Maryland Scholarships for College Students

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✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

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.

List of Maryland Scholarships in 2024

Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial & Jean. B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program

$6,143 Award Amount

140 Awards

Jul 15 Deadline

This award is available to Maryland students who are planning to enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university. The student must be a: dependent of a deceased or disabled veteran; disabled veteran; dependent of a victim of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; veteran or dependent of a veteran who was declared POW/MIA in Vietnam; dependent of a deceased or disabled state/local public safety employee/volunteer; deceased or disabled state/local public safety employee/volunteer; or dependent of a school employee who died or was disabled in the line of duty.

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Maryland Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant

$3,001 Award Amount

379 Awards

Jul 1 Deadline

The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) program is for students who plan on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation. Eligible fields include: child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service.

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LITA/LSSI Minority Scholarship in Library and Information Technology

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

U.S. and Canadian citizens who will have earned no more than 12 hours towards a Master of Library Science degree by June of the award year are eligible for this award. Students must be members of a principal minority group; attend an ALA-accredited school; and plan to enter the library automation field.

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SERC Endowment Scholarship

$775 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 1 Deadline

This award is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of an eligible Southern state. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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BHD Endowed Scholarship Fund for Teachers

$2,500 Award Amount

10 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This award is available for permanent residents of Maryland with an interest in a teaching career. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree in the liberal arts, sciences or mathematics and be pursuing a master's degree in education.

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Letitia B. Carter Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Apr 23 Deadline

High school seniors or older students who have applied to an RAMEF-recognized professional development program in hospitality or are enrolled in an RAMEF-recognized foodservice/hospitality program and plan to pursue hospitality-related coursework are eligible for this award. Students must be Maryland residents, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and have 400 hours of documented industry experience (if high school/college students) OR 1,500 hours if an industry professional or teacher/instructor.

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KASF Eastern Region Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jun 30 Deadline

This award is available for Korean-American students living in and attending school in Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and plan to enroll full time.

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Sheila Z. Kolman Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is for U.S. high school seniors in Baltimore who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need. You must major in the field of education or a related field and aspire to become a teacher. Students must. You must submit an essay describing your academic and professional goals, why you have chosen them and what you have done to prepare yourself thus far (300-900 words; 2-4 pages).

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Good Lawyers / Good People Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jul 1 Deadline

One of the rewarding things about being a personal injury attorney is helping people overcome difficult challenges. We truly enjoy using our abilities and knowledge to help others. We want to help make the same opportunities to help available to others who aspire to use the law to achieve justice and make the world a better and safer place. We are therefore happy to offer two $1,000.00 annual scholarships – one for the fall semester and one for the spring semester – to deserving and qualified students.

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Fourth Circuit High School Essay Contest

$4,500 Award Amount

3 Awards

Jun 15 Deadline

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is seeking submissions for its essay contest. The contest is open to all students currently in grades 9 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Students are invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: "Is the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause sufficient to secure the rights of all citizens, or is the ERA necessary to promote gender equality?

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LGBT Youth Leadership Awards (YLA)

$25,000 Award Amount

8 Awards

Jun 2 Deadline

SMYAL’s scholarships recognize outstanding LGBTQ+ student leaders who have demonstrated personal growth and a commitment to creating change in their school or community while remaining unapologetically themselves. These scholarships are intended to help offset the cost of continuing education and are awarded directly to recipients entering their first year of post-secondary education, which may include technical or trade school, as well as two- and four-year colleges. Funds are paid directly to the student and may be used for everything from tuition and housing, books and technology, school travel costs, or materials for your program. There are two scholarship funds, both with the same application process and deadline! All applicants will automatically be considered for both awards. Founded in 2015, SMYAL’s LGBT Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) provide a total of up to $25,000 to 5-8 student leaders each year. YLA winners receive up to $5,000 each for their extraordinary leadership and impact in their communities. Learn more about past YLA winners here. Named in honor of Sophie Magerl, Sophie’s Live Out Loud Award (LOLA) will provide a $5,000 scholarship for one student leader who embodies Sophie’s values of self-expression, creative arts, empowerment, resilience, and dedication to community. Sophie was an inspiring 17-year-old who lived out loud and fought for others to be able to express themselves freely.

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YouthCon Scholarship

$9,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Jan 15 Deadline

The YouthCon Scholarship is hosted by AASuccess, a Falls Church-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering the youth to gain confidence while fostering leadership skills by living our motto of “perfecting the act of giving back”. Our scholarship allows innovative high school and middle school students living in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area with ideas to be actively involved with philanthropic work to make a difference in neighborhoods, with the support of AASuccess. We award innovative and driven students with the mindsets of giving back, and those seeking to strengthen their skills such as writing, presentation, and leadership.

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Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Eastern Regional Chapter

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jun 30 Deadline

The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) – Eastern Regional Chapter (ERC) is pleased to announce a scholarship program in honor and recognition of 1.6 million American Veterans who served in the Korean War during the Korean War era (June 25, 1950–January 31, 1955). These men and women answered the call to fight for a country and people they never knew and never met. More than 54,000 Americans died and 103,000 were wounded. To express our gratitude to these veterans for their sacrifices, KASF-ERC will offer their descendants an opportunity to apply for a scholarship. KASF-ERC scholarship program will recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated outstanding talents and potential for success. Awardees will receive a check of $2,000 scholarships from KASF and be able to attend the KASF-ERC Award Ceremony & Banquet in Vienna, VA.

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The Mary Rubin and Benjamin M. Rubin Scholarship Fund

$2,500 Award Amount

5 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This award is available for women who are residents of Maryland who have been out of high school for at least 12 months. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.

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Baltimore City Retired Public School Employees Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore Maryland who plan to pursue a career in education. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher at the time of application.

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Cynthia E. Morgan Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 25 Deadline

Current high school juniors or older students attending or planning to attend a Maryland college or university to pursue a career in a medical or medical-related field are eligible for this award. Students must be Maryland residents.

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The Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Foundation Scholars Grant

$5,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Feb 25 Deadline

The Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation supports work in four areas of interest. Ninety five percent (95%) of funding from The Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation is reserved for programs in greater Baltimore and the State of Maryland. The foundation will make a limited number of new grants each year to projects that address specific interests or issues. Research as to causes and treatment of mental illness and services for people with mental illness and their families. Within this area, special interests include: Promoting recovery and participation in community life for people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression Increasing access to mental health treatment for underserved populations. Strategies of interest include integrating mental health care into community and primary care settings and providing services to minority communities, including those with limited English proficiency Increasing the adoption of evidence-based practices in treatment settings

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Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship

$10,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Feb 15 Deadline

U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled in a hospitality management program and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Applicants must attend and be nominated by an American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) member school.

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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

Baltimore Inner Harbor at sunset, with vibrant reflections and city skyline.

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

Classic red brick university hall with a clock tower, surrounded by lush greenery.

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

Annapolis waterfront at dusk, featuring historic buildings and vibrant lights.

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?

Baltimore's cityscape at sunset, featuring the historic Washington Monument.

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!