{"status":200,"message":"Success","data":{"id":"dd954f86-c6af-58f2-83cd-47fcd02d3cf2","title":"Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) Program","description":"The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) Program provides financial assistance to Maryland resident students who plan to work in specific workforce shortage fields upon graduation. Eligible fields include child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, law, and public service. Award amounts depend on the type of institution attended and the student's enrollment status, and are based on a combination of academic merit (GPA) and financial need. Awards are renewable for up to five years provided eligibility requirements and satisfactory academic progress are maintained. Recipients must sign a promissory note and fulfill a service obligation in their eligible employment field within one year of completing their degree, working in Maryland at a rate of one year per year of scholarship received (full-time) or two years per year of scholarship received (part-time). Grant converts to a repayable loan with interest if the service obligation is not fulfilled. All awards are subject to availability of funding.","status":{"value":"closed","description":"Closed Oct 31, 2026"},"source":"https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/24-25-WSSAG.aspx","funding":{"details":"Annual grant awards based on institution type and enrollment status. Community college students receive $2,000 per year full-time (12+ credits/semester) or $1,000 per year part-time (6–11 credits/semester). Four-year institution students receive $4,000 per year full-time or $2,000 per year part-time (undergraduate: 12+ credits/semester full-time; graduate: 9+ credits/semester full-time; part-time: 6–11 credits/semester undergraduate, 6–8 credits/semester graduate). Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year and are automatically renewed for up to five years if eligibility requirements and satisfactory academic progress are maintained. All awards are subject to availability of funding. Recipients must sign a promissory note agreeing to fulfill a service obligation (one year of full-time work at 35+ hrs/week, or two years of part-time work at 20+ hrs/week, for each year of scholarship received) in their eligible field in Maryland within one year of completing their degree. Grant converts to a repayable loan with interest if service obligation is not fulfilled.","minAwardAmount":{"amount":"1000.00","currency":"USD"},"maxAwardAmount":{"amount":"4000.00","currency":"USD"}},"keyDates":{"closeDate":{"name":"Application deadline","eventType":"singleDate","date":"2026-10-31","details":"October 31, 2026 (FY 2026-2027 academic year)"}},"acceptedApplicantTypes":[{"value":"individual"}],"customFields":{"agency":{"name":"agency","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Maryland Higher Education Commission"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/agency"},"contactInfo":{"name":"contactInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"email":"osfamail.mhec@maryland.gov","phone":"(410) 767-3300; (800) 974-0203; TTY: (800) 735-225"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/contactInfo"},"additionalInfo":{"name":"additionalInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"url":"https://compass.maryland.gov/incentives/#/incentive/workforce-shortage-student-assistance-grant-wssag-program","description":"Maryland Community Compass record"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/additionalInfo"},"eligibilityCriteria":{"name":"eligibilityCriteria","fieldType":"object","value":{"beneficiaryTypes":[{"code":"individuals","name":"individuals"}],"details":"Maryland resident undergraduate and graduate students (including high school seniors) enrolled or planning to enroll at least half-time in a degree program at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university, pursuing eligible majors in workforce shortage fields such as child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, law, and public service, who plan to work in those fields in Maryland after graduation.\n\nApplicants must be Maryland residents enrolled at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university. Dependent students' parents must also be Maryland residents. Recipients must work in Maryland after graduation to fulfill service obligations."},"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"attachments":{"name":"attachments","fieldType":"array","value":[{"downloadUrl":"http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG/2026-2027%20WSSAG%20Conditions%20of%20Award%20%26%20Service%20Obli.pdf","name":"2026-2027 WSSAG Conditions of Award & Service Obli.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202026-2027%20Updated%208.12.2026.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2026-2027 Updated 8.12.2026.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/24-25-WSSAG/2025-2026%20WSSAG%20Conditions%20of%20Award%20%26%20Service%20Obli.pdf","name":"2025-2026 WSSAG Conditions of Award & Service Obli.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/24-25-WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202025-2026.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2025-2026.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/24-25-WSSAG/2025-2026%20WSSAG%20Conditions%20of%20Award%20%26%20Service%20Obli.pdf","name":"2025-2026 WSSAG Conditions of Award & Service Obli.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/24-25-WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202025-2026.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2025-2026.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/24-25-WSSAG/2025-2026%20WSSAG%20Conditions%20of%20Award%20%26%20Service%20Obli.pdf","name":"2025-2026 WSSAG Conditions of Award & Service Obli.