UMES is Maryland’s 1890 land-grant HBCU, tucked in Princess Anne on the Eastern Shore. That land-grant status matters for your wallet: it opens doors to federal agriculture money most colleges simply can’t offer. Admissions is rolling and test-optional, with a 2.5 GPA as the target. The fall priority date is November 15 and the regular fall deadline is February 15.
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at UMES (Read This First)
The Merit Grant is a one-time award. Freshmen can get up to $5,000, but it does not renew. Plan years two through four without it.
Where you live sets your price. Maryland residents, Delaware and Virginia Eastern Shore residents, and everyone else each pay a different tuition rate.
Don’t bank on the HBCU Initiative yet. The out-of-state discount for students from states without an HBCU no longer appears on UMES’s admissions pages. Get written confirmation before you count it.
The big money needs its own application. USDA 1890 Scholars (early March), the David A. Scott Scholarship (mid-spring), and Honors (Feb 1 priority) are all separate from the admissions application.
Maryland families: FAFSA by March 1. That’s the state priority deadline for Maryland grants.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Maryland Eastern Shore is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 16-19; SAT: 850-1010.
Average net price? About $14,035/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes. Institutional waivers are available.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Maryland Eastern Shore: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Maryland Eastern Shore has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$400 to $1,100 more than the in-state total below.$700 to $1,700 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$21,641
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$9,681
Housing & meals (typical)
$11,960
Total billed cost
$21,641
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$33,881
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$21,921
Housing & meals (typical)
$11,960
Total billed cost
$33,881
That is $12,240 more per year than Maryland residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $14,035 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
UMES has three full-time undergraduate tuition tiers for 2026-27: Maryland residents pay $9,681 in tuition and mandatory fees, Delaware residents and residents of Virginia's Eastern Shore pay the Eastern Shore Regional Rate of $12,753, and other nonresidents pay $21,921. UMES also launched an HBCU Initiative in Fall 2024 that reduced tuition for out-of-state students from states and U.S. territories without an HBCU. As of October 2026 that policy no longer appears on UMES admissions pages or in the 2026-27 fee schedule, so confirm current availability with the Office of Admissions (umesadmissions@umes.edu) before counting on it.
Three Tuition Tiers: Which One Is Yours?
UMES charges three different full-time undergraduate rates for 2026-27. The middle one is the one most out-of-state families miss.
Who you are
Tuition & Fees
Full On-Campus Budget*
Maryland resident
$9,681
$28,077
Delaware or Virginia Eastern Shore resident (Regional Rate)
$12,753
$31,149
Everyone else (nonresident)
$21,921
$40,317
*UMES’s own 2026-27 cost-of-attendance budget, which adds books, transportation, and personal costs on top of the bill.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Why does out-of-state cost more than twice as much?
Maryland taxpayers subsidize tuition for Maryland residents. Out-of-state students pay $21,921 in tuition and fees compared with $9,681 for residents. Housing and meals cost the same for everyone, so the whole gap comes from tuition.
What is the Eastern Shore Regional Rate, and who gets it?
It’s a middle tuition tier for Delaware residents and residents of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. It works out to $12,753 a year in tuition and fees, about $9,200 less than the standard out-of-state rate. Your residency gets classified at admission, so check that it’s right on the acceptance letter.
Does UMES still give in-state tuition to students from states without an HBCU?
UMES started an HBCU Initiative in Fall 2024 that cut tuition for students from states and territories without an HBCU. As of October 2026, the policy no longer shows up on UMES’s admissions pages or in the 2026-27 fee schedule. Email umesadmissions@umes.edu, ask whether it applies to your student, and get the answer in writing before you budget around it.
What does a full year really cost, not just the bill?
UMES’s 2026-27 budget for a Maryland resident living on campus is $28,077. That includes about $1,290 for books, $2,680 for transportation, and $2,360 for personal costs. Those extras aren’t on the UMES bill, but they still come out of your pocket.
Why is there a book charge on the bill?
