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Washington, D.C. and Maryland Scholarships

by Mary Brito | Last Updated: January 9, 2025

Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships for Washington, DC and Maryland students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline has passed, the website will likely be updated for the 2023-24 cycle. Be sure to reach out to the sponsor or check sponsor websites for the most recent details.

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What are scholarships?

Scholarships can greatly benefit you as they provide financial assistance to pay for your education. They are typically based on academic achievement, financial need, or athletic ability, and can help you attend college without taking out as many loans or working as many hours at a job.

Why are scholarships important for students?

Scholarships can help you cover the cost of your education. College is expensive, and scholarships can provide financial assistance to help you pay for tuition, books, and other expenses. By receiving a scholarship, you may be able to attend college without taking out as many loans or working as many hours at a job, which can reduce your financial burden and allow you to focus on your studies. Additionally, scholarships can help you stand out in the college application process and may open doors to other opportunities, such as internships or study abroad programs.

How much scholarship money can I win?

The amount of money you can win through a scholarship varies depending on the scholarship program. Some scholarships offer a few hundred dollars, while others can cover the full cost of tuition and other expenses. Additionally, some scholarships are renewable for multiple years, which can provide you with ongoing financial support throughout your college career. The scholarship amount is usually indicated in the scholarship details and varies based on the program’s budget, the number of applicants, and the specific criteria used to award the scholarship. When applying for scholarships, it’s important to read the eligibility requirements and the scholarship amount carefully to determine if the scholarship is worth applying for and how much financial assistance it can provide.

d.c. and maryland scholarships two girls hugging

Washington D.C. and Maryland Scholarships

January

This award is $1,000 targeted toward younger children. Students from 4th through 11th grade can be nominated by their teachers to be considered for this Washington, DC scholarship. To be eligible, students must have a minimum 3.75 GPA and be involved in community service. One scholar is chosen from each school that has nominated students for the honor. Learn more here.

This recognizes and rewards high school students who, through their volunteer activities, have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools or communities. PPRR operates through 28 Regional Committees and accepts applications from high school students who live outside the geographic boundaries of the existing regions. Each of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations recipients receives an award of $1,000 and is invited to participate in a Symposium on Race. The deadline is January 31st.  Read more here and additional details here.

 

This offers various scholarships for students studying in the fields of history, economics, government, and political science; for students studying in the fields of medical, nursing, and occupational/physical therapy; for students studying in the fields of elementary and secondary teacher education; and for American Indian students. Must have  grade point average (GPA) are based on a 4.0 scaled or the equivalent GPA on the scale used by the applicable educational institution. The deadline is January 31st. Learn more here.

 

This offers scholarships to young women who embody NPC’s core values. Applicants must be in a participating sorority, a rising sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student in the upcoming fall, and have connections to the D.C. metro area. Award amounts vary annually. The deadline is January 31st. More details here.

February

You may be eligible to be considered as a Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship Recipient if you are enrolled as a full-time high school senior and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for graduating high school seniors. All applicants must reside in one of the following states or the District of Columbia: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Delaware or New Jersey. The scholarship application deadline will be February 7th. Read more here.

 

This open to U.S. individuals with spiritual values up to $7,000 amount. They favor graduate and high-achieving undergraduate students, especially those interested in education careers. Requirements include transcripts, three recommendations, and three essays. International students can apply in the United States. The submission deadline is on February 1. More details here also here.

 

This is offering $100,000 in scholarships, with up to $20,000 (up to $5,000 per year) available in various majors and minors, including art-related fields. High school seniors and transfer students pursuing undergraduate studies are eligible, and an application for admission to the university is required. The deadline is February 1st. More details here and also here.

 

This offers a $3,000 amount and support dependent sons or daughters of a full- or part-time employee of Simon Property Group through one-time scholarships. Must: be a child of a full-time or part-time employee of Simon Property Group who has been employed for at least one year; be under 23 and be a a high school senior or current college student planning to enroll in full-time, undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college. The deadline is February 16. More info. Here.

