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.
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students must submit an essay describing an obstacle they have overcome in the pursuit of higher education.
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$5,500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Maryland who have work experience in a restaurant and plans to pursue higher education in hospitality or culinary arts.
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$19,400
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland high school seniors who will complete a college prepatory program and are planning to attend college an eligible college or university in Maryland. Students must meet specific family income requirements and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,250
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore, MD who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Preference will be given to students who are active in athletics or other extracurricular activities, as well as students at Heritage High School.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore, MD who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and documented community service. Applicants must be accepted to and enroll at a four-year college or university in Maryland.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
The Janosik Family Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors in Sussex or Kent Co. in Delaware or Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset or Dorchester Co. in MD.
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$1,812
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 26
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who reside in Maryland. Students must submit an essay on the current year's topic to be considered.
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$1,250
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for full-time graduate and undergraduate students involved in the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) or of Greek heritage. Applicants must major in engineering, medical studies, or nursing and must be a resident of Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Deleware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or Washington, D.C..
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
HBCUConnect.com encourages minority students from all around the nation to pursue bachelors degrees at U.S. historically black colleges and universities. Applicants must be minority graduating high school seniors, transfer, or full time undergraduate students attending historically black college or university.
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$35,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. students residing in District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia who plan to attend a public college or university. Applicants must have immigrated to the U.S. since birth, or have two parents who were both immigrants.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 4
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. students who are licensed radio amateurs (novice class or higher) pursuing a bachelor of science degree in any field of engineering. Students must reside in North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia; students must demonstrate financial need.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship program is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled full time in a hospitality management degree-granting program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (with the exception of the Conrad Hilton Fund, which accepts students with grade point averages of 2.0 or higher).
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$14,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
The Mid-Atlantic STA Foundation offers scholarships worth $14,000. Two $2,000 scholarships for high school seniors and two $5,000 college/university scholarships.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to international and U.S. students who are in their final two years of undergraduate study or are in graduate programs at a LAAB-accredited institution. Students must be studying landscape architecture with a demonstrated interest and aptitude in the design of play environments.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is for international and U.S. students who are in their final year of full-time undergraduate study in landscape architecture at a LAAB-accredited institution. Applicants must show a proven contribution to the design of public spaces that integrates landscape design and the use of amenities to promote social interaction.
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$20,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are in their third, fourth, or fifth year of undergraduate study in landscape architecture at a LAAB-accredited institution. Students must be members of ASLA and demonstrate financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and International students who are planning to attend Louisiana Tech University as an out-of-state transfer student. Students must have complete at least 12 semester hours of college credit and have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen who are not residents of Kentucky and demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. Students must attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$1,800,000
Award Amount
400
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
University of Maryland offers Dean’s Scholarships which are annual merit awards ranging from $1,500 for freshman year or $4,500 per year for both freshman and sophomore years. Each fall, roughly 400 new recipients of the Dean’s Scholarship are welcomed to campus. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for female U.S. college sophomores and juniors who major in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, software engineering, or systems engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and attend select institutions as listed on the SWE website.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Jewish residents of Maryland who are majoring in education with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate commitment to Jewish life, culture, and study.
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$1,050
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are reside in an eligible Southern state. Applicants must major in nursing and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. graduate students who are residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland, or northern Virginia and who are currently attending Howard University in Washington, D.C. Students must be members of both the District of Columbia Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association and be pursuing a career in occupational therapy.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate or graduate students who have a current or permanent address that is located in one of the following states or plan to move to one of these states prior to March 1 of the year in which the application is made: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, or North Carolina.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 17
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who reside within 50 miles of a Simon® property. Students must plan to enroll full time in an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school in the upcoming fall semester, and must demonstrate academic promise and financial need.
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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