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10 Maryland Scholarships to Save You Thousands on College
What’s Covered:
Maryland is brimming with opportunities for learners of all ages. Perhaps you want to attend college in your home state, or maybe you want to explore other parts of the country and beyond. Either way, students in the Old Line State have the chance to earn often substantial scholarships to help them get there.
Maryland Scholarships to Save You Thousands on College
1. Maryland Delegate Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: High school seniors, current or prospective degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students, or career school students
Application Requirements: Contact local delegates for instructions, FAFSA
These non-renewable scholarships are available to Maryland residents to attend an institution of higher learning in Maryland. Out-of-state exceptions may be made if the student’s intended major is not available at a Maryland college or university. Eligible students should contact their local delegates via the link above for details on how to apply.
2. Dwight P. Jacobus Scholarships
Amount: $1,000/school year
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current or prospective undergraduates pursuing a career in Business or Education in Maryland or DC; must demonstrate financial need; minimum 2.0 GPA
Application Requirements: Application, transcript, income tax returns, acceptance letter from an institution in Maryland or DC, SAT or ACT results, 500-word essay
Named for the first Executive Director of the Association of School Business Officials of Maryland, this scholarship assists future business or education professionals with paying for college. The ASBO offers five awards each year, with at least one reserved for an individual enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification. Decisions are made based on scholastic achievement, financial need, test scores, and the quality of extracurricular achievements.
3. Jewish Community Services Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Jewish high school seniors from the Baltimore Metro Area planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or university
Application Requirements: Complete Central Scholarship, letters of recommendation
Several different JCS scholarships are available for students who have different needs, abilities, and demographics. For example, some are designated for students with a documented diagnosed learning disability, while others are available for students from single-parent homes. Regardless of type, scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, financial need, community and school involvement, and letters of recommendation.
4. Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program
Amount: N/A
Deadline: July 15
Eligibility: Current high school seniors, full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduates and graduate students; must be a Maryland resident (with some exceptions)
Application Requirements: Contact your college’s financial aid office
This scholarship is open to students at a two- or four-year Maryland college or university. Both new and renewal applicants should contact their college’s financial aid office for application instructions.
5. VMDAEC Education Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors living in one of 15 electric cooperatives served by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives
Application Requirements: Application, essay
The Education Scholarship Foundation awards $1,000 scholarships every year based on financial need, academic achievement, and personal qualities, as conveyed through a personal statement. Applicants must be entering a two- or four-year college or university or a trade school in the coming semester.
6. Matthew E. Minor Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school seniors in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC; minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Requirements: Application
Established in memory of 12-year-old Matthew E. Minor, the Scholarship Fund awards multiple scholarships to graduating seniors who want to work in the community to protect children from threats like cyberbullying. These awards are made possible by donations and vary based on fund availability.
7. Bernie Scholarship Awards Program
Amount: N/A
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Must receive housing assistance/rental subsidy in Montgomery County and/or a Dreamer who attended a Montgomery County high school for at least three years; minimum 2.0 GPA; prior scholarship recipients may apply
Application Requirements: Application, two recommendations, effectiveness survey
The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program seeks to provide financial assistance to low-income learners in Montgomery County who live in subsidized housing and want to attend college or training programs. Interviews are required for finalists.
8. Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship
Amount: Tuition and fees (percentage covered vary by the type of institution)
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Maryland residents or high school graduates planning on enrolling at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program or program leading to a Maryland teacher’s certificate; minimum 3.3 GPA, combined SAT of 1100, or 50% GRE
Application Requirements: Online application, transcript, SAT/ACT scores, GRE scores if taken, essay
The Teaching Fellows of Maryland Scholarship is offered to students who pledge to work as a public school or public prekindergarten teacher in schools where at least half of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Applicants must submit an essay detailing how they’ve demonstrated a dedication to teaching.
9. Esperanza Education Fund
Amount: Up to $20,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Must have been born outside the U.S. or have both parents born outside the U.S.; must be a graduating senior or have a GED and live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia; must have a household income of less than $100,000
Application Requirements: Household financial information, family background information, intended college or university, transcript/GED scores, extracurricular activities, two essays, two letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores (optional)
This scholarship helps immigrant students pursue higher education regardless of their national origin, ethnicity, or immigration status. Every year, Esperanza selects 10 scholarship recipients from a pool of more than 300 applications. Recipients will also be paired with a mentor and have access to programs and professional development activities.
10. Sheila Z. Kolman Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: Must major in education or a related field with the intention of becoming a teacher, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and demonstrate financial need
Application Requirements: Essay, transcript, resume, letter of recommendation, SAR, SAT/ACT scores
This scholarship honors Sheila Z. Kolman, a former Baltimore City principal and president of the Public School Administrators and Supervisors Association of Baltimore City, and supports Baltimore City Public School students in their efforts to attend college. In their essays, students should describe their academic and professional goals.
Tips on Applying for Scholarships
1. Start by focusing on institutional aid.
Before you start looking for external scholarships like the ones listed above, consider aid at your institution or prospective institution. This is usually your best source of funding, in terms of both need-based and merit-based financial aid. If you still need additional assistance, start looking into outside awards.
2. Target specialized scholarships.
Some scholarships accept applications from a huge pool of candidates, while others focus on specific niches, such as demographics, talents, or intended areas of study. The latter category is a better bet, because you’re facing less competition and will be more able to demonstrate your qualifications to the application committee.
3. Don’t stop applying.
Apply for as many scholarships as you reasonably can. The more you apply for (especially if they’re niche), the better your odds of winning — and contributing more money that you won’t have to pay back to your college education.
