Morgan State University Scholarships (2025–2026) — Merit Aid + Honors + Hidden Gems

Morgan State University Scholarships (2025–2026)

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Last Updated on January 8, 2026
This guide is especially helpful for:
  • Maryland families with financial need trying to understand what Morgan costs after grants and scholarships
  • Out-of-state families comparing Morgan to other public universities (and trying to avoid “surprise” nonresident costs)
  • High-achieving students considering the Clara I. Adams Honors College as the fastest path to Morgan’s biggest scholarships
What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
  • Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
  • Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Middle 50% ACT: 16-21
  • Middle 50% SAT: 850-1060
  • Average GPA (HS): 3.1

Source: Morgan State University Office of Admissions ([Not clearly stated in the Tier 1–2 sources used for this build]). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

Morgan State at a Glance

🏆 Full-ride opportunity through the Honors College — competitive awards available (e.g., Martin D. Jenkins Scholarship).
Average Net Price
$15,015
What families actually paid on average
Automatic Merit (OOS)
$2,000–$6,000 / yr
Admission-based; no extra app
Typical Qualifiers
GPA: 3.1 • ACT/SAT:16-21/850-1060 Test-optional: only ~22% of students submit scores
Based on recent recipient patterns*
Superscore Policy
ACT: Not stated • SAT: Not stated
Used for admission & scholarships
Key Deadlines
Scholarship priority: Not stated • Test score update: Not stated • FAFSA: Not stated
Use earlier of admission/scholarship
Honors College
Yes • Competitive • Separate app
Perks: priority advising, academic enrichment, scholarship access
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Automatic: No • Competitive: Yes
Check stacking & fee exclusions
Residency & Waivers
N/A
Any OOS tuition match/waiver programs
– Scholarship GPA/test bands are approximate, based on award text + past recipient data + student profile stats. Numbers can shift with applicant pool and funding.
Sources:
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/dfr/2023/ReportHTML.aspx?unitId=163453
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?163453
https://www.morgan.edu/tuition-fees
https://www.morgan.edu/institutionalaid
https://www.morgan.edu/honors-college/scholarships
https://morgan.academicworks.com

💰 Cost of Attendance at Morgan State University (2025–2026)

These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus at Morgan State University. Additional expenses like transportation, books, and personal costs are not billed by the university but still factor into aid eligibility.

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees $8,346 $19,456
Housing & Meals $19,000 $19,000
Total (Direct/Billed) $27,346 $38,456

Why only these items? We include the costs you typically pay directly to Morgan State — tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. Other indirect costs (like books, transportation, and personal expenses) still matter for your full budget and financial aid eligibility, but they’re not billed by the university the same way.

  • Books & supplies
  • Transportation (local travel + trips home)
  • Personal / misc. expenses (phone, toiletries, laundry, etc.)
💡 Morgan State Cost Playbook (Simple Version)
  1. File the FAFSA early (even if you think you won’t qualify). Many Morgan scholarships are need-based or require demonstrated financial need.
  2. If your student is a strong academic fit, apply to the Honors College. That’s where Morgan’s highest-value scholarships live.
  3. After enrollment, complete AcademicWorks every year. Many students see more internal awards as sophomores/juniors than as freshmen.

Bottom line: Morgan’s best affordability strategy is FAFSA + Honors (if eligible) + AcademicWorks every year.

📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)

The average net price is approximately $15,015 per year after grants and scholarships (federal College Scorecard average for Morgan State University).
This number is a useful reality check — but your student could pay less (or more) depending on need-based aid, merit awards, and whether they live on campus.

Out-of-State Waivers & Regional Savings
  • Academic Common Market (ACM): Morgan State University does participate in the ACM for select undergraduate majors. Eligible students from participating Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states may qualify for in-state tuition if their home state approves the program and major. Availability is limited by major and state — this is not an automatic discount.
  • Other regional exchanges (WUE, MSEP, NBHE): Morgan State does not list participation in these programs for the general undergraduate population.
  • General nonresident tuition waivers: No broad, automatic out-of-state tuition waiver is described in the 2025–2026 tuition and fee schedules.
  • Employment-based tuition waivers: Morgan publishes tuition waivers for eligible employees, dependents, and retirees. These are employment benefits, not general out-of-state discounts.

