974-0203 or by visiting https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx
Maryland State Scholarships Include:
- Guaranteed Access Grant
- Educational Assistance Grant
- Campus-Based Educational Assistance Grant
- Part-Time Grant
- Delegate Scholarship
- Senatorial Scholarship
MARYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship creates opportunities for students to attend one of Maryland’s public community colleges by providing tuition assistance for any student eligible for in-state tuition, up to $5,000. As a “last dollar” scholarship, it covers any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other grants and scholarships are applied. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Complete the FAFSA by March 1 to apply.
EDWARD T. AND MARY A. CONROY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: this scholarship provides student financial assistance to certain Maryland residents
due to their eligible military or public safety service or due to their eligible family
or marital relationship to such an individual. Visit https://www.allegany.edu/financial-aid/documents/2025-26-Conroy-Scholarship-Application.pdf to apply. Application Deadline: July 15
JEAN B. CRYOR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: this scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible children and surviving spouses of school employees who, either died or sustained an injury that rendered the school employee 100 percent disabled, as a victim in an act of violence occurring in the line of duty. Visit https://www.allegany.edu/financial-aid/documents/2025-26-Conroy-Scholarship-Application.pdf to apply. Application Deadline: July 15
PENNSYLVANIA STATE GRANT PROGRAM: Administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to eligible Pennsylvania residents. Complete the FAFSA by May 1 to apply. Additional information may be obtained by calling 1-800-692-7392 or by visiting https://www.pheaa.org/grants/state-grant-program
- Students enrolled in more online courses than in-classroom courses will not be eligible to receive PA State Grant funds. For hybrid or blended courses to count as in-classroom, the online instruction component must not exceed 50% of the combined contact hours. Eligibility requirements are available at https://www.pheaa.org/grants/state-grant-program/prepare
GROW PA GRANT PROGRAM: Communities across Pennsylvania are facing a growing workforce crisis in certain in-demand occupations. The Pennsylvania General Assembly established the Grow PA Grant Program in 2024 to help build the workforce. Additional information and a list of approved programs is available online at https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/grow-pa-scholarship-grant-program
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT: Students who are residents of the District of Columbia may qualify for financial
assistance through the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG). Students must apply using
the D.C. OneApp at https://dconeapp.dc.gov/ The application opens February 1 and must be filed by June 30 each year.
Financial aid policies are subject to change in accordance with federal and state
regulations.
ADMISSION STATUS: Only students classified as “degree-seeking” or “certificate-seeking” are eligible
for financial aid, except for the General Studies and Spanish Certificate programs,
which are not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid. “Non-degree” students,
such as Early College, Transient, or Letter of Recognition students, are not eligible
for financial assistance.
CONTINUING EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COURSES: Continuing Education courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. For information about available programs and financial assistance, contact the Continuing Education and Workforce Development division at 301-784-5365.
AUDITED COURSES: Audited courses cannot be paid for with financial aid funds.
REMEDIAL COURSEWORK: Financial aid can only be received for a maximum of one year (30 credit hours) of remedial coursework. Grades for remedial courses are calculated as part of the cumulative GPA for qualitative measurement; however, remedial credits do not count toward the 67% completion rate or maximum aid time criteria.
REPEATING CLASSES: Federal student aid funds can only be used to pay for one repeat of a previously passed course (grade of “D” or higher). This regulation applies even if ACM’s academic policy allows some courses to be repeated for credit up to three times. Failed classes may be repeated and paid for indefinitely. Attempts made during semesters without federal financial aid are not counted under this rule.
DISBURSEMENT: Financial aid funds will be disbursed to students’ accounts after the “Last Day for 80% Refund” each semester, once all required steps have been completed, and attendance has been confirmed. Any remaining funds after tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and bookstore charges (if applicable) have been paid will be refunded to the student by the Business Office. Students will receive an email when the refund check is available, typically within two weeks of disbursement.
REQUIREMENT FOR THE RETURN OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID: The Financial Aid Office is required by federal statute to recalculate aid eligibility for students who withdraw (officially or unofficially), drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence before completing 60% of the semester. Students are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing.
OVERAWARDS: Students may not receive federal financial assistance exceeding their financial need, defined as the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) and expected family contribution (EFC). Overawards will be adjusted or reduced, and students are responsible for repayment. Students may not receive federal aid at two institutions simultaneously during the same term.
DEGREE AUDIT: Financial aid can only pay for courses that meet program graduation requirements. Non-required courses will not count toward enrollment status for financial aid purposes.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS FOR FINANCIAL AID: Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive financial aid. A copy of the policy is available from the Student Financial Aid Office or online at https://www.allegany.edu/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress.html
CODE OF CONDUCT: The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires ACM to adhere to a Student Financial Aid Code of Conduct prohibiting conflicts of interest between ACM staff and any lender, servicer, or guarantor. View the code at https://www.allegany.edu/financial-aid/student-consumer-information.html
NON-DISCRIMINATORY STATEMENT: The Student Financial Aid Office offers free counseling services to all who request help. All students attending ACM are awarded all financial aid for which they are eligible. Students have the right to cancel or decline any financial aid award. ACM does not discriminate based on curriculum, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, veteran status, or citizenship status (except as permitted or mandated by federal law).
