🎓 University of Maryland (College Park) Scholarships & Merit Aid (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on February 28, 2026- Sticker price vs. what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit (e.g., President’s, Dean’s) and competitive awards
- Banneker/Key full-tuition and full-ride tiers (Honors)
- Notes on reciprocity (none for nonresidents) and key dates
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~44–45% (Fall 2024)
- Middle 50% GPA: Not officially published
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: Not published (test-optional era)
- Testing Policy: Test-optional (through Fall 2026)
Source: University System of Maryland IRIS dashboard; UMD Admissions communications.
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University of Maryland at a Glance
The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state’s flagship R1 research university and a top public choice in the Mid-Atlantic. Maryland offers a mix of automatic merit awards and highly competitive scholarships—most notably the Banneker/Key, which can cover full tuition or even the full cost of attendance for exceptional Honors students.
Out-of-state students won’t find regional reciprocity here, but strong applicants can still bring costs down significantly with UMD merit. For Maryland residents, state grants can stack with institutional aid for additional savings.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Maryland (2026–2027)
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
The University of Maryland (UMD) offers an excellent return on investment for in-state students—and strong merit opportunities for high-achieving out-of-state students. Below are the official 2025–2026 estimated annual costs before aid.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $12,008 | $41,974 |
| On-Campus Housing & Meals | $16,436 | $16,436 |
| Estimated Annual Total (table items only) | $28,444 | $58,410 |
Note: Other standard allowances in UMD’s budget—Books & Supplies ($1,250), Transportation ($1,514), and Misc. Personal ($1,200)—are not included in the table to keep it clean but are part of the full financial-aid COA.
Across all undergraduates, families pay an average of $15,833 per year after grants and scholarships (latest federal-data summary). Individual net price varies by income, FAFSA/CADAA eligibility, and merit awards.
🌎 Out-of-State Tuition Policy
UMD does not participate in regional reciprocity programs (e.g., WUE, MSEP, NEBHE). Nonresidents pay the standard out-of-state rate; however, high-achieving students may earn substantial merit scholarships (e.g., President’s, Dean’s, Banneker/Key) that reduce overall cost.
Sources: UMD Admissions/Financial Aid pages (for policy notes) and federal data via College Board BigFuture for net price.
⚙️ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UMD considers every applicant for automatic merit scholarships if they apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline. Awards use GPA, course rigor, and optionally strong test scores. No extra steps, but out-of-state tuition discounts and biggest awards are reserved for top applicants.
| Scholarship | Award Amount/year | Eligibility (est. GPA/test) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship | $12,000–$15,000 | GPA ~3.9–4.0; SAT 1500+ or ACT 34–35 (superscored) | No | Yes (GPA ≥3.20, full-time, up to 8 semesters) | Top 5–10%; all majors | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| Banneker/Key Scholarship | Full in-state tuition (highest level covers tuition, fees, and may include housing; top MD/OOS students) | By Honors invite only; usually GPA ≥3.6, SAT ~1410+/ACT ~32+; rigorous curriculum | No, but Honors interview required | Yes (GPA ≥3.20, 30 credits/year, up to 8 semesters) | Top ~150 Honors admits (about 2% of class) | Nov 1 (Early Action, Honors round) |
| General Merit Awards | $3,000–$10,000 | GPA 3.5–3.8 or strong upward trend; test-optional accepted | No | Yes (GPA ≥3.20, full-time) | Top 20–30% of incoming class (mix of in-state and OOS) | Nov 1 (EA preferred) |
❓FAQ: Automatic Merit Scholarships at UMD
Do we need a separate application?
No—apply by Nov 1 Early Action and all applicants are considered for all merit awards automatically.
Are test scores required?
No, but high scores can help, especially for the President’s and Banneker/Key tiers. Superscore is used.
Weighted or unweighted GPA?
UMD recalculates GPA for strength and rigor (weighted recognized, AP/IB favored).
How long do scholarships last?
Up to eight semesters (four years) if full-time status and minimum GPA (3.20) are maintained.
What else should families know?