 

Meg Graham Scholarship awards $10,000 to a high school senior in Washington, D.C., who will attend a four-year postsecondary institution in the fall. Eligible applicants must have a strong volunteer service record, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate potential for future success. The scholarship is disbursed in four equal installments over four years, contingent on maintaining a 2.75 GPA and ongoing volunteer work. The deadline is February 21st. More details here. 

 

PAVE Essay Contest and Scholarship Program offers a $2,500 amount for a high school essay contest. Students imagine a world with autonomous vehicles and submit 1,000-word essays.More information. The deadline is February 28th. Here. Website 

 

March

This offers a $5,000 scholarship for high school students in the D.C. metropolitan area with a passion for aviation and plans for an aviation or aerospace education and career. It’s open to students in specific regions of D.C., Virginia, and Maryland with financial need. The scholarship can be used for college tuition in aviation-related programs, technical schools, or flight training. The deadline is March 31st. More information here. and here.

 

This offers 85 scholarships to students in our territory, ranging from $2,000 to $6,500. Not all scholarships are agriculture-related, so we encourage all high school seniors and current college students to apply. Recipients must reside in one of the counties served by Colonial Farm Credit. Individual scholarships may have additional criteria. The deadline is March 1st. Learn more here and and here.

 

This award for up to $3,000 and open to current high school seniors and full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates. Applicants must complete the FAFSA online. Applicants must be Maryland residents, enrolled or enrolling at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university as full-time, degree-seeking, undergraduate students. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Students with the lowest EFC are awarded first. The total dollar amount may not exceed your cost of attendance, as determined by your school’s financial aid office, or $28,000, whichever is less. The deadline for undocumented students is May 15th, while the priority deadline for all other students is June 15th. More info. Here and also  here.

 

This offers a  $1,000 assists those citizens of the State and/or District who require financial assistance to secure a college education. Applicants must be Maryland residents for at least one year before the award date, accepted as full-time students at a Maryland school, with a demonstrated financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The deadline is March 1st. Read more here and here.

 

This is for $200 and is offered by the local State Delegates to Maryland residents who plan to pursue a post-secondary credential full-time or part-time at a two-year or four-year Maryland college, university or private career school.​ The application will be open from March 15 to July 1st.​ Learn more here and here.

 

Scholars can earn up to $10,000 with renewable scholarships. Requirements: Full-time enrollment as a sophomore, junior, or senior at an HBCU for 2023-2024, specific majors, GPA of 3.0+, U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency with valid documentation. The deadline is March 8th. Learn more here.

 

This is for $5,000. This organization offers ten scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Students must be either graduating high school seniors or matriculating undergraduate students who are residents of Prince George’s County Maryland. Scholarships will be awarded exclusively to STEM majors, with a preference for students pursuing degrees in Computer Science related fields. High school students must have a 2.75 GPA, and college students a 3.0. The deadline is March 23. Learn more here.

 

This awards $2,000 to a Maryland female graduating senior who has performed outstanding volunteer service during her high school years success. Applicants must be Maryland residents who attend a Maryland public, charter, private, or parochial high school in one of the following counties: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, or Harford County. Applicants must plan to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the fall of the year the award is offered. Learn more here.

WCREPA Aspiring Teacher Scholarship offers a $1,000 amount and  supports Washington County Maryland Public Schools graduates aspiring to become teachers. Eligible applicants must be in or entering higher education with a 2.5 GPA. The deadline is March 31st. More information here and also here.

This offers a $5,000 amount for U.S. residents aged 15-25 with financial need, residing in their properties or surrounding counties. Eligibility requires full-time high school or undergraduate enrollment with a GPA of 3.0 (high school) or 2.75 (college). Applicants should be available for a phone interview in May. The deadline is March 31st. More details here.

This offers scholarships to graduating seniors in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia Metro Area dedicated to safeguarding children from cyberbullying and related threats. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA, plan for higher education, and should be open to their photos and likeness being used on the foundation’s website and documents. Scholarship amounts vary. The deadline is March 1st. More information here.

