Did you know that Maryland is considered one of the wealthiest states in the nation? Having the highest median household income doesn't mean that paying for college is any easier though. That's why scholarships for Maryland residents and students are a great addition to help pay for educational expenses.
If you don't currently live in Maryland, but you plan to attend one of its colleges or universities, such as Johns Hopkins University, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA),the United States Naval Academy (Anapolis), or the University of Maryland (UM), you may also be qualified for these state-specific scholarships. From Baltimore to Cumberland, Annapolis to Salisbury, if you are a resident or plan to attend school in Maryland, you could add some free college dollars to your savings, too.
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 23
Deadline
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Heritage HBCU Scholarship Award of $2,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the basis of financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. female incoming and current college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are majoring in computer, electrical, or mechanical engineering and enroll full time at select preferred schools. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher if freshmen or 3.0 or higher if not a freshman.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 21
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school juniors and seniors who participate in a mathematical modeling challenge as part of a school-based group.
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$6,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors, who have been accepted to St. Mary's College of MD and have also applied for the CollegeBound Foundation Last Dollar Grant and/or competitive awards.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for female high school seniors in Baltimore, MD. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university in the U.S.
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$45,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore who have been accepted to UMBC and the Walter Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must demonstrate an interest in public policy.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore who have verifiable community service and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a combined SAT score of 950 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American high school seniors in Baltimore, MD who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore, Maryland who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and unmet financial need. Applicants must submit an essay describing his/her career and professional aspirations.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors in Baltimore Maryland who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and verifiable community service. Students must attend a college in MD.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland high school seniors who are planning to attend a Maryland college or university. Students must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.
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$11,250
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland undergraduate and/or graduate students who are planning to attend an eligible college or university in Maryland.
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$500
Award Amount
500
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland resident undergraduate studnets who are planning to attend a private career school in Maryland. Students must enroll in 18 or more clock hours per week.
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$7,500
Award Amount
15
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are currently high school seniors at a Maryland area public high school. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, and must plan to major in the field of hotel, hospitality, tourism, restaurant management or business.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Baltimore public high school seniors who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a history of community service.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to seniors at the Carver Vocational-Technical High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a history of community service.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors attending Frederick Douglass High School, Copping Academy, or Baltimore Leadership for Young Women. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
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$1
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and verifiable community service. Students must also demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors, majoring in prelaw, social work, or a field that focuses on child advocacy. Students must also have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore City and Baltimore County who have unmet financial need and a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who have have a cumulative 3.3 grade point average or better; and have a combined SAT (critical reading and math) score of 1200 or above, or ACT score of 27 or higher. Students must also have applied and been accepted to the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors, who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and have applied to and been accepted to Towson University.
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$35,204
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are currently high school seniors at a Baltimore area public high school. Applicants must be accepted to Stevenson University and have a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors, majoring in mathematics and/or science/technology who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a competitive SAT score of 1100 or higher. Preference will be given to students who will attend University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
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Maryland is a popular place to attend college, experiencing nearly 3% growth between 2023 and 2024. That’s nearly double the national growth rate in college enrollment! Over 327,000 students attended one of Maryland’s 55 colleges and universities in 2024.
Understanding Scholarships In Maryland
Before we consider the various grants and scholarships available for going to school in Maryland, it is crucial to understand how much going to college in Maryland will cost you.
If you are a Maryland resident attending the University of Maryland, College Park as an undergraduate, you will pay tuition and fees of $ 11,809 for the 2024-25 school year. Out of state students will pay $ 41,186 to attend College Park. In-state tuition and fees to attend Towson University are nearly identical at $ 11,728. If you are a Maryland student attending University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), you’ll pay tuition and fees of $ 13,256. Out of state tuition at UMBC is considerably less than College Park at $ 31,225 in 2024-25.
If you are considering attending one of Maryland’s private colleges and universities, full tuition at John Hopkins University will set you back $ 64,730, $ 57,150 at Loyola University Maryland, or $ 58,196 at Stevenson University.
Most Maryland students are eligible for federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships that can make the cost of college much affordable. Even with generous financial aid opportunities, students often find they will still incur out of pocket costs associated with pursuing their education in Maryland. For this reason, private scholarships can play an important role for many students in keeping college costs low!
This is why applying for private scholarships like the ones on unigo.com can play a critical part in keeping college affordable!
Maryland Scholarships for College
There are many opportunities for scholarships if you are or plan to attend school in Maryland! Here are some to consider.
Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant
The Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant awarded by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). It provides up to $ 22,100 for Maryland undergraduate residents attending a qualified college or university. To be eligible, you must be under the age of 26 at the time of your first award.
Educational Assistance Grant
The Educational Assistance (EA) Grant is also a need-based grant awarded by MHEC. It provides qualified Maryland residents with up to $ 3,000 per year, for up to four years to cover educational expenses. You must currently be enrolled as a senior in high school or an eligible Maryland college or university to be eligible.
2+2 Transfer Scholarship
The 2+2 Transfer Scholarship provides Maryland community college students who intend to transfer or have transferred to an eligible 4 year college or university in Maryland, with awards of up to $ 1,000 per year, which recipients can use towards tuition and fees.