No appeals or matching to other schools’ offers. Only one major university merit scholarship per student.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships (UMD Invite-Based Awards)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banneker/Key Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room/board; partial awards ~$8K–$12K/yr | Honors College invitee, GPA ~3.8+, SAT 1410+/ACT 32+, interview required | No (Honors + interview only) | Yes (GPA 3.20, 12 credits/semester, 8 total) | ~150 Honors interview invitees, top 1-2% of class | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| President’s Scholarship | $12,000–$15,000/year | Top applicants, GPA ~3.9–4.0, rigorous courses, optional SAT 1500+/ACT 34+ | No | Yes (GPA 3.20, full-time, 4 years) | Top 5% of Early Action admits | Nov 1 |
| Dean’s Scholarship (MD residents) | $1,500 freshman; $3,000 sophomore; up to $4,500 total | MD resident, GPA 3.4–3.6, strong overall record | No | Yes (GPA 3.2, 12 credits/semester) | Strong in-state students not in top tiers | Nov 1 |
Note: Only one of these “flagship” merit awards is allowed per student, but each can stack with need-based aid, alumni, and outside scholarships.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Uncollapsed)
Do students need a separate application? No; Early Action application and (for B/K) Honors invite and interview are sufficient.
Can out-of-state students win? Yes—President’s and Banneker/Key go to OOS and MD. Dean’s is Maryland-only.
Do these require high test scores? Not required, but most winners report 1400+ SAT or 32+ ACT.
Who wins a Banneker/Key? Honors invitees with top academics, leadership, and interview performance.
Can you stack these with other aid? Yes, but UMD only allows one major university merit scholarship per student (may combine with need-based and private scholarships).
🎓 Honors College (University of Maryland)
All UMD applicants are automatically considered for Honors College. If invited, students get small seminars, priority registration, exclusive research and travel grants, dedicated advising—the pathway to UMD’s largest scholarships.
| Scholarship / Benefit | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banneker/Key Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room/board, book allowance, or partial $8K–$12K/yr | Honors invitee, GPA ~3.8+, SAT ≥1410/ACT ≥32, rigorous curriculum; by invitation/interview | No (Honors review triggers interview) | Yes (4 years, 3.2 GPA, 30 credits/year) | Top Honors invitees (≈1–2% of class) | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| Honors Research Grant | Up to $500/project | Current Honors student; project proposal with faculty endorsement | Yes—departmental application each semester | No (project-based) | Active Honors students in research/thesis | Rolling (per project) |
| Goff Scholarship (ILS only) | $1,000 (non-renewable) | Honors student in Integrated Life Sciences; GPA ≥3.75; 30–60 UMD credits; pre-med | Yes—Goff short application, recommendation | No | 1–2 ILS students per year | Dec 1 |
Honors College FAQ
Does my student have to apply separately for Honors? No. Every UMD applicant (by Nov 1) is considered. The invitation is based on full transcript, GPA, essay, and course rigor.
Is a high SAT/ACT necessary? Test-optional, but most admits report 1480–1560 SAT or 32–35 ACT. Rigor and essay are prioritized.
What GPA do you need to stay? Minimum 3.00 to remain in Honors; 3.20 to keep Banneker/Key or graduate with Honors citation.
Are there Honors-only scholarships? Yes: Banneker/Key is invite-only for Honors, plus grants like Honors Research Grant and Goff Scholarship (ILS program). Departmental and college-level awards are also open to active Honors students.
Are Honors classes harder? Not harder—smaller, richer discussions and more support. Students say personal advising is a major benefit.
Do Honors students get extra travel/research funding? Yes, via the Honors Research Grant, major/faculty grants, and college-specific support for conferences and presentations.
⭐ College Specialty
The University of Maryland (College Park) is one of those flagship public universities that quietly checks a lot of “top tier” boxes — especially if your student wants big-time academics and real career pipelines. UMD is nationally recognized for engineering and computing, and it’s also a standout for business, public policy, and communications — with Washington, D.C. basically in its backyard. For students who want internships during the school year (not just summer), UMD’s location is a serious advantage.
A. James Clark School of Engineering — widely recognized for strong undergraduate engineering programs, hands-on research opportunities, and recruiting pipelines into major employers and federal labs in the D.C. region.
- Computer Science & Cybersecurity: A major destination for students interested in software, AI, and security — with unusually strong access to internships and careers tied to the federal and defense ecosystem.
- Business (Robert H. Smith School of Business): Well-known for analytics, supply chain, finance, and consulting pathways, with heavy recruiting and alumni presence in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
- Public Policy & Government (School of Public Policy): A natural fit for students who want real-world policy experience, especially with D.C. internships available during the semester.
- Journalism & Communications (Philip Merrill College of Journalism): Strong training plus proximity to national media and government institutions — a big advantage for reporting, media, and public affairs careers.