UMES automatically enrolls undergrads in the Hawk Pack program, which delivers course materials for $23 per credit hour. Your student can opt out if buying books on their own is cheaper.
Is the average net price really around $14,000?
That’s the federal average families paid after grants and scholarships. Families with more need often pay less. Out-of-state families without much aid will pay closer to the full $40,000 budget.
November 15: UMES fall priority application date. The Merit Grant is decided at admission, so applying early helps.
February 1: Henson Honors Program priority date.
March 1: Maryland FAFSA priority deadline for state grants, and the last recommended date for Honors.
Early March: USDA 1890 National Scholars application closes.
Mid-spring: David A. Scott Scholarship application (ag and science majors).
Parent rule of thumb: get the UMES application in by Thanksgiving and the FAFSA in by Christmas. Everything else builds on those two.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
UMES’s automatic money is modest and mostly front-loaded. The UMES Merit Grant is decided at admission based on GPA, with no separate form, and is worth up to $5,000 one time. UMES is test-optional, and the grant is GPA-based. Wor-Wic Community College graduates get their own automatic transfer award.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
UMES Merit Grant
📅 Deadline: Decided at admission (rolling); UMES fall priority application date is Nov 15 Non-Renewable
$5,000
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
UMES doesn't publish a stacking rule for the Merit Grant. It's applied directly to tuition and fees, and total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
This is UMES's version of automatic merit. It's decided when your student is admitted, based on high school GPA, and it shows up in the Hawk Portal and on the acceptance letter. Freshmen can get up to $5,000, applied straight to tuition and fees. The catch: it's a one-time award. It does not renew for sophomore year, so budget years two through four without it.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-time freshmen whose GPA falls in UMES's merit range. UMES doesn't publish the GPA bands or dollar tiers, so the acceptance letter is where you'll see the number.
📅 Deadline: At admission (confirm 2026-27 availability with admissions) ✓ Renews (2 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Under the published policy, the reduced rate could not be combined with other UMES tuition-only waivers, but grants and outside scholarships could still apply up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UMES launched this in Fall 2024: out-of-state students from states and U.S. territories without an HBCU could get a reduced tuition rate for up to four straight years, applied automatically at admission. Heads up for 2026-27: the policy no longer appears on UMES admissions pages, and the 2026-27 fee schedule and cost-of-attendance budgets list only in-state, regional, and out-of-state rates. Before you build a budget around it, email umesadmissions@umes.edu, ask whether the reduced rate applies to your student, and get the answer in writing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Under the original policy: U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering as first-time freshmen or transfers, from a state or territory without an HBCU, enrolled full-time. Students had to keep at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and once the reduced rate was lost it could not be reinstated.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Wor-Wic Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: At transfer admission ✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$3,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with tuition-only scholarships, tuition remission, or tuition waivers. Prorated for part-time enrollment.
💡
Strategic Detail
If your student finishes a degree at Wor-Wic Community College (May 2021 or later) and transfers to UMES, there is a $3,500-a-year award waiting: $1,750 a semester for up to six semesters. There's no GPA cutoff for the base award. The one rule to know: it can't be combined with other tuition-based help like tuition-only scholarships, tuition remission, or waivers, and it's prorated if your student drops below full time.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Wor-Wic graduates from May 2021 on who enroll at UMES and send a final Wor-Wic transcript showing the degree date.
Data last verified Oct 12, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: UMES doesn’t publish the GPA bands or dollar tiers for the Merit Grant. Your student’s exact amount shows up in the Hawk Portal and on the acceptance letter.
Automatic Merit FAQs (University of Maryland Eastern Shore)
Does UMES have automatic merit scholarships?
Yes, but it’s smaller than many families expect. The UMES Merit Grant is awarded at admission based on GPA and is worth up to $5,000 for freshmen, applied directly to tuition and fees.
Does the Merit Grant renew every year?
No. It’s a one-time award. If your student gets $5,000 freshman year, sophomore year starts without it. Budget for that up front.