 

This offers a $3,000 amount and applicants should be U.S. citizens (by birth or naturalization) or 10-year green card permanent residents aspiring to become citizens. They must have Polish or Polish-American heritage, be legal residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, or full-time students in these areas. Eligible applicants should currently attend an accredited U.S. college/university, with confirmed future attendance in the summer/fall, and demonstrate their involvement with the Polish community, past, present, or future. More details here also here

April

This will award scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, depending on financial need to immigrant students in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, to attend public colleges and universities, regardless of ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status. Applicants must also have a family income of less than $100,000 in 2023. The deadline is set on April 1st. More info. here.

This is a $2,000 one-time award. This scholarship is intended for a Maryland resident.  Preference will be given to employees or dependents of employees of a Maryland Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s member companies. Preference will also be given to graduating seniors from a Maryland high school. To be eligible, students must meet admission requirements for MTSU, major in Concrete Industry Management, be active in high school or community groups, and exhibit a strong interest in pursuing a career in the concrete industry. The deadline is April 1st. Learn more here.

 

This is proud to present six Spirit Award Scholarships to Maryland high school seniors who have excelled while overcoming personal hardships relating to cancer. This organization will provide six $2,500 scholarships to Maryland High School public and private school students planning to attend a two or four-year college. The deadline is April 1st Learn more here.

 

This offers $1,000 in scholarship awards for high school seniors planning to attend college as full-time, degree-seeking students in the fall. These high school seniors must reside in California, Washington, Illinois, Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, New York, and New Jersey and must plan to attend a U.S. Accredited 4-Year College/ University or a Community College in the state of California, Washington, Illinois, Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, New York, and New Jersey as a 1st-year student in the fall of the year the scholarship is awarded. The deadline is April 15th here.

This awards $1,000 scholarships. A combination of weighted criteria is used in the selection process: 40% financial need; 40% academic achievement; and 20% personal statement. Funds can be applied towards tuition, student fees, room, and board, or textbooks. The applicant’s primary residence must receive its electric power from one of the 15 member electric cooperatives served by the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives. Applicants must also be a high school or home-school senior, entering their first semester at a college or technical/trade school in the fall. The deadline is April 1st More details here and also here

 

This is for $,000 (with the possibility of increasing awards of $3,000, $4,000, and $5,000 for each subsequent year in the remaining three years of college). The scholarship is open to any D.C. Resident who is graduating from a DC Public School. Applicants must have admission and commitment to attend an accredited four-year college in the United States, demonstrate commitment to community service. The deadline is April 1st. Read more here.

This is for $2,000. This is open to graduating seniors from high schools in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and surrounding counties who are planning to pursue environmental careers. Applicants must be accepted prior to receiving the award, into a 4-year bachelor’s program in an acceptable field of study by an institution of higher learning. Acceptable areas of study are environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or natural resource planning. The deadline is April 8th. Learn more here.

 

This is currently a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating student-athlete who reflects Coach Fleming’s commitment to youth, community, and teamwork. The deadline for the application is April 15th. Learn more here.

 

This is awarded to students  interested in pursuing culinary, food service, or hospitality-related coursework. It is available to high school seniors and current college students. Applicants must be residents of Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, or Delaware. It is a scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. The deadline for the application is April 15th Learn more here.

 

This is for students graduating from a Harford County Public School, who are enrolled in rigorous coursework, maintain a 2.5 GPA, maintain a high attendance rate, and participate in community service. The application deadline is April 5th. Learn more here.

This seeks to identify Prince George’s County high school seniors who have been accepted into a collegiate institution and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in education. You must also be a Prince George’s County Resident. Each year, a minimum of ten students will be designated Regina C. Williams Scholarship recipients and will receive up to $1,000 in financial support. The recipients may use scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. The deadline is April 30th. Read more here and here. 

This is open to students who have been accepted at an accredited school of nursing or other allied health curriculum offering a course of study leading to licensure as a practical or registered nurse or other allied-health related classification. Preference will be given to residents of Calvert and Anne Arundel counties. The deadline is April 30. Learn more here.

This is open to students who graduated from a Calvert County High School and are pursuing a doctorate in medicine. Students must be admitted to an accredited medical school at the time of application with a minimum GPA of 2.5. The deadline is April 30. More info. Here and here.