Bottom line: ACM can be a powerful option for specific majors and states, but it is limited and requires approval. Most out-of-state families should still plan to rely on automatic merit, the AcademicWorks scholarship portal, and (for top students) Honors College scholarships to manage costs.

FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Morgan State University

Why is out-of-state tuition so much higher at Morgan State?
Like most public universities, Morgan State charges higher tuition to non-residents because Maryland residents help support the university through state funding and taxes. The out-of-state difference is mostly in tuition (housing/meal costs are similar either way).

Does Morgan State participate in WUE, ACM, MSEP, or other tuition exchanges?
Morgan State’s official tuition and fee materials do not describe participation in regional tuition exchanges like WUE, ACM, MSEP, or NBHE for the general undergraduate population. If your student is counting on an out-of-state discount, you’ll want to focus on scholarships instead.

Is the $15,015 net price what out-of-state families should expect to pay?
Not necessarily. Net price is a federal average across students, and it’s most useful as a “sanity check.” Out-of-state families without strong aid can pay more, while students with high need, strong academics, and/or Honors scholarship consideration can pay less.

If Morgan State doesn’t offer big out-of-state waivers, how do students lower the bill?
There are three main levers: (1) automatic freshman awards (like Quinn and Bozeman), (2) the AcademicWorks portal (lots of need-based and department/identity-based scholarships), and (3) Honors College scholarships, including the high-value Martin D. Jenkins award.

Are the housing & meal numbers exact?
Morgan publishes housing and dining rates by semester and plan. The estimate above uses a common on-campus combination (a mid-range double room plus the Gold Anytime plan) to give families a realistic planning number.

Sources:
https://www.morgan.edu/bursar/tuition-and-fees/fall-2025-spring-2026
https://www.morgan.edu/tuition-fees
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?163453
https://www.morgan.edu/human-resources/benefits/tuition-waivers

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at Morgan State University (2025–2026)

Morgan State University offers a small set of automatic, admission-based awards for incoming freshmen. There is no separate scholarship application for these awards—students are reviewed automatically based on their admission file.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility / Criteria Separate App? Renewable? Who Typically Wins? Deadline
Troy E. Quinn Merit Award Up to $6,000 per year Incoming freshman; academic strength + demonstrated financial need
Estimated profile: ~3.2–3.7 GPA*; test scores optional 		No Yes — typically renewable (with GPA & enrollment requirements) Admitted freshmen with solid high-school GPAs who file FAFSA early and show financial need With admission (rolling review)
J.C. Bozeman Need Grant Up to $2,000 per year Incoming freshman with financial need; academics considered as part of admission review
Estimated profile: ~3.0+ GPA*; test scores optional 		No Yes — typically renewable (with FAFSA & academic progress) Students who qualify for need-based aid and meet Morgan’s admission standards With admission (rolling review)

*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.

Disclaimer: Award amounts, renewal terms, and selection criteria may change annually depending on funding and applicant pools. Automatic awards may be adjusted if total aid exceeds cost of attendance.

FAQ — Automatic Merit Scholarships at Morgan State University

Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. Both the Troy E. Quinn Merit Award and the J.C. Bozeman Need Grant are awarded automatically based on your admission file. There is no separate scholarship application for these awards.

Are test scores required to qualify?
Morgan State is test-optional. Test scores may be reviewed if submitted, but students can qualify for automatic merit based on GPA, coursework, and overall academic profile without submitting ACT or SAT scores.

How important is financial need for automatic awards?
Very important. Morgan’s institutional aid model blends academics with demonstrated financial need. Filing the FAFSA early is critical for being considered for Quinn and Bozeman awards.