Does my student need SAT or ACT scores for merit?
No. UMES is test-optional for admission, and the Merit Grant is based on GPA. Scores do matter for the USDA 1890 Scholars Program, which requires a 21 ACT or 1080 SAT.
What happened to the HBCU Initiative out-of-state discount?
UMES launched it in Fall 2024 for students from states without an HBCU. It’s no longer listed on UMES’s admissions pages or in the 2026-27 fee schedule, so confirm with admissions before you count on it.
Is there automatic money for transfer students?
Yes, if your student graduated from Wor-Wic Community College in May 2021 or later. They get $3,500 a year for up to six semesters, but it can’t be combined with other tuition-only scholarships or waivers.
How do we find out what my student got?
Check the Hawk Portal and the acceptance letter. That’s where UMES lists the Merit Grant amount and your student’s residency classification.
UMES doesn’t run a big presidential-style scholarship competition for freshmen. Its largest competitive awards come from its status as Maryland’s 1890 land-grant university. That means federal agriculture money, and it’s aimed squarely at students heading into food, agriculture, and natural science careers.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UMES?
Aid Type
Stacks?
UMES Parent Translation
USDA 1890 National Scholars
Usually replaces
It covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board, so expect it to take the place of overlapping UMES tuition awards.
David A. Scott Scholarship
Coordinates
It’s sized to financial need, so it fills the gap rather than piling on top of other aid.
Wor-Wic Transfer Awards
No
They can’t be combined with tuition-only scholarships, tuition remission, or waivers.
Department and donor awards
Often yes
These are the gap fillers. Some departments limit students to one award a year.
Pell and Maryland state grants
Usually
Need-based aid fills in after merit. Maryland families need the FAFSA in by March 1.
If your student is pointed toward agriculture, food science, environmental science, nutrition, or pre-vet, UMES quietly becomes one of the better scholarship bets on the East Coast. If they’re aiming at other majors, the competitive pool here is thin, and need-based aid plus department awards will do most of the work.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
David A. Scott Scholarship Program (formerly UMES Land-Grant Scholarship)
📅 Deadline: Mid-spring (2026 application closed; watch for the next cycle) ✓ Renews (2.8 GPA, 4 yrs)
$15,000–$25,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Approved School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences majors only.
🏫 2.8+ GPA👥 ~85 students funded in fall 2024 winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Awards are sized to financial need, so they coordinate with your student's other aid rather than piling on top of it. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UMES and get accepted into an approved School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences major. Then submit the separate David A. Scott Scholarship application when it opens in the spring (the 2026 application is closed). File the FAFSA, since awards are need-based. Questions go to umeslandgrantscholarship@umes.edu.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
This used to be called the UMES Land-Grant Scholarship. It's funded by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and pays up to $15,000 a year for Maryland residents or up to $25,000 a year for out-of-state students, based on financial need. It's for students in approved majors in the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, such as agribusiness, animal and poultry science, environmental science, dietetics, child development, fashion merchandising, and pre-vet. It renews as long as your student keeps a 2.8 GPA, makes progress toward the degree, and takes part in the program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: U.S. citizens entering as freshmen or transfers with at least a 2.8 unweighted GPA, accepted into an approved SANS major, taking at least 15 credits a semester, and planning a career in the food and agricultural sciences.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
Wor-Wic Presidential Scholarship (Transfer)
📅 Deadline: At transfer admission (limited slots each year) ✓ Renews (3 yrs)
$8,585/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~3 winners/yr🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with tuition-only scholarships, tuition remission, or tuition waivers. Prorated for part-time enrollment.
📄
How to Apply
Finish the Wor-Wic degree, transfer to UMES, and send the final Wor-Wic transcript to UMES Financial Aid. Ask UMES Financial Aid or Wor-Wic transfer advising how the three recipients are chosen, since the selection process is not spelled out publicly.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Each year UMES picks three Wor-Wic graduates with at least a 3.0 GPA for its Presidential scholarship: $8,585 a year ($4,292.50 a semester), renewable for up to six semesters. That's a big step up from the standard $3,500 Wor-Wic award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Three Wor-Wic graduates per year (May 2021 or later) with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Data last verified Oct 12, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
What does the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program cover?
