Scholarships in Baltimore, Maryland: A Comprehensive Guide

Baltimore, a city rich in culture and history, offers a multitude of opportunities for students seeking higher education. However, the cost of education can be a significant barrier. Fortunately, various scholarships and grants are available to help make education more accessible and affordable for students in Baltimore, Maryland. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarships and grants available to students in Baltimore, covering federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as specific scholarships for Baltimore City public school students.

Navigating Financial Aid for College in Baltimore

The journey to funding a college education often begins with understanding the different types of financial aid available. Students in Baltimore may be eligible for three primary categories of scholarships and grants:

Federal Aid
Maryland State Aid
Institutional Scholarships and Grants (e.g., CCBC scholarships and grants)

Each category has its own eligibility criteria and application process, making it essential for students to research and understand the requirements for each. Most aid opportunities start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Aid: Pell Grants

Undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree may be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. This grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Maryland State Aid: Empowering Residents Through Higher Education

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), through its Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), plays a crucial role in helping Maryland residents access and complete higher education. MHEC offers various state grants, scholarships, and loan assistance repayment programs for eligible Maryland residents.

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

Key Maryland State Aid Programs:

Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant: A need-based grant providing financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions. The grant covers 100% of the student's financial need for the first two years of the award.
Educational Assistance (EA) Grant: Another need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions.
2+2 Transfer Scholarship: Designed to assist and encourage transfer students from Maryland community colleges to attend a 4-year institution within the state in a timely manner.
Part-Time Grant: Provides financial assistance to degree-seeking undergraduates and students dually enrolled at a Maryland high school and an institution of higher education. Students must be enrolled in at least six (but no more than 11) credits per semester.
Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program: Offers financial assistance to degree-seeking graduate and professional students.
Delegate Scholarship: Offered to Maryland residents pursuing a postsecondary credential full-time or part-time at a two-year or a four-year Maryland college, university, or private career school.
Senatorial Scholarship: Offered to current high school seniors and full-time and part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students attending a private career school.
Maryland Police Officer Scholarship Program: Awarded to current police officers or individuals planning to become police officers, who are enrolled in an academic program that furthers their career in law enforcement. Recipients must pledge to work as a police officer in the state upon completion of their studies.
Charles W. Riley Firefighter & Ambulance & Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program:
Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program: Provides financial assistance to Maryland residents pursuing an education in programs directly relevant to cybersecurity.
Workforce Development Sequence Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to students enrolling in an approved non-credit certificate program leading to apprenticeships, employment, licensure, or job skill enhancement at participating Maryland community colleges.
Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program: Provides financial assistance to Maryland residents planning on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation, including child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service.
Tuition Reduction for Non-Resident Nursing Students: Available for non-residents accepted into a nursing program who attend a two-year or four-year public institution in Maryland.
Jack F. Tolbert Memorial Student Grant Program:
Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Student Grant Program and Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program: The Conroy Scholarship application is now an online NextGen form. The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program provides student financial assistance to certain Maryland residents due to their eligible military or public safety service or due to their eligible family or marital relationship to such an individual. The Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to eligible children and surviving spouses of school employees who died or sustained an injury that rendered the school employee 100 percent disabled, as a victim in an act of violence occurring in the line of duty. Armed Forces or who have a spouse or parent who became permanently disabled or died while serving in the Armed Forces.
Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program: Provides financial assistance to United States Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse who are current high school seniors and full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.
Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship:

State Grant and Scholarship Appeals

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) understands that students experience special circumstances that may cause them to fail to meet certain requirements for State awards. Therefore, OSFA has developed an appeal process that allows students, in certain instances, to appeal for (re)consideration of certain State financial aid programs.

BOOST (Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today) Scholarship Program

The Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program provides scholarship awards for some students who are eligible for the free or reduced-price school meals program (FARMs) to attend a participating nonpublic school.

To be eligible, a student must:

Qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FARMs);
Be enrolled or accepted at a participating nonpublic school
Be entering grades kindergarten - 12th grade

Priority is given to students who were recipients of a BOOST award in the previous year. As part of the application, parents will be asked to upload their Federal 1040 tax returns so that their annual income and household size can be verified.

The award amounts are dependent on several factors, including household income, the academic level of the student, and any financial assistance that the school provides to the student. The check is sent to the school, and the parent/guardian must come to the school to sign the back of the check.