Do these awards stack with other Morgan scholarships?
Sometimes. Automatic awards can often stack with departmental or AcademicWorks scholarships, but higher-value awards (such as Honors College scholarships) may replace or reduce smaller institutional grants.

Is there a hard deadline?
Morgan uses a rolling admission process, and automatic awards are reviewed as applications are completed. Because funding is limited, applying and submitting FAFSA earlier improves your chances.

Can continuing students receive these awards?
These specific awards are targeted to incoming freshmen. Continuing students should focus on the AcademicWorks portal, departmental scholarships, and Honors-only opportunities.

Sources:
https://www.morgan.edu/institutionalaid
https://www.morgan.edu/finaid/scholarships
https://morgan.academicworks.com

🏆 Competitive Institutional Scholarships (Non-Honors)

Morgan State University does not run a single, campus-wide “presidential” or “governor’s” scholarship competition. Instead, most competitive institutional aid for non-Honors students is awarded through the AcademicWorks scholarship portal, which matches students to donor-funded scholarships based on need, academics, major, involvement, and background.

Important: Morgan’s largest scholarships are controlled by the Clara I. Adams Honors College and are covered in the Honors section below. This section focuses on competitive, non-Honors institutional awards.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility / Criteria Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
AcademicWorks Institutional Scholarships (multiple funds) Typically $1,000–$5,000 per year
(Some awards are higher depending on the endowment) 		Completion of the AcademicWorks General Application;
criteria vary by fund (financial need, GPA, major, leadership, service, identity, or geography) 		Yes — AcademicWorks General App Often, fund-specific Students who closely match donor criteria and demonstrate financial need; upper-division students are common recipients Varies by fund (many close Feb–Mar)

Disclaimer: AcademicWorks scholarships are donor-funded and competitive. Award amounts, renewal terms, and availability vary by year and may replace smaller institutional grants rather than stack.

FAQ — Competitive Institutional Scholarships at Morgan State

Is there a single “top” scholarship competition at Morgan State?
No. Morgan does not award competitive aid through one campus-wide scholarship contest. Instead, competitive scholarships are distributed through the AcademicWorks portal and the Honors College.

Do I have to complete AcademicWorks if I already received automatic merit?
Yes. Automatic awards (like Quinn or Bozeman) are separate. AcademicWorks is required to be considered for most competitive institutional and donor-funded scholarships.

Are these scholarships mostly need-based or merit-based?
Most AcademicWorks scholarships are need-based with academic minimums. Many require FAFSA completion and a minimum GPA, even if they also consider leadership or major.

When do students usually win these awards?
Many AcademicWorks scholarships go to continuing or upper-division students who already have a Morgan GPA and demonstrated campus involvement.

If my student is aiming for big money, is this the best section to focus on?
Not necessarily. The largest scholarships at Morgan are Honors-restricted. Families seeking full-tuition or near full-ride awards should focus on the Honors College pathway.

Sources:
https://morgan.academicworks.com
https://www.morgan.edu/finaid/scholarships
https://www.morgan.edu/institutionalaid

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at Morgan State University

Morgan State University has an unusually large number of “hidden gem” scholarships — smaller, targeted awards that don’t get much publicity but add up quickly. Most of these are awarded through the AcademicWorks portal or by individual schools and departments, and many are need-based with very specific eligibility criteria.

