What College Planning and Transfer Resources Does MHEC Offer?

Updated

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) website, mhec.maryland.gov, serves as a central hub for students and families navigating college planning, financial aid, and transfer between Maryland institutions. The resources most relevant to college planning and transfer include the Student Guide to Transfer Among Maryland Colleges & Universities, information for parents and students considering college, career and workforce education preparation, and tools for finding graduate schools or degree programs. These resources are available to anyone exploring higher education options in Maryland, though some linked applications require a MDCAPS account.

Transferring Between Maryland Colleges and Universities

MHEC publishes a Student Guide to Transfer Among Maryland Colleges & Universities, which addresses the process of moving credits and enrollment from one Maryland institution to another. This is listed under the "Going to College?" section of the site, alongside general college-planning information.

The guide is aimed at students who are already enrolled or planning to enroll in a Maryland college or university and want to understand how transfer works within the state system. It sits next to related resources such as the Maryland State Plan for Higher Education and academic program review information, which provide broader context on how institutions and programs are structured.

Information for Parents and Students Considering College

Under the heading "Going to College? Important Information for Parents and Students to Consider," MHEC groups several planning resources:

  • Maryland colleges and universities — an entry point for exploring institutions in the state.
  • Private career schools — information on non-degree-granting or career-focused institutions.
  • Applying for financial aid — links to the aid application process.
  • Cost to go to college — guidance on expenses.
  • Career and Workforce Education — preparation resources for career-oriented paths.
  • Prepare for Your College Experience — general readiness material.

These items are presented together so that families can move from choosing an institution to understanding cost, aid, and preparation in one place.

Financial Aid and the MHEC One-App

A significant portion of the site is dedicated to paying for college. The MHEC One-App is described as a single application for all State scholarships, accessed by creating a MDCAPS account. Related resources include:

  • Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA)
  • Maryland College Aid Processing Portal (MDCAPS)
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Students Experiencing Homelessness (Financial Aid Information)
  • Academic Common Market

The site also lists Important Scholarship & Grant Deadlines and a High school GPA Upload Tool under notifications and internal processes. Note that accessing the One-App requires logging into MDCAPS; the site does not state that these applications are available without an account.

Career, Workforce, and Graduate School Resources

Beyond undergraduate planning, MHEC provides:

  • Career and Workforce Education — preparation for college and career paths.
  • Find a graduate school or degree — a resource for locating graduate programs.
  • After Graduation — including Pay Off Student Loan Debt, the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Program, and Loan Assistant Repayment Programs.

These sections extend the site's scope from initial college planning through graduate study and post-graduation loan management.

Getting Help and Additional Support

The site lists several ways to get assistance:

  • Contact MHEC Staff
  • Meet with a financial aid specialist
  • Submit required documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)
  • Request a Transcript from a CLOSED Maryland Postsecondary Institution
  • List of Closed Postsecondary Institutions

It also covers Title IX Procedures, a Complaint Process, and Appeals, which are relevant if a student encounters issues with an institution.

What to Expect When Using the Site

The MHEC homepage organizes resources into sections labeled Section1, Section2, and Section3, with the main content in Section1 (Left_Content) and Section2 (Center_Content). The site notes that "The current browser does not support Web pages" in one content area, which suggests some interactive elements may require a modern browser. The MDCAPS login is required for the One-App and certain financial aid functions, but the informational guides and resource lists appear accessible without an account.