..The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) Program is for students who plan on working in specific career or occupational programs upon graduation. Eligible fields include child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service. 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. For students applying based on need, they may file the FAFSA for the academic year the student will be attending. The FAFSA is not required; however, it will be used to determine the order in which students will be awarded. Certain majors may require additional documentation, which will be noted on the application. Applicants must be a Maryland resident. If they are a dependent student, their parent must also be a Maryland resident. The award may be automatically renewed for up to a maximum of five years. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission for more information.