Charles W. Riley Firefighter and Ambulance and Rescue Squad Member Scholarship
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Office of Student Financial Assistance
Covers at least 50% of tuition and fees for active Maryland firefighters and EMS/rescue squad members studying fire service or emergency medical fields; service commitment required.
- How much
- At least 50% of tuition and mandatory fees, up to the highest USM four-year resident tuition and fees
- Who qualifies
- Active career or volunteer firefighter, ambulance or rescue squad member in Maryland
- Maryland resident (parents too, if dependent). Full-time or part-time (6+ credits) undergraduate in an eligible major. Renewal requires a 2.5 GPA. Service obligation in Maryland fire/EMS after graduation.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- For fire service technology, emergency medical technology, fire service management students
- When to apply
- Check dates 2026-27 application opened January 15, 2026; the page lists April 1, 2026 as the 2025-26 closing date and no 2026-27 closing date (MHEC's deadline table says May 1). Awarded by application date.
- How to apply
- Apply online through MDCAPS (MHEC One-App)
- Upload the Riley Service Verification Form, an acceptance letter, and LOSAP/points documentation (volunteers)
- If awarded, sign the promissory note and employment obligation agreement in MDCAPS
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 22, 2026, against the official page (mhec.maryland.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
For Maryland residents actively engaged as career (1,000+ hours in the prior tax year) or volunteer (50+ LOSAP or county/municipal points in two categories in the prior tax year) firefighters, ambulance or rescue squad members, enrolled full- or part-time as undergraduates in an eligible major leading to employment in a fire department, ambulance or rescue squad (fire service technology, emergency medical technology, fire service management, or public safety administration with a fire-service minor/concentration). Annual award: at least 50% of actual tuition and mandatory fees, capped at the highest resident undergraduate tuition and fees at a USM four-year institution (excluding UMGC and UMB). Renewals get priority; within groups, awarded by application date; waitlist if funds run out. Renewable for up to five years total with a 2.5 GPA. Service: serve as a career or volunteer firefighter/EMS member in Maryland, starting within one year of completing the degree; otherwise repay with interest.
More money from Maryland
- Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) GrantUp to 100% of financial need; maximum $18,000 for 2026-27 (minimum $100)
- Delegate Scholarship (Maryland legislative scholarship)$200 to $14,086 for 2026-27
- Senatorial Scholarship (Maryland legislative scholarship)$400 to $14,086 for 2026-27
- Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program$1,000 to $5,000 per year
- Maryland Community College Promise ScholarshipUp to $5,000 per year (remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other aid)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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