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/24-25-WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202025-2026.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2025-2026.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://www.mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202026-2027.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2026-2027.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG/2026-2027%20WSSAG%20Conditions%20of%20Award%20%26%20Service%20Obli.pdf","name":"2026-2027 WSSAG Conditions of Award & Service Obli.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202026-2027.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2026-2027.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/SiteAssets/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG/WSSAG%20FAQ%20FY%202026-2027%20Updated%208.12.2026.pdf","name":"WSSAG FAQ FY 2026-2027 Updated 8.12.2026.pdf"}],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingSource":{"name":"fundingSource","fieldType":"string","value":"Public","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingInstrument":{"name":"fundingInstrument","fieldType":"string","value":"grant","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"lastSyncedAt":{"name":"lastSyncedAt","fieldType":"string","value":"2026-10-17T08:01:01.965Z","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdCompassId":{"name":"mdCompassId","fieldType":"number","value":1591,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSlug":{"name":"mdSlug","fieldType":"string","value":"workforce-shortage-student-assistance-grant-wssag-program","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdDataQuality":{"name":"mdDataQuality","fieldType":"string","value":"high","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdGeographicScope":{"name":"mdGeographicScope","fieldType":"string","value":"statewide","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAcceptingApplications":{"name":"mdAcceptingApplications","fieldType":"boolean","value":true,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRecurring":{"name":"mdRecurring","fieldType":"boolean","value":true,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAssistanceTypes":{"name":"mdAssistanceTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["grant"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleIndustries":{"name":"mdEligibleIndustries","fieldType":"array","value":["Child Care Services","Educational Services","Health Care and Social Assistance"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleCounties":{"name":"mdEligibleCounties","fieldType":"array","value":["All"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes":{"name":"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["individuals"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdApplicationDeadlineRaw":{"name":"mdApplicationDeadlineRaw","fieldType":"string","value":"October 31, 2026 (FY 2026-2027 academic year)","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdApplicationProcess":{"name":"mdApplicationProcess","fieldType":"string","value":"Submit the online application through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) using the MHEC One App at mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us. 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Recipients must work in Maryland after graduation to fulfill service obligations.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRequirements":{"name":"mdRequirements","fieldType":"array","value":["Be a Maryland resident (dependent students' parents must also be Maryland residents)","Enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university","Be a degree-seeking student in an eligible major leading to employment in an eligible workforce shortage field","Enroll full-time (12+ credits/semester for undergrad; 9+ credits/semester for grad) or part-time (6–11 credits/semester for undergrad; 6–8 credits/semester for grad)","Students enrolled for fewer than 6 credits must earn at least 12 credit hours per academic year (undergraduate) or 9 credit hours (graduate)","Undergraduate students must earn at least 12 credit hours per academic year (including summer); graduate students must earn at least 9 credit hours per academic year","Maintain satisfactory academic progress standards of your institution","File FAFSA if seeking need-based ranking (not required for eligibility; applicants without FAFSA are assumed to have zero financial need)","Sign and return a promissory note agreeing to fulfill a service obligation in the eligible employment field within one year of completing the degree (1 year full-time at 35+ hrs/week or 2 years part-time at 20+ hrs/week per award year received)","Must not be currently receiving a former MHEC career/occupational program award (Child Care Provider; Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Child Welfare, and Juvenile Justice Workforce Tuition Assistance Program)","Submit online application through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) using the MHEC One App; all supporting documents must be received by the applicable deadline (faxed documents not accepted; electronic file upload only)","Remain drug-free (drug-free pledge required)","GPA transcripts required to determine merit ranking (cumulative GPA recalculated to 4.0 scale; five tiers: 3.8–4.0, 3.6–3.79, 3.4–3.59, 3.0–3.39, and below 3.0)","Nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy students must submit a departmental acceptance letter (no exceptions)","Official transcripts from all institutions attended required (high school transcripts for entering freshmen; 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