2018 Tax Credit - Student Loan Debt Relief from the Maryland Higher Education Commission

Who is eligible to receive the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit?

The tax credit will be available to Maryland taxpayers who:

1. File Maryland State Income Taxes for the tax year;

2. Have incurred at least $20,000 undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt;

3. Have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt remaining when applying for the tax credit;

4.  Have completed and submitted an application to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by September 15, 2018; and

5.  Have submitted all required graduate and/or undergraduate student loan information, including Maryland Income Tax Information and college transcripts.

How to Apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

To download the application, ​or Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Application 2018.pdf​​

If you have questions, please view the Frequently Asked Questions 2018.pdf for more information.

*Please be reminded that this is not a check, but rather a tax credit on your 2018 Maryland Taxes.

​​​​​​​​Proof of Payment to Lender

Upon receiving the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit for 2018, each recipient must use the credit within two years to pay down the balance of the student loan debt.  Failure to do so will result in recapture of credit back by the State.​

Recipients of the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit have two option for debt repayment:

(1) Make a one-time payment for the amount of your tax credit to the lender, or

(2) Make monthly payments to the lender until the amount of the tax credit is paid to the lender

Providing Documentation of Proof of Payment:

(1) One-time payment - A copy of transaction log from the lender providing proof that amount was paid to the lender

(2) Monthly Payments - A copy of transaction log from the lender showing monthly payments totaling the amount of the credit

Mail All Proof of Payments to:

Maryland Higher Education Commission

Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit

6 N. Liberty Street, 10th floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

PLEASE PROVIDE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH PROOF OF PAYMENT. Upon receiving documentation, a confirmation email will be sent.

For more information, call Mr. Thomas Mason at 410-767-7266 or Mr. Anthony Reiner 410-767-3087.