JHU joins 12 other Maryland private schools in expanding financial aid for low-income students

Maryland's private colleges and universities, including Johns Hopkins, announced a new financial aid program Thursday designed to make higher education more affordable for low-income Maryland students.

Under the program, 13 member schools of the Maryland Independent College and University Association, or MICUA, will match the state's existing Guaranteed Access grants, which are awarded to low-income high school seniors in Maryland. To be eligible, students must complete a college prep program, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and meet the program's income requirements.

With the matching funds, the grant can now reach $35,000 annually and can be renewed for three years.

"Every MICUA institution is committed to providing college access to low-income students," said Roger Casey, chair of the MICUA board and president of McDaniel College. "I am pleased to join my fellow presidents in embracing this proposal and making this commitment to partner with the state to serve financially challenged and capable Maryland students."

The collaboration, called the Guaranteed Access Partnership Program, was announced Thursday in Annapolis by representatives of the Maryland Higher Education Commission and state Education Department, legislators, and officials of MICUA schools.

MICUA and its members also made a commitment to help educate families and students about the program, cooperating with MHEC and with organizations that work directly with low-income Marylanders on college access and affordability.

In addition to Johns Hopkins, the participating schools are Capitol Technology University, Goucher College, Hood College, Loyola University Maryland, Maryland Institute College of Art, McDaniel College, Mount St. Mary's University, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Stevenson University, St. John's College, Washington Adventist University, and Washington College.