This is in the amount of $2,500. To be eligible, you must be a graduating high school senior with a grade point average of 3.0 or above. You must have done extracurricular activities at school, community or church. Also, proof of acceptance to an accredited trade school, junior college, or university must be provided. Website found here and additional information here. The deadline is April 30. here.

To be considered, the applicant must be a high school senior in Maryland, have a 2.7 GPA, and be enrolled as a full-time student in a two or four-year institution. The award ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. The deadline is April 21th. More info. Here additional details here.

Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund seeks to support education in the Washington, D.C. area by providing scholarships to promising students who are seeking a quality education. Applicants must be graduating seniors of a D.C. public or charter high school, be accepted and enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year institution for the upcoming fall semester, demonstrate financial need by submitting the FAFSA, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. The deadline is April 30th.  Apply here and additional information here.

 

Scholar Program Scholarship is $1,200 per year for 2-year college students and $2,400 per year for 4-year college students. This helps DC-area teen parents become college graduates through one-on-one mentoring, tuition assistance, and crisis intervention. Applicants must be teen parents and be the age of 25 or younger at the time of application, be raising or actively involved in their child’s life, and be attending or planning to attend college in the D.C. Metro Area seeking an undergraduate two or four-year degree. The deadline is April 1st. Learn more here.

 

May

Bishop John Bryson Chane Scholarship for Social Justice offers a $1,000 amount, applicants must be graduating high school seniors in the Diocese of Washington, active members of a local Episcopal church, accepted for full-time enrollment at an accredited college, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A commitment to social justice is also required.  The deadline is May 31st. Read more here and here.

This is offered to DC high school students entering undergraduate architecture programs who reside in the District of Columbia. Each scholarship will be $5,000 per year to go toward tuition. If the student maintains a good grade point average and remains in the architecture program, the student will receive $5,000 each subsequent year until graduation. The deadline is May 21st. Read more here and here.

This is open only to legal residents of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Applicants must submit all required information to be eligible for the scholarship program. Miss Utility/District One Call will then select eight high school seniors from Maryland and Washington, D.C., to each receive a $1,008.11 single-year scholarship. The deadline is May 24th. Learn more here. and here.

Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship offers $3,500 to eligible students from Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia. Applicants should be enrolled in accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape/horticulture programs, have junior or senior standing, and maintain a GPA of at least 2.7 overall and 3.0 in their major. More information. The deadline is May 31st.  here

 

June

Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a grant that provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible in-state students currently enrolled as high school seniors (with a 2.5 GPA) who will complete a college preparatory program. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100 percent of the student’s financial need. Also, awards may not exceed your cost of attendance, as determined by your school’s financial aid office, or $28,000, whichever is less. The deadline is June 15th. Read more here and here.

 

July

To be eligible, you must be a Maryland resident at the time of application and enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college/university, as a full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student or attend a private career school. Applicants must be related to U.S. Service members, veterans, POW/MIA from the Vietnam War, a victim of 9/11, a state, local, or public employee or school employee who either died in the line of duty or suffered a disabling injury. The amount of your award may not exceed the equivalent annual tuition. The deadline is July 15th. More info. Here.

This worth $5,000, is for student residents in various states who volunteer in their communities. Eligible applicants can be high school students enrolled in post-secondary institutions, high school graduates, trade school students, or those pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degrees. The deadline is July 15th. More info here and here.

August

September

October

November

This is up to a $16,000 annual award. This is open to all majors with a 2.0 GPA or higher in a two-year degree or certificate program at the UDC Community College. Award supports full tuition, fees, books, limited transportation, and childcare. Applicants must be permanent residents of the District of Columbia or Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in MD or the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, VA. The deadlines are: Fall semester deadline is June 1st and Winter semester deadline is November 10th.  . Read more here.

Awarding $1,500 or $4,500 annually to in-state freshmen. It’s based on academic achievements, extracurriculars, and an essay but is not renewable. Merit scholarships are automatically considered for students who apply by the November 1 early action deadline, focusing on academic excellence, with no additional application required. More info. Here and here.