CRP Tip: These scholarships are often easier to win than large merit awards because they’re restricted by major, class year, activity, location, or identity. Students who complete the AcademicWorks General Application early tend to match with multiple awards.
✅ AcademicWorks Checklist (Do this before sophomore year)
  • Upload a clean one-page resume (activities, leadership, jobs, community service)
  • Take the short-answer questions seriously — donors often read responses
  • Check whether your major/department has extra requirements beyond the General Application
  • Reapply each year — many scholarships are annual and go to continuing students
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility / Focus Separate App? Renewable? Who Typically Wins? Deadline
AcademicWorks Endowed & Annual Scholarships (multiple) Typically $500–$3,000 per year (some higher) Varies by fund: major, class year, GPA minimums, financial need, leadership, service, geography, or campus involvement Yes — AcademicWorks General App Sometimes (fund-specific) Students who closely match donor criteria; continuing students are common recipients Varies (many close Feb–Mar)
School of Architecture & Planning Scholarships ~$1,000–$5,000 (varies by fund) Architecture, planning, or built-environment majors; minimum GPA and financial need often required Yes — via AcademicWorks Sometimes Upper-division students active in Architecture & Planning programs Department-set deadlines
Family & Consumer Sciences Scholarships ~$500–$2,500 per year Family & Consumer Sciences majors; often junior/senior standing with GPA minimums Yes — department / AcademicWorks Varies Students nearing graduation who meet narrow program criteria Spring cycle
Participation-Based Scholarships (Band, Choir, Athletics, WEAA) ~$500–$3,000 (varies) Active participation in marching band, choir, athletics, student media, or campus organizations; need often required Yes — via AcademicWorks / department Sometimes Students who are visibly involved and maintain eligibility Varies by activity
Geographic & Identity-Based Scholarships ~$500–$2,000 per year Criteria may include county/city of residence, high school attended, alumni affiliation, or community ties Yes — AcademicWorks Often no Students who meet very specific donor requirements Varies

FAQ — Hidden Gem Scholarships at Morgan State

Why does Morgan State have so many small scholarships?
Many of Morgan’s scholarships are donor-funded and targeted to specific majors, programs, communities, or student experiences. Over time, this has created a large catalog of niche awards.

Do these scholarships require financial need?
Yes — many do. Morgan’s AcademicWorks portal explicitly states that most institutional scholarships require demonstrated financial need, which makes FAFSA completion essential.

Are these easier to win than big merit scholarships?
Often, yes. Because eligibility is narrow, the applicant pool is smaller. Students who meet the exact criteria have a much better chance.

Can freshmen win hidden gem scholarships?
Some are open to freshmen, but many are awarded to continuing or upper-division students after they establish a Morgan GPA and campus involvement.

What’s the biggest mistake families make?
Not completing AcademicWorks — or completing it late. Most hidden gems are invisible unless the General Application is on file.

Sources:
https://morgan.academicworks.com
https://www.morgan.edu/family-and-consumer-sciences/the-foundation/scholarships-and-opportunities
https://www.morgan.edu/school-of-architecture-and-planning/students/scholarships
https://www.morgan.edu/finaid/scholarships

🎖 Honors College & Honors Scholarships at Morgan State University

At Morgan State University, the Clara I. Adams Honors College is the primary gateway to the largest and most valuable institutional scholarships. While Morgan offers automatic and portal-based aid, students seeking full-tuition or near full-ride support should strongly consider the Honors pathway.

CRP Insight: At Morgan State, Honors is not just an academic enrichment program — it is where the university concentrates its highest-value scholarships. Applying to Honors early can materially change the cost of attendance.
Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility / Criteria Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Martin D. Jenkins Scholarship Up to full tuition & fees + on-campus room & board
+ up to ~$500 per semester for books 		Incoming freshman admitted to the Clara I. Adams Honors College;
~3.6+ GPA*; strong academic record; demonstrated financial need 		Yes — Honors College application Yes — up to 4 years (maintain ~3.6 GPA & Honors standing) A very small cohort of top incoming students with exceptional academics, strong preparation, and commitment to Honors participation Honors application deadline (typically early spring)
Honors Associate Scholarship Up to $2,000 per year Incoming Honors College students;
~3.4+ GPA*; continued Honors participation 		Yes — Honors College application Yes — renewable with Honors & GPA requirements Strong Honors admits who may not receive the Jenkins award Honors application deadline
Earl S. Richardson Scholarship Up to $2,000 per year Current or transfer Honors students;
~3.4+ GPA*; active Honors engagement 		Yes — Honors College / AcademicWorks Yes — up to 3 years High-performing continuing or transfer students already in Honors Spring application / renewal cycle

*GPA thresholds are estimates based on published criteria and past recipient patterns; actual cutoffs can vary by year.

