How to Contact MHEC or Submit Documents for Financial Aid

Updated

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides several ways to get help with financial aid, and the right path depends on what you need. If you have a general question, start with the "Contact MHEC Staff" option on mhec.maryland.gov. If you need personalized guidance on aid, request a meeting with a financial aid specialist. If you need to send paperwork, submit required documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). For disputes about a decision, use the complaint process or appeals information also listed on the site.

Contacting MHEC Staff

The MHEC website lists Contact MHEC Staff as the entry point for general questions. Use this when you are not sure who to ask, need basic information about programs, or want to be routed to the correct office. Before you reach out, have your question specific and any relevant details ready, such as the program name or the deadline you are asking about.

Meeting With a Financial Aid Specialist

For questions that depend on your personal situation, MHEC offers the option to meet with a financial aid specialist. This is the better choice when:

  • You need help understanding which state scholarships or grants fit your circumstances.
  • You are unsure whether to use the MHEC One-App or the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA).
  • You have a problem with an existing application or award.

A specialist can walk through your options and tell you what documentation, if any, you still need to provide.

Submitting Required Documents to OSFA

When MHEC asks you for supporting paperwork, the site directs you to submit required documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). This is the office that processes state financial aid. Typical reasons you would submit documents include:

  • Verifying information on your financial aid application.
  • Responding to a request for additional records.
  • Completing steps needed before an award can be finalized.

Submit only what is requested, and keep a copy for your own records. If you are unsure whether a document is needed, confirm with MHEC staff or a financial aid specialist before sending it.

Complaints and Appeals

MHEC also publishes a complaint process and appeals information on its website. Use these if you disagree with a decision or want to raise a concern about a Maryland postsecondary institution. These are separate from routine document submission, so check the specific instructions for complaints and appeals rather than sending them through the general document route.

Quick Reference

What you need Where to go
General question or routing Contact MHEC Staff
Personalized aid guidance Meet with a financial aid specialist
Send supporting paperwork Submit required documents to OSFA
Dispute a decision or raise a concern Complaint process / Appeals

Before You Contact MHEC

A few steps make any contact more productive:

  1. Log into MDCAPS first if your question is about your application. The site notes that you log into your MDCAPS account to access the MHEC One-App, so your account is often the fastest place to check status.
  2. Check deadlines. MHEC posts important scholarship and grant deadlines, and timing affects what you can still apply for or fix.
  3. Know which application you used. Maryland uses both the MHEC One-App (through MDCAPS) and the MSFAA, so mention which one applies to you.

If your question is about a closed institution or a transcript from one, MHEC lists a separate process for requesting a transcript from a closed Maryland postsecondary institution, which is different from the financial aid document route.