Full tuition, fees, books, and room and board, plus a paid summer internship at USDA that can lead to a full-time job. The catch is a service commitment: one year working for USDA for each year of funding.
Who qualifies for USDA 1890 Scholars?
U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 21 ACT or 1080 SAT who are studying agriculture, food, natural resources, or a related field such as pre-vet or computer science. High school seniors and rising college sophomores and juniors can apply. The 2026 window closed March 8.
How much is the David A. Scott Scholarship?
Up to $15,000 a year for Maryland residents and up to $25,000 a year for out-of-state students, based on financial need. It requires a 2.8 GPA, an approved School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences major, and at least 15 credits a semester.
Can my student get both USDA and David A. Scott?
Both are funded through USDA and both are need- or cost-based, so expect them to coordinate rather than stack. If your student is offered both, ask UMES Financial Aid how they combine before accepting.
Is there a big competitive scholarship for transfer students?
Yes, for Wor-Wic Community College graduates. UMES picks three each year with at least a 3.0 GPA for the Presidential scholarship: $8,585 a year for up to six semesters.
What should my student prepare for these applications?
Essays on career plans, transcripts, and proof of leadership and service. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder help organize all of it.
🧠 Parent Strategy: UMES Money Lives in Department Pages
UMES doesn’t have one big scholarship portal where every award shows up. A lot of the best money is posted on individual department pages, so your student has to go looking.
Check your student’s major’s department page (Education, Rehabilitation, and PGA Golf Management all list their own awards).
Look at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF listings on the same Financial Aid page. These are open to HBCU students.
Save confirmation emails and screenshots of everything your student submits.
Parent translation: the admissions application gets you the Merit Grant. Everything else takes an extra form.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards don’t get advertised much, but a couple of them are serious money. A full-tuition award for future teachers is sitting on the Education department’s page.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Hazel Endowment Scholarship (Education)
📅 Deadline: Not posted; contact the Department of Education Non-Renewable
Full Tuition
full tuition
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Education majors; priority to the Eastern Shore of MD and VA and Sussex County, DE.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Full-tuition awards usually coordinate with other tuition aid rather than stacking on top of it.
📄
How to Apply
Download the undergraduate Hazel application from the Department of Education's Financial Aid and Scholarships page, add an academic or professional recommendation, write the short essay, and be ready for an interview. UMES doesn't post a deadline, so email the department early in the year.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
This one is hiding on the Department of Education's page, and it's big: Hazel scholars get annual full-tuition awards. The money goes to undergraduate and graduate education students, with priority for students from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and Sussex County, Delaware. If your student wants to teach, especially if you live nearby, ask about this as soon as they're admitted.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Education students admitted to their program with strong grades, an academic or professional recommendation, financial need, a short essay, and a good interview. Students from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and Sussex County, Delaware get priority.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
UMES Foundation Scholarships (General Application)
📅 Deadline: Set each year; posted on the Financial Aid Scholarships page Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Donor scholarships are usually added on top of other aid, up to the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Watch the Financial Aid Scholarships page each year for the Foundation Scholarships application (the 2026-27 form is posted there) and submit it as soon as it opens.
💡
Strategic Detail
Once a year UMES posts one application for its Foundation scholarships, the donor-funded awards that don't get much advertising. Amounts vary by fund and aren't published. It's a single form, so it's worth your student's time every year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
UMES students who actually submit the yearly Foundation application. Individual funds set their own criteria.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Department of Rehabilitation Scholarships (Merit / Aspire)
📅 Deadline: Approved monthly through Oct 31 (fall) and March 30 (spring) ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Full-time Rehabilitation majors only; one department award per year.