December

Deadline's Vary

This is for $6,000. It is available to first-year and transfer students who are residents of Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and who enroll at one of Penn State’s 20 Commonwealth Campuses (a campus other than the University Park campus and the World Campus). Once in school, a 2.0 GPA is required. Deadlines vary depending on whether the student is a first-year or transfer. Read more here.

This s awarded to a deserving young adult who is either a cancer survivor or has supported a parent/guardian or sibling through their cancer experience. The applicant must be degree-seeking, demonstrate financial need, and reside in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. This is only for people 15-39. Learn more here.

This is for residents of Maryland who intend to or are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees. The average scholarship award is $4,000. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and plan to attend an accredited college/university or community college in the upcoming academic year. Learn more here.

This is for Jewish high school seniors from the Baltimore Metro Area planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or university. There is a scholarship available for a student with a documented diagnosed learning disability and several scholarships available for students from single-parent homes. The amount varies and the deadline for submitting applications varies. Read more here.

This is for graduating Harford County seniors who demonstrate leadership commitment to the community through extracurricular activities and community service. The total amount awarded annually for scholarships shall be limited to no more than one-half (1/2) of the previous year’s income until reaching a balance of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the scholarship foundation fund. Thereafter, the total yearly income may be awarded. A minimum of two awards in an amount of at least Five Hundred Dollars ($500) is to be given annually. Read more here.

This is offering 10 scholarships this year up to $1500 to deserving students who are permanent residents of Washington DC. Applicants must be a graduating high senior, legal permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen, and must be a Washington DC resident. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 and are enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time college or university, vocational or technical school. Learn more here.

This support to high school students who have conquered significant challenges in their lives. They focus on determination, integrity, perseverance, and financial need, rather than just academic or leadership achievements. More details here.

 

This is offering scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. These scholarships are available to Harford County residents who are pursuing higher education. Eligibility criteria may vary for each scholarship, but typically include factors like academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. To apply and learn about specific scholarship opportunities, students can visit the foundation’s website or contact them directly.More details here.

This offers multiple scholarships to Maryland residents. More information here 

To apply for a scholarship through the DAR Scholarship Committee, applicants must be U.S. citizens, and they should either be attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university within the United States. Although not mandatory, reaching out to a nearby DAR chapter for application assistance is an option. More information here.

This provides generous scholarships for eligible students. To apply as a first-time freshman, you need an admission application and an official high school transcript. You can also choose to submit ACT or SAT scores. Dollar amounts will vary by scholarship, but students should have at least a GPA of 3.0. More info here.

This offers $5,000 to Maryland residents with financial need. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in specific institutions and pursuing degrees in fields such as dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, or veterinary medicine. Awards are determined based on FAFSA-demonstrated need. More info. here.

d.c. and maryland scholarships man and woman looking at computer

How do I apply for scholarships?

To apply for a scholarship, typically you need to fill out an application form and provide some supporting documents, such as an essay, transcripts or letters of recommendation. You can find more details about what goes into a scholarship application in this post.

Do D.C. and Maryland colleges allow scholarship stacking?

If you’re interested in combining multiple scholarships to reduce the cost of college even further, you might be wondering if Maryland colleges allow scholarship stacking. The answer is, it varies by institution. Some colleges do allow scholarship stacking, while others may limit the amount of aid you can receive or not allow it at all. That’s why it’s important to check with the specific colleges you’re interested in attending to determine their policies on scholarship stacking.

To find out if your chosen college allows scholarship stacking, you can contact their financial aid offices or visit their websites to learn more about their scholarship policies and procedures. This can help you better plan your finances and make informed decisions about which scholarships to apply for. So don’t hesitate to reach out and get the information you need to make the most of your scholarship opportunities!

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Mary Brito is enrolled at the prestigious Macaulay Honors College at City University of New York Queens College. She is studying urban studies and political science and aspires to one day work in the nonprofit sector for a social justice organization. Knowing the difficulties, hardships, and struggles that students face on their journey to college, Mary offers insight on the ins and outs of college admissions, what colleges look for in personal statements and supplemental essays, and navigating the scholarship and paying for the college process. For fun, Mary likes to paint, travel, and explore the city with friends. She will also be a programming and residential life assistant for high school students in Building Community at Columbia University.