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

Nonpublic schools must hold a certificate of approval from or be registered with the State Board of Education; Be approved to participate in the Nonpublic Textbook Program; Provide at least a 1st grade level program; Complete an application to the BOOST Scholarship Program; Comply with all reporting requirements by the specified date.

CCBC Scholarships and Grants: Investing in the Community

Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) offers a variety of scholarships and grants to new and current students, thanks to the generosity of community donors. These opportunities help make CCBC education even more accessible and affordable. With the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship, college-ready, recent high school graduates can attend CCBC debt-free!

University of Maryland, Baltimore Scholarships

Current and incoming students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore may be eligible to apply for multiple competitive awards through a single application, which recognizes academic achievement and commitment to the community. While applicants will be considered for all competitive awards, students may only receive one award.

Undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need based on their FAFSA, may be eligible for the Federal Pell grant. The University Grant is institutional grant funding that may be awarded to students in eligible programs who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have completed their FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline. Due to limited funding, all students who meet the eligibility criteria may not be awarded; eligible students are automatically awarded until funds are exhausted. University Grant funds are awarded based an anticipated full-time enrollment, and may be prorated for students that are enrolled part-time, as determined by their program. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each term to be eligible for any University Grant funds. State Scholarships are available to students who are classified as residents of Maryland by the Office of the Registrar. MHEC funds the Graduate/Professional School Scholarship. Students in eligible programs, who are classified as Maryland residents, and have submitted their FAFSA by our March 1 priority deadline are automatically considered for this award. There is no separate application. Scholarships are awarded based on set criteria, with priority given to students with lower Student Aid Indexes (SAIs), as determined by the FAFSA, until funds are exhausted. The annual award amount varies each year based on the funding provided by MHEC and number of eligible students. The College Completion Programs students are offered a Last Dollar Grant or Book Award. These are need-based awards for Baltimore City public high school graduates whose student aid index and financial aid package total less than the cost to attend college. Students awarded a CollegeBound Foundation Last Dollar Grant or Book Award are eligible for a renewable grant between $500 and $5,000 annually. CollegeBound’s scholarship portfolio is made possible through the generous support of individuals, organizations, foundations, and local businesses. Some competitive scholarships also offer additional support through CollegeBound’s College Completion Program, which will be clearly noted in each listing. Our portfolio includes a wide variety of scholarship types.

Additional Scholarship Resources

ScholarshipOwl is your source of relief from the dreaded application process. They put students on the fast-track to success by providing direct access to the scholarships they need the most. Take the hassle out of financial aid and maximize your chance at a free ride in college.

Read also: Scholarship Guide

Scholarships for Baltimore City Public School Students

Several scholarships are specifically designed to support students graduating from Baltimore City public high schools. These scholarships recognize academic achievement, community involvement, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Featured Scholarships for Baltimore City Public School Students:

The Athumani A. Brown Memorial Scholarship: Supports the academic and professional goals of Baltimore City public school students graduating from high school.
BitView Scholarship: Empowers students to fearlessly embrace their STEM identities in order to improve their academic success, college readiness, and leadership skills. Criteria: You must be a senior graduating from a Baltimore City public high school with a 2.0 GPA or better; demonstrate financial need; intend to pursue one of the following majors: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Science.
CollegeBound Foundation Scholarships: Equity begins with a commitment to education. Criteria: You must be a senior graduating from a Baltimore City public high school; demonstrate financial need; be a first-generation college student and pursuing one of the following majors: Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Finance, Business, Cyber-security. You also must fully complete CollegeBound’s online application; and submit a Resilience Essay: Everyone faces and overcomes challenges.
J. Frederick Motz Scholarship: This scholarship is inspired by the donor’s long family lineage of mechanical, chemical, computer software, and electrical engineers. This award has been established in order to increase educational opportunities for the young people of Baltimore City. Criteria: You must demonstrate financial need; major in the field of hotel, hospitality, tourism, restaurant management or business.
The Lozano Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship honors the life of J. Frederick Motz, a lifelong Baltimorean. He believed in the power of education to transform lives. In his work as a lawyer, judge, and community leader, he strove to ensure justice and expand opportunity. Criteria: You must be a graduating senior from a Baltimore City Public High School; demonstrate financial need; must intend to pursue a career in law or public service; plan on attending a four-year institution; and submit a Resilience Essay: Everyone faces and overcomes challenges.
M&T Bank Scholarship: M&T Bank was founded on the belief that banks exist to help people succeed. With that in mind, M&T Bank has created a renewable scholarship to help two Baltimore City public high school students attend college. In addition to the scholarship, scholars are offered skill building workshops/seminars as well as a paid summer internship during each of their college years. Criteria: You must have a cumulative 2.8 GPA or better; demonstrate financial need; be accepted to and attend a Maryland four-year college or university; plan to major in an approved major; and submit a merit essay describing your academic and professional goals, why you have chosen them, what you have done to prepare yourself thus far and how college will help (300-900 words; 2-4 pages). This scholarship award was established to honor Chef John Shields and the 20th anniversary of his founding of Gertrude’s Restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the start of his non-profit, Our Common Table. John wanted to celebrate his legacy and commitment to Baltimore by establishing a scholarship to help young adults from Baltimore follow their dreams in culinary or hospitality management. During his career, John owned several restaurants, was the author of several cookbooks and host of two PBS cooking shows.
Stacy N. Brown Memorial Scholarship: This was one of Stacy N. Brown’s favorite quotes-a guiding principle that she lived by and shared with others throughout her life. Stacy passed away unexpectedly on July 25, 2024, at her home in Mountain View, California. A native of Maryland, Stacy was born on the Eastern Shore and raised in Baltimore on the Western Shore. She was deeply rooted in her community and always committed to uplifting others, particularly young people navigating their educational and professional journeys. In her memory, the Stacy N. Brown Memorial Scholarship is being established to honor her life, her legacy, and her profound compassion for helping others. This scholarship is a torchbearer for Stacy’s unwavering kindness, her passion for mentorship, and her belief in the power of education to transform lives. She often encouraged youth to discover their passions, embrace learning, and grow into the “beautiful butterflies” they were destined to become-a symbol she adored. Professionally, Stacy dedicated 28 years of service to IBM, where she most recently worked as a Security Compliance Technical Project Manager for Aspera. Criteria: Must be an African American female graduating senior from a Baltimore City or Baltimore County high school; plan to attend a four-year college or university; plan to major in or express strong interest in Information Technology fields-particularly Technical Project Management, Cybersecurity, or AI; have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; submit a Resilience Essay: Everyone faces and overcomes challenges.
**The Alice G.
**The Babette K.
**The Clare J. This scholarship is a memorial to Clare J. Siegel, who was one of the pioneers in the education of infants and toddlers in Baltimore City, the State of Maryland and nationally.
The Deric Dowd Scholarship: is being established in honor of my son, Deric Dowd. He was a native of Baltimore who was dedicated to studying areas of counselling. It was his dream to provide support and to assist individuals in their struggles. He was passionate and persistent in his pursuit to help others. Deric’s unexpected and unfortunate passing in 2020 significantly impacted his family and friends.
The Marvin Pryor Scholarship: The Marvin Pryor had his sights set on the future for as long as his family and teachers can remember. Known as ‘Papi’ among his circle, it was frequently said he was an ‘old soul’ with a contagious smile as big as his heart, a boundless curiosity and a talent for cracking jokes. Papi was genuinely interested in people and their stories. Marvin graduated from the Baltimore Design School in 2020 and was attending the University of the District of Columbia. He showed resilience in attaining academic excellence and maintaining a positive attitude while managing the additional financial and social responsibilities of growing up in a single-parent household. He was dedicated to his family and to his community and was passionate about Architecture. Marvin’s dream of becoming an Architect was cut short by gun violence in March of 2022. Criteria: You must be passionate about Architecture and committed to pursuing a degree in Architecture or a related field at a 4-year or 2-year college. You must have 75 hours of verifiable community service, demonstrate financial need, and submit a Resilience Essay: Everyone faces and overcomes challenges. Describe the challenges you have overcome and how that relates to you wanting to attend to college (300-900 words; 2-4 pages).
**The Shirley E. This award honors Shirley E. *Criteria:* You must major in a health-related services area-clinical, education, or research; have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; be accepted at a two or four year college or university; and submit an essay discussing your academic and professional goals and why education is important to you (300-900 words; 2-4 pages).
**The Walter G. Walter G. Amprey, former Superintendent of Baltimore City Public Schools, dedicated his career to educating children.
**Bragny V. Diaz Jr. Bragny V. Diaz, a spirited student at Patterson High School, sorrowfully passed away on July 7, 2021, at the tender age of 18. Bragny had great promise and made it his sole mission to complete his high school education. He faced many obstacles, and wanted to quit plenty of times, but he was always committed to completing high school. Bragny, loved by many in his community, had a vision to be more and do more. His infectious humor and diligent commitment to his family and friends were the foundation of his life. This scholarship will carry on Bragny’s legacy of overcoming unyielding challenges and persevering triumphantly. *Criteria:* You must: have cumulative 2.0 GPA or better; submit Resilience Essay: Everyone faces and overcomes challenges.
**The Dunbar Class of 1958 established this scholarship with the intention to give back to the community in which they were raised and went to school. This book scholarship is designed to support one (1) student who attends Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and one (1) student who attends Western High School. *Criteria:* You must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or better; demonstrate financial need; submit a Resilience Essay. Everyone faces and overcomes challenges.
**The Late Cardrienne P. is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization committed to empowering women, children, and families in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. This scholarship honors the life and legacy of the late Cardrienne P. Griffin, WO-BE-CO Co-Founder, and former Baltimore City school teacher who had a passion for cultivating young people and serving the community. Mrs. Griffin spent her lifetime dedicated to making a difference mentoring girls and women in education, career development, health care, voter equality and civil rights through her active involvement in WO-BE-CO (as well as, numerous local and international organizations). As an educator and community volunteer, she enjoyed organizing book drives, social and cultural activities for our girls mentoring program, taking students on college tours, and more. *Criteria:* You must be an African American female who attends one of the designated schools below, aspires to attend college/university or trade school, with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above, demonstrate financial need, and submit a Resilience Essay.
**The Late James M. is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization committed to empowering women, children, and families in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. This scholarship honors the life and legacy of the late James M. Griffin, a civil rights and social justice advocate who dedicated his life to ensuring equality in education, housing, and health care. A founder and owner of his own physical therapy office, he mentored and trained countless physical therapists, encouraging them in their academic and professional pursuits. As a proud graduate of Dunbar High School, he earned a scholarship for his athleticism to attend Johnson C. Smith University which changed the trajectory of his life. Through his active involvement in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (Pi Omega Chapter) he helped establish the Principle Achievers Mentoring Program and enthusiastically mentored African American males from ages 8 to 18. He shared his life lessons in his autobiography (Lessons Learned through the Power of My Journey) to pave the way for others, especially young people to learn from his experiences, encourage them in their pursuit of achieving their academic, career, and personal goals, while at the same time he underscored and modeled the importance of giving back to your community. *Criteria:* You must be an African American male who is graduating from Mr. Griffin’s alma mater, Dunbar High School, who will be attending a community college, 4 year college/university or trade school, demonstrates financial need, and submits a Resilience Essay.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

"Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile. It takes less than 2 minutes to apply.
Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.

Additional Support for Baltimore Communities

We have a nearly 30-year history of offering grants to resident-led groups and community projects in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. These grants give residents the resources they need to accomplish a small project, get more people involved, and encourage the next generation of neighborhood leaders. We also fund programs that support the development of leaders of all ages who are working to improve their neighborhoods and schools. Our support is intended to help identify, activate, inform and network leaders. And finally, we believe when schools and neighborhoods team up to improve their school and community, meaningful and lasting change can be made. We believe that attracting and retaining effective and diverse school leaders is a key lever for change in Baltimore’s educational landscape, and so we fund school leadership development efforts at the district and individual school level. We are interested in funding proposals that focus on principal coaching, mentoring, peer networking, wellness/self-care, as well as pipelines that identify and develop new leaders. Our on-line application system provides applicants with a portal to start a new grant application or to continue updating an application already in process. We have allocated funds for two geographical areas that bookend a crucial corridor on the Westside of Baltimore City: Howard Park /Forest Park area (served by Calvin Rodwell Elementary Middle School and Liberty Elementary), and Reservoir Hill/Penn North area (served by Dorothy I Height Elementary). In these three schools and their surrounding neighborhoods, we will support projects and activities designed to make the communities safe, clean, green and vibrant; and improve the quality of the schools. High quality early childhood education has a lifelong effect on students. Through our Early Learning grant program, we are interested in system-wide early childhood education proposals that will help Baltimore City and County’s youngest learners, and their families, get the start they need.

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