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Students can receive only one department award per year, but it can be combined with outside scholarships and federal aid.
📄
How to Apply
Fill out the department's online scholarship application (linked on the Rehabilitation financial aid page), join the Student Rehabilitation Association, and apply early in the semester, since awards are approved monthly until funds are gone.
Selection criteria: Departmental committee review emphasizing GPA, personal statements, and alignment with program goals.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
If your student majors in a Rehabilitation program, the department runs its own scholarship pot. Merit awards are for students with a 3.5 or higher, the Aspire award covers the 3.0 to 3.49 range, and there are separate need-based and academic recovery categories. Awards are reviewed once a month until the money runs out, so applying early in the semester matters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Full-time Rehabilitation majors who are active in the Student Rehabilitation Association and commit to recruitment, leadership, or outreach work with the department.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Early October (Oct 2, 2026 for 2026-27) Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.5+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added to other aid up to the cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Download the fillable application from the Financial Aid Scholarships page, complete and sign it, and email it to financialaid@umes.edu along with a 1 to 2 page report on how the scholarship will help you.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Funded by author James Patterson, this scholarship gives preference to students with financial need who want to become teachers or writers, with a 2.5 GPA minimum. The application opens in the fall for the current school year and closes early (Oct 2, 2026 this year), so current students should look for it in September.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time UMES students with a 2.5+ GPA, with preference for students with financial need who plan to teach or write. If there aren't enough of those applicants, other full-time students who meet the GPA can be considered.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation Scholarship (PGA Golf Management)
📅 Deadline: Not posted; contact the PGA Golf Management program Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ PGA Golf Management majors only.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Ask the PGA Golf Management program how it combines with other aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UMES as a PGA Golf Management major, then call the program (410-651-7790) and ask whether the Caves Valley scholarship is being awarded this year and how to be considered.
💡
Strategic Detail
UMES lists this one on its PGA Golf Management page. The Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation set it up in 2014 with a five-year, $100,000 commitment for students in UMES's golf management program, and earlier Caves Valley scholars received very generous support. UMES doesn't post the current amount or how recipients are chosen, so ask the program directly.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students admitted to the PGA Golf Management major. Selection details are not published.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Pro-Duffers Scholarship (PGA Golf Management)
📅 Deadline: Not posted; contact the PGA Golf Management program Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ PGA Golf Management majors only.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Ask the PGA Golf Management program how it combines with other aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UMES as a PGA Golf Management major, then ask the program (410-651-7790) whether the Pro-Duffers scholarship is open this year and how to be considered.
💡
Strategic Detail
Also listed on UMES's PGA Golf Management page. The Pro-Duffers, a Washington, D.C.-area golf group, partnered with the Carter family foundation to fund scholarships for UMES golf management students, starting with a five-year, $100,000 commitment. Current award amounts aren't published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students in the PGA Golf Management major. Selection details are not published.
Data last verified Oct 12, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Money the college does not control. Federal programs, city promise funds, foundations, and employers. The college may help you apply, but someone else writes the check, and these almost always stack with the college's own awards.
Outside MoneyFull RideApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Early March (2026 window closed March 8; typically opens in January) ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance plus paid USDA internships
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Agriculture, food, and natural resource majors; U.S. citizens; USDA service commitment.
This covers the full bill, so expect it to replace overlapping UMES tuition awards. Ask UMES Financial Aid how it coordinates with anything else your student has been offered.
📄
How to Apply
Apply online through USDA during the winter window (the 2026 window closed March 8). You'll need official transcripts, test scores, and two 250 to 500 word essays on your career plans and why you chose this field. List UMES as your 1890 university.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
This is the one to know about if your student is headed toward agriculture, food, or natural resources. Because UMES is one of the 19 historically Black 1890 land-grant universities, its students can compete for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program: full tuition, fees, books, and room and board, renewable each year, plus a paid summer internship at USDA that can turn into a full-time job. The trade-off is real: scholars owe USDA one year of service for each year of funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: U.S. citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA and a 21 ACT or 1080 SAT, accepted to or attending an 1890 land-grant university, studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or a related field such as pre-vet or computer science. High school seniors and rising college sophomores and juniors can apply, and leadership and community service count.
