Maryland benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Maryland's name for SNAP, run by Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

Maryland DHS has a page for students in higher education. Students enrolled half-time or more need one exception (for example: working 20+ hours a week on average, approved for federal work study even before the job starts, caring for a child under 6, a single full-time parent of a child under 12, receiving Temporary Cash Assistance, or being in SNAP Employment and Training). Students below half-time, or in remedial, continuing education, professional development or ESL courses, are not treated as students. Meal plans covering more than 10 meals a week make a student ineligible. Out-of-state students living in Maryland for the school year can get Maryland SNAP. Students 21 or younger who live with their parents must include them.

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) · Maryland's page for students

Health coverage: Maryland Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance)

Maryland has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for Maryland Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance)

Child care help: Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. To be eligible you must be a Maryland resident who is working, in an approved training program, or attending school. If both parents live in the home, both must meet the rules. You must send proof of enrollment and verification of school or training attendance with days and hours.

Apply for Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

We found no extra state Lifeline discount on Maryland's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

Everyone who qualifies for the federal EITC qualifies for the Maryland EITC, and Maryland also covers ITIN filers and childless adults aged 18-24 who can't get the federal credit; you must file a Maryland return to claim it. Maryland Tax Connect, the Comptroller's online portal (it replaced iFile), lets individuals file their Maryland income tax return online for free. The Comptroller's branch offices and VITA sites also offer free tax preparation help.

Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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