The MHEC Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program is for students who plan on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation. Eligible fields include child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service. Applicants must be a Maryland resident. If they are a dependent student, their parents must also be a Maryland resident. Both merit and need-based criteria will be used when making awards. Applicants will be ranked by Grade Point Average (GPA) and then by need within each occupational field. Those students with the greatest need within each GPA range will be awarded first. To determine a student's merit ranking, transcripts will be required. To determine the GPA ranking of students, a cumulative, unweighted GPA will be used. If necessary, GPAs will be recalculated to be considered on a standardized 4.0 scale. To determine a student's need ranking, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed by the applicant and received by OSFA; however, it is not mandatory to file the FAFSA to be eligible to receive an award. The award will be automatically renewed for up to a maximum of five years as long as the student continues to meet all the eligibility requirements and maintain the satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution they are attending. Please visit the award's website or contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission for more information.