Data last verified Oct 12, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
What is the Hazel Endowment?
It’s an annual full-tuition scholarship for education students, with priority for students from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and Sussex County, Delaware. It requires an essay, a recommendation, and an interview. UMES doesn’t post a deadline, so contact the Department of Education early.
Why don’t some of these awards show dollar amounts?
Many donor and department funds change year to year, and UMES doesn’t publish the amounts. We’d rather tell you that than guess. Ask the department directly.
Are there scholarships for golf management students?
Yes. UMES lists the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation Scholarship and the Pro-Duffers Scholarship for PGA Golf Management majors. Call the program at 410-651-7790 to ask what’s being awarded this year.
Can current UMES students apply for these?
Yes. The Foundation application, the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship, and the Rehabilitation awards are all open to students already enrolled. The Patterson application closes in early October, so watch for it in September.
Can my student stack these with other aid?
Most donor awards add on top of other aid up to the cost of attendance. Exceptions: the Rehabilitation department allows one award per year, and full-tuition awards like Hazel usually coordinate with other tuition aid.
UMES has an Honors Program, not a separate Honors College. The Richard A. Henson Honors Program is a small, selective community, and getting in takes its own application on top of the regular UMES application. Maryland residents get preference.
Typical Admit: 3.3+ GPA, 1100+ SAT (math plus reading) or 25+ ACT, top 10% of the class
What to Send: The Honors application, a resume of leadership and service, and an essay of about 250 words
Deadlines: February 1 for priority consideration; UMES encourages applying no later than March 1
Honors Program Scholarships & Perks
App Required
Richard A. Henson Honors Program (Honors-Only Scholarships)
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA✎ ~25 ACT✎ ~1100 SAT
✚
Stacking & Combining
Honors-only scholarships are added on top of your student's other aid when awarded. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UMES first. Then send the separate Henson Honors application with a resume and a personal essay of about 250 words on why you want honors at UMES. Applications in by Feb 1 get priority, and UMES encourages applying no later than March 1.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
The Henson Honors Program is UMES's selective honors community, and it takes a separate application. UMES doesn't publish a set scholarship amount for joining. What it does say is that some sizable scholarships are open only to honors students, and members get priority registration (same time as seniors), honors housing in Murphy Annex, honors advising, and funding for travel to present research at conferences.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Incoming freshmen who typically have a 3.3+ GPA, an 1100+ SAT (math plus reading) or 25+ ACT, a top 10% class rank, and a real record of leadership and service. Maryland residents get preference.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Marguerite Daugherty Miles and Howard S. K. Miles Scholarship (Honors)
📅 Deadline: Nomination-based; contact the Honors Program Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Henson Honors juniors and seniors in STEAM or Human Ecology from economically disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds.
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
UMES doesn't publish an amount or stacking rule; ask the Honors Program office.
📄
How to Apply
Join the Henson Honors Program, keep a 3.0+ GPA, and let the Honors office know you're interested by junior year. Recipients are nominated and reviewed by the program.
💡
Strategic Detail
This one rewards honors students later in college. The Miles Scholarship goes to Henson Honors juniors and seniors majoring in a STEAM field (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, math) or Human Ecology who keep a 3.0 or higher and come from an economically disadvantaged or under-represented background. Students are nominated, so it pays to stay on the honors office's radar.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Active honors juniors and seniors in STEAM or Human Ecology with a 3.0+ GPA from economically disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds.
Data last verified Oct 12, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
UMES doesn’t publish a set scholarship amount for honors students. It does say some sizable scholarships are open only to honors members, and it lists the Miles Scholarship for juniors and seniors.
