Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar award of up to $5,000 a year that covers tuition and mandatory fees left after federal and state grants at a Maryland community college. Graduating seniors qualify with an unweighted cumulative GPA of at least 2.3 at the end of the first semester of senior year, family income under $100,000 for a single-parent household or $150,000 for a two-parent household, and eligibility for in-state tuition. Students generally must attend the community college in their own county or region unless it lacks their program. It can be used for associate degrees, credit certificates, licensure sequences and registered apprenticeships. Apply by filing the FAFSA (or MHEC One App) by the state deadline and contacting the community college to submit documents.

Other deadlines near this one

How hard is the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship to win?

This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome.

Estimated odds: most eligible students who file early receive it
Paperwork: ~2 hrs to file

What drives the odds here

Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.

Fewer rivalsOpen only to Maryland residents
Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
Fewer rivalsAn income ceiling applies
Fewer rivalsRequires at least a 2.3 GPA

How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.

Who can apply for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship?

These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.

Must be a resident of Maryland
Must attend a college in Maryland (the award does not travel out of state)
Open to high school seniors and current college students
GPA of 2.3 or higher (unweighted)
Household income of $180,000 or less

Confirm these before applying

Adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less (single parent) or $150,000 or less (two parents)
Unweighted cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.3
Must be eligible for in-state tuition

Good to know

Must attend the community college in your county or region unless your program is offered only elsewhere

What the application takes

Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.

Deadline and application cycle

The next projected deadline is April 1, 2027 (estimated). The last verified deadline has passed; the next cycle is projected from this award's usual April 1 deadline. Confirm the exact date on the official site. File the FAFSA by spring of senior year and send your first-semester senior transcript to the community college financial aid office.

FAFSA or MHEC One App filing deadline: April 1, 2027 (estimated)

Track the next deadline Apply on the official site

Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.

Common questions about the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship

How much is the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship worth?

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship awards up to $5,000 per year and is renewable in later years.

When is the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship deadline?

The next projected deadline is April 1, 2027 (estimated). The last verified deadline has passed; the next cycle is projected from this award's usual April 1 deadline. Confirm the exact date on the official site. File the FAFSA by spring of senior year and send your first-semester senior transcript to the community college financial aid office.

Who is eligible for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship?

Key requirements: Must be a resident of Maryland; Must attend a college in Maryland (the award does not travel out of state); Open to high school seniors and current college students; GPA of 2.3 or higher (unweighted). 1 more criteria are listed on this page.

Does the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship require an essay?

No essay is required. The application does ask for a transcript. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.

How hard is it to win the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship?

This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome. Solyo classifies this award as first come, first served, meaning most eligible students who file early receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.

Is the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship free to apply?

Yes. The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.