Near Completer Grant
If you are an adult learner who previously earned at least 45 credits at a community college of 90 credits at a 4 year college or university and are looking to return to school to complete your degree, you may qualify for MHEC’s Near Completer Grant. This grant is available to Maryland residents, is not need-based and will provide awards of up to 33% of your tuition at a Maryland community college or public 4 year university.
Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program
If you are interested in pursuing a professional degree in law, medicine, dentistry, social work, or pharmacy, you may be eligible to apply for the MHEC Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program. Awards between $ 1,000 and $ 5,000 per year are available to eligible students that demonstrate financial need. This scholarship can be used at eligible institutions as determined by MHEC.
Maryland Tuition Waiver Programs
Maryland offers various programs that can completely waive tuition and fees at eligible Maryland community colleges and public universities. Waivers are available for eligible students who were in foster care, experienced homelessness, have certain disabilities, or are members of the Maryland National Guard.
Institutional Grants and Scholarships for Maryland’s Colleges and Universities
Most colleges and universities in Maryland offer students scholarships and institutional grants to supplement federal and state financial aid programs. Institutional awards vary in size They can be need-based, merit-based, or a combination thereof. These types of grants and scholarships are designed to attract students by making the complete cost of education including tuition and fees, books, room and board, and other educational-related expenses more affordable for students.
Federal Grants
Students in Maryland who come from lower income households may qualify for federal grants such as the Pell Grant, with a maximum award for 2024-25 of $ 7,395. Pell and other federal grants are need-based and do not require repayment so they can make a big difference in keeping education costs low!
Private Scholarships in Maryland
Maryland has many generous state-based financial aid programs. These programs along with federal financial aid programs and institutional aid can make a big difference in making college more affordable. At the same time, eligibility for federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships is not guaranteed. While many students do qualify for government and institutional aid programs, many students will still experience a gap between the aid packages they receive and the cost of attendance. This is where private scholarships can be a big source of support and why all students should consider applying for private scholarships. Here are some of the most popular Maryland private scholarship programs to consider:
Maryland BOOST Scholarship Coalition
The College Bound Scholarship
Generation Hope Scholarship
Kids’ Chance of Maryland
Maryland Space Grant Consortium
Polish Heritage Foundation
SECU Members Scholarship
Central Scholarship Bureau
Private scholarships vary in criteria and eligibility, offering opportunities for students pursuing a college education at colleges and universities in Maryland and across the United States. You should plan to apply broadly for as many private scholarships as you may qualify. Websites like unigo.com provide comprehensive listings and application details for many private scholarships.
Scholarships for Adult and Graduate Students
Several of Maryland’s state financial aid programs including the Near Completer Grant are designed to support adult learners or the Graduate and Professional Scholarship, which provides awards for certain professional students in graduate school. If you are a graduate student in Maryland, both private and public colleges and universities may offer institutional grants and scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities that can make earning a graduate degree possible.
Tips for Maryland Students for Applying for Scholarships and Grants
There is a lot of money available for Maryland students to help make college more affordable, Since a good number of Maryland students rely heavily on grants and scholarships to attend school, scholarships and grants can be competitive. By strategically applying for as many scholarships and grants as possible, you will increase your chances of being awarded scholarships and grants that can make your college dreams within reach! The right strategy also makes all the difference. Here are some tips to live by!
- Start Early: Many scholarships and grants have deadlines well before the academic year starts. Some scholarships can be applied for even before your senior year in high school! It’s never too soon to begin your search and apply for scholarships.
- Be Organized: Keep track of deadlines, required documents, and application requirements. Using a spreadsheet or calendar can help you manage your scholarship and grant applications like a pro!
- Personalized Approach: Make sure and personalize your essays and applications to align with the specific criteria and mission of each scholarship or grant you are applying for.
- Get Recommendations: Ask your teachers, counselors, church leaders, or community leaders for letters of recommendation.These letters can really help you standout from other scholarship applicants. It is important to ask for these letters as early as possible as other students may also be asking for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, etc.
- Showcase Achievements: Make sure to highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, missions, community service, and future plans.
- Complete the FAFSA: The majority of Maryland’s state financial aid programs offered by MHEC as well as grants awarded by colleges and universities will require you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to be considered for funding. Since you will also need to complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for any federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, you should plan to submit your FAFSA as soon as you can. We strongly recommend you complete and submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.
Should I take out student loans?
Taking out student loans to cover your educational expenses is a decision that requires careful thought and consideration. Loans must be repaid and accrue interest until they are paid. That’s why scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid are always preferable! Student loans are available through the federal government as well as private student loan providers. Loans you receive from the federal government will typically have more favorable terms as it relates to repayment and the amount of interest you will pay to borrow.
While they require repayment, student loans when used responsibly can provide an important lifeline for covering the cost of college for Maryland’s students. Even if you receive scholarships and grants, you may find you still have out of pocket costs associated with your education. Student loans are one way to address these costs.
Getting a college degree in Maryland is within every student’s reach! Applying for all available scholarships and grants can make a big difference in you being able to achieve your educational goals without breaking the bank!
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List