Deadline Note: UMES’s admissions office tells students to apply for Honors early in the fall. The Honors office gives priority to applications received by February 1. Treat early fall as your real target.
What Honors Gets You (Beyond Money)
Priority registration: Honors students sign up for classes at the same time as seniors.
Honors housing: The Honors Residential Learning Community in Murphy Annex.
Travel funding: Money to present research at conferences.
Small classes: Discussion-based honors courses and honors-specific advising.
Honors Program FAQs (UMES)
Is Honors admission automatic?
No. Your student applies to UMES first, then sends a separate Honors application with a resume and a short essay. Admission is selective.
Does Honors come with a guaranteed scholarship?
No set amount is published. Honors membership opens the door to honors-only scholarships, such as the Miles Scholarship for juniors and seniors in STEAM or Human Ecology.
Can out-of-state students join?
Yes, but Maryland residents get preference. Out-of-state students should apply by the February 1 priority date.
What if my student doesn’t have test scores?
UMES admission is test-optional, but the Honors Program’s typical profile includes SAT or ACT scores. If your student has a score at or above the benchmark, it’s worth sending.
Is Honors worth it if there’s no big scholarship?
For many students, yes. Registering at the same time as seniors makes it much easier to graduate on time, and every semester saved is real money.
UMES is small, about 3,000 students, and it’s not trying to be everything to everyone. Its strengths grow out of its roots as Maryland’s 1890 land-grant HBCU: agriculture and food science, hands-on career programs, and health professions. A few of its programs you won’t find at any other HBCU.
Nationally Known Program: PGA Golf Management. UMES has the only PGA of America-accredited golf management degree at an HBCU. It blends a hospitality and tourism management major with PGA training and a 16-month internship at golf facilities. UMES says every graduate of the program finds a career in the field, and donor scholarships are set aside for these students.
Agriculture and Food Sciences: As an 1890 land-grant school, UMES gives ag, food, environmental science, nutrition, and pre-vet students access to USDA-funded scholarships that most colleges simply don’t have.
Hospitality and Tourism Management: Offered on the main campus and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville.
Aviation, Engineering, and Construction Management Technology: Career-focused programs with clear job pipelines. Engineering students can also earn a dual degree with Salisbury University.
Health Professions: Doctoral pharmacy and physical therapy programs and a physician assistant program, which give undergrads a direct path into graduate health training.
Coming Soon (Maybe): UMES is building Maryland’s first veterinary school. Its accreditation site visit took place in June 2026, and UMES hopes to admit the first class as early as summer 2027 if it’s approved. Pre-vet students should keep an eye on this.
🔗 Official University of Maryland Eastern Shore Links
Use UMES’s official pages below to double-check admissions details, tuition, scholarship rules, and deadlines. These are the final word on what your student qualifies for.
Here’s the honest picture of UMES. For Maryland families, it’s one of the most affordable four-year options in the state. For families in Delaware and on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the regional rate saves about $9,200 a year compared with standard out-of-state tuition. The automatic merit is small and only lasts one year, so don’t let a $5,000 Merit Grant fool you into thinking year two will cost the same.
Where UMES really shines is for one particular kind of student: the kid who wants to work in agriculture, food science, environmental science, nutrition, or vet medicine. As Maryland’s 1890 land-grant HBCU, UMES opens the door to a USDA full ride and the David A. Scott Scholarship, and few colleges anywhere can offer that. Add the only PGA golf management degree at an HBCU, a full-tuition award for future teachers, and a vet school that may open soon, and this small campus in Princess Anne has some very specific advantages.
The game plan: apply by November 15, file the FAFSA early (March 1 at the latest for Maryland families), and if your student fits the ag and science profile, put the USDA and David A. Scott applications on the calendar now. If you’re out of state, call admissions about the HBCU Initiative before you make any decisions.
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Leo Dimilo
Leo founded CollegeReadyParent after going through the college process with his own daughter. He writes plain-English guides for middle-income and first-generation families so they can find the real price of college without a paywall or a sales pitch.
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