Disclaimer: Honors scholarships are limited and competitive. Award amounts may replace smaller institutional grants rather than stack if total aid exceeds cost of attendance.

FAQ — Honors College & Scholarships at Morgan State

Is the Honors College worth it financially?
Yes. At Morgan State, Honors is the pathway to the university’s largest scholarships, including full-tuition and near full-ride awards. For high-achieving students, Honors can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket cost.

Do I need to apply to Honors separately?
Yes. Admission to the Clara I. Adams Honors College requires a separate application in addition to applying to Morgan State University.

Are Honors scholarships automatic if I’m admitted to Honors?
No. Honors admission makes you eligible, but scholarships are competitive and limited. Not every Honors student receives a Jenkins or Associate award.

Can Honors scholarships stack with automatic merit?
Sometimes. Smaller automatic awards may stack, but large Honors awards (like Jenkins) often replace other institutional grants to stay within cost-of-attendance limits.

What happens if a student leaves the Honors College?
Most Honors scholarships require continued Honors participation. Leaving Honors can result in reduction or loss of Honors-based funding.

What’s the biggest mistake families make?
Not applying to Honors at all. At Morgan State, skipping Honors often means missing the largest scholarship opportunities on campus.

Sources:
https://www.morgan.edu/honors-college/scholarships
https://www.morgan.edu/honors-college/faqs
https://www.morgan.edu/finaid/scholarships

⭐ College Specialty

Morgan State University is a public HBCU and Carnegie-classified R2 research university with a strong reputation for STEM, professional, and public-service–oriented programs. Families often discover Morgan through its engineering and architecture pathways, but the university is also nationally recognized for producing graduates in education, social work, and urban-focused disciplines that lead directly to workforce and graduate-school opportunities.

Nationally Recognized Strength:
Engineering & Architecture (ABET-accredited programs) — Morgan State is one of the nation’s leading HBCUs for engineering degrees, offering ABET-accredited programs and strong pipelines into federal agencies, defense contractors, and graduate engineering programs.

One thing families miss: students in engineering, architecture, and other professional programs often see a higher concentration of department- and donor-funded internal scholarships once they are enrolled and eligible to match through AcademicWorks.

  • Engineering & Computer Science: Known for civil, electrical, industrial, and computer engineering, with strong placement in government, infrastructure, and technology roles.
  • Architecture & Urban Planning: One of the few HBCUs offering accredited architecture programs, with a focus on urban design, sustainability, and the built environment.
  • Education: Longstanding strength in teacher preparation, school leadership, and educational research, particularly serving urban and regional school systems.
  • Social Work & Public Health: Recognized for community-based training and pathways into public service, nonprofit leadership, and graduate study.

✨ Wrapping It Up

Morgan State University is a public HBCU with broad-access admissions and a deep internal scholarship ecosystem. While sticker price matters — especially for out-of-state families — Morgan’s combination of automatic freshman awards, Honors-only scholarships, and hundreds of need-based “hidden gems” creates real opportunities to lower costs over time.

The biggest mistake families make at Morgan is focusing only on freshman-year aid. Many of Morgan’s most impactful scholarships are awarded after enrollment through AcademicWorks, departmental programs, and the Honors College. Students who stay engaged, maintain eligibility, and reapply each year often see their net cost drop.

Common mistakes families make at Morgan:
  • Assuming freshman-year aid is the full story. Many internal awards are targeted to continuing students.
  • Skipping the Honors application. At Morgan, Honors can be the gateway to the highest-value scholarships.
  • Not completing AcademicWorks (or completing it late). Many “hidden gem” scholarships are only visible through the portal.
  • Assuming Morgan offers broad nonresident tuition exchanges. Morgan does not advertise WUE/MSEP/ACM-style discounts for the general undergraduate population.

If Morgan State is on your list, the smart play is to look beyond the first offer. Compare Morgan side-by-side with similar public universities, factor in Honors eligibility, and pay close attention to need-based and continuing-student awards — that’s where Morgan often delivers its best value.

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