Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Office of Student Financial Assistance
Last-dollar scholarship up to $5,000 a year covering remaining tuition and fees at your Maryland community college, for students under the income limits.
- How much
- Up to $5,000 per year (remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other aid)
- Who qualifies
- Maryland high school graduate or GED recipient eligible for in-state tuition. Income limit $100,000 AGI (single/single-parent household) or $150,000 (married/two-parent household). GPA 2.3 high school or 2.5 community college. No prior bachelor's or associate degree (per MHEC FAQ). At least 6 credits/semester for credit programs.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (FAFSA); Maryland residents eligible for in-state tuition who can't file a FAFSA (including undocumented students) file the MHEC One-App instead
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Check dates Annual; FAFSA or MHEC One-App by about April 1 (April 1, 2026 for 2025-26; April 15 in earlier years). Non-credit applicants: rolling.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (or MHEC One-App if you can't file a FAFSA) by the deadline and contact your local community college
- Submit GPA and income documents to the college (not MDCAPS)
- Non-credit applicants also complete the Promise Non-Credit Application in MDCAPS (rolling)
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + transcript
- Last checked
- October 22, 2026, against the official page (mhec.maryland.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Covers tuition and mandatory fees left after federal and state aid, up to $5,000 a year, at a Maryland community college for credit certificate or associate programs, credit or non-credit sequences leading to licensure/certification, or registered apprenticeships. Must be a Maryland high school graduate or GED recipient eligible for in-state tuition. GPA: high school seniors need an unweighted 2.3 (end of first semester or end of senior year); current/former community college students need a 2.5 college GPA; GED applicants submit their exam; those out of high school 5+ years are exempt from the transcript. Income: adjusted gross income no more than $100,000 (single / single-parent household) or $150,000 (married / two-parent household). Must attend the community college in your county or region unless it doesn't offer your program; credit students take at least 6 credits a semester. Renewal: stay eligible for in-state tuition, refile FAFSA/One-App by April 1, stay under the income limits, keep a 2.5 GPA and complete required credits. Recipients sign award conditions (MHEC's page links them).
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
- Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance (EA) GrantUp to $3,000 per year (minimum $400)
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
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.