Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth

Maryland waives tuition and mandatory fees at its public colleges and universities for students verified as homeless under the federal McKinney-Vento definition at any time in the 24 months before enrolling or while enrolled. That definition includes students sharing housing because of loss of housing or economic hardship, living in motels, shelters, cars or other places not meant for sleeping, and unaccompanied youth. The waiver applies in every term for an associate degree, bachelor's degree or vocational certificate at a Maryland public institution, but does not cover room, board, books or transportation. Students contact the college's financial aid office (a liaison list is on MHEC's page) and file the FAFSA or MSFAA; a high school McKinney-Vento liaison can usually provide verification.

Other deadlines near this one

How hard is the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth to win?

This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.

Estimated odds: qualifying students generally receive it
Paperwork: ~1 hr 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 rivalsRequires a specific life circumstance
More rivalsA large award draws far more applicants

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 Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?

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
For students experiencing homelessness

Confirm these before applying

Must be verified as homeless under McKinney-Vento within 24 months before enrolling or while enrolled

Good to know

Does not cover room, board, books or transportation

What the application takes

No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.

Deadline and application cycle

The next projected deadline is June 30, 2027 (estimated). The last verified deadline has passed; the next cycle is projected from this award's usual June 30 deadline. Confirm the exact date on the official site. Ask your high school's McKinney-Vento liaison for a verification letter during senior year and give it to the college's aid office.

Applications close: June 30, 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 Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth

How much is the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth worth?

The Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth awards full tuition and mandatory fees at Maryland public colleges and is renewable in later years.

When is the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth deadline?

The next projected deadline is June 30, 2027 (estimated). The last verified deadline has passed; the next cycle is projected from this award's usual June 30 deadline. Confirm the exact date on the official site. Ask your high school's McKinney-Vento liaison for a verification letter during senior year and give it to the college's aid office.

Who is eligible for the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?

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; For students experiencing homelessness.

Does the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth require an essay?

No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.

How hard is it to win the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?

This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as qualify and receive, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.

Is the Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth free to apply?

Yes. The Maryland Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.