Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship offers aspiring educators a significant opportunity to finance their studies while committing to serve Maryland's public schools. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship, covering eligibility requirements, the application process, award amounts, and related opportunities.

Introduction

The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship aims to attract talented individuals to the teaching profession and address the shortage of qualified educators in critical areas within the state's public school system. By providing financial assistance and support, the scholarship encourages recipients to dedicate their careers to serving in high-needs schools and subject areas.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled or intend to enroll at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.
Service Commitment: Applicants must agree to work as a public school or public prekindergarten teacher in Maryland upon completion of their studies. This service must be in a high-needs school (as identified by MSDE) or in a grade level or content area where there is a shortage of qualified educators.
Enrollment Status: Applicants must be enrolled full-time or part-time at an eligible institution, pursuing a course of study that leads to a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.
Residency and Test Scores: Applicants are no longer required to be Maryland residents or provide GPA, GRE, or SAT scores.
Teaching Assistants: An individual employed as a teaching assistant at a public school or public prekindergarten program in Maryland for at least 2 years may apply and is eligible to hold the scholarship as a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student.
Certification Status: A recipient of this scholarship may not hold a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.

Application Process & Requirements

The application process for the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship involves several key steps and required documents:

Online Application: Applicants must submit the online application through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS).

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Submission Deadline: The online application and all required documents must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance by the specified closing date.
Required Documents: All required documents will be requested and submitted online through each applicant's MDCAPS account. The specific documents required vary based on the applicant's current educational status:
- High School Applicants: Submit a high school transcript after completing the first semester of senior year in high school; AND Essay; AND Institutional Certification Form
- Applicants Currently Enrolled at a Post-Secondary Institution: Submit a college transcript, or if not applicable, a final high school transcript; AND Essay; AND Institutional Certification Form
- Applicants Who Graduated from High School and Completed Some Courses at a Post-Secondary Institution: Submit a college transcript; AND Essay; AND Institutional Certification Form
- Applicants Not Currently Enrolled at a Post-Secondary Institution but Who Graduated from a College or University: Submit a final undergraduate transcript; AND Institutional Certification Form; AND Essay
- Applicants Currently Enrolled in a Graduate Degree Program: Submit a final undergraduate transcript; AND Institutional Certification Form; AND Essay
- Teaching Assistants: Submit a Teaching Asst Employer Verification Form; AND Essay; AND Institutional Certification Form
Essay Requirement: All applicants must submit a 600-word essay detailing how they have demonstrated exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching. The essay must be typed.
Institutional Certification Form: This form is provided through the applicant's MDCAPS account and must be completed by the institution.

Required Documentation in Detail

To ensure a complete application, applicants must provide the following documentation based on their educational background:

High School Applicants or Those with Less Than 12 College Credits: Official or unofficial high school transcript.
Applicants with More Than 12 College Credits or College Graduates Not Currently Enrolled: Official or unofficial college transcript.
Graduate Applicants: Official or unofficial transcript from current school or undergraduate transcript.
All Applicants: A 600-word essay and the Institutional Certification Form.

Award Amount

The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship provides a significant financial award to recipients, covering a substantial portion of their educational expenses. The exact amount of the award varies depending on the type of institution the student attends:

Maryland Public Senior Higher Education Institution: The scholarship award is equivalent to 100% of the annual tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate.
Maryland Private Nonprofit Institution: The scholarship award is equal to the lesser of:
- 100% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution; or
- 50% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution and 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution.

It's important to note that a private nonprofit institution must provide a matching scholarship award in an amount equal to the State award provided for tuition & fees only. Private nonprofit institutions are not required to match State funds awarded for room and board.

Per available funding, out-of-state residents who have a housing status as "Off Campus" or "With Parent" will have a housing allowance included in their award.

Application Timeline

Understanding the application timeline is crucial for prospective Teaching Fellows. While specific notification dates are not provided, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are advised to submit all required materials promptly to ensure timely processing.

Opening Date: For the 2026-2027 academic year, the application opens on January 15, 2026, for high school seniors graduating in Spring/Summer 2026 and other applicants who will be attending college in the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.
Closing Date: The 2025-2026 academic year application will close on April 1, 2026.

Service Obligation Requirement

The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship requires a commitment to serve as a public school or public prekindergarten teacher in Maryland upon completion of studies. This service must be at schools that have at least 50% of the students in the school eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM).

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

While the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship is a significant source of funding, aspiring educators should also explore other scholarship opportunities to further support their education:

"Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
Christian Connector Scholarship: Various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
StudentScholarships.org Scholarship: Open to anyone between the ages of 14-25 who will be attending school.
Laura Bassi Scholarship: Provides editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study.
Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship: Offers scholarships to undergraduate students with outstanding field experience and enthusiasm or to graduate students with significant life experiences.
UMBC Scholarships: Including scholarships for teacher candidates entering PHASE II of internship and funding for graduate students in Education, LLC, Public Policy, and Psychology to support research endeavors.
Returning Women Students Scholarships: Various scholarships combined into one common application accessible to eligible students on ScholarshipRetriever.
UMBC Office of Summer & Winter Programs Scholarships: A limited number of full and partial scholarships to UMBC degree-seeking students with a high GPA who are close to graduating.
Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: Seeks to attract talented individuals with STEM backgrounds into teaching in high-need secondary schools.
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Recruitment Grants: Offered to women who are studying to become teachers.

Benefits for Maryland Teachers

Maryland offers several benefits to teachers, aiming to attract and retain qualified educators:

Competitive Starting Salaries: Maryland teachers working in local education agencies will earn a starting salary of at least $60,000 beginning in 2026.
Fee Scholarship Program for National Board Certification: Maryland provides fee support to initial and renewal candidates obtaining National Board Certification who qualify to participate in this program.
Salary Increases for National Board Certification: Teachers with National Board Certification working in Maryland local education agencies may earn up to $17,000 in salary incentives.
Reemployment of Retired Teachers and Principals: Retired teachers and principals may be exempt from an earnings limitation if they are reemployed in specific roles and schools.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

In addition to the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship, students can explore other financial aid resources:

Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Grants and Scholarships: MHEC sponsors numerous grant and scholarship programs for Maryland residents.
Senatorial Scholarship Program: Offered to current high school seniors and students enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program.
Delegate Scholarship Program: Offered to current high school seniors and students enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program.
Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program: Supports students pursuing an education in cybersecurity-related programs.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: A Federal program providing assistance to students pursuing careers in primary and secondary education, requiring a four-year service obligation.

Salisbury University's Commitment

The Seidel School of Education at Salisbury University demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting future educators. For instance, 115 SU teacher candidates were recipients of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship, receiving over $2.8 million in tuition assistance and support for living costs for the 2024-2025 academic year.

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