Morgan State University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~82%
- Middle 50% ACT: 16-21
- Middle 50% SAT: 850-1060
- Average GPA: 3.1
- Below the typical ranges: Admission is still very possible, but merit will likely be limited—focus on strengthening GPA if scholarships matter.
- In the typical ranges: You’re a solid admit and in range for automatic merit. Apply early and consider Honors for bigger opportunities.
- Well above the ranges: You’re competitive for Honors and top scholarships—but those are not automatic and require a strong overall application.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Morgan State University at a Glance
- Automatic merit exists, but it’s relatively modest ($2K–$6K/year)—don’t expect it to dramatically reduce cost on its own.
- The big money is in Honors and competitive scholarships, including potential full-ride opportunities—but these are selective.
- Morgan can be very affordable (low net price), but that depends heavily on need-based aid and FAFSA timing.
- Out-of-state families should plan carefully—there’s no broad OOS tuition waiver to bring costs down automatically.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Morgan State University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 16-21; SAT: 850-1060.
Average net price? About $15,015/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in ACM.
University scholarship portal: https://morgan.academicworks.com
Honors College scholarships page: https://www.morgan.edu/honors-college/scholarships
Family & Consumer Sciences scholarships page: https://www.morgan.edu/family-and-consumer-sciences/the-foundation/scholarships-and-opportunities
University scholarship page: https://www.morgan.edu/institutionalaid
Performance ensembles and opportunities page: https://www.morgan.edu/fine-and-performing-arts/music/performance-opportunities
School of Architecture & Planning scholarships page: https://www.morgan.edu/school-of-architecture-and-planning/students/scholarships
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Morgan State University 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 official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
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.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $8,346 | $19,456 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $19,000 | $19,000 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $27,346 | $38,456 |
Average Federal Net Price: $15,015 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
- 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 2026–2027 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.
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 (2026–2027)
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.
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.
| 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.
https://morgan.academicworks.com
https://www.morgan.edu/finaid/scholarships
https://www.morgan.edu/institutionalaid
🎖 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.
| 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.
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.
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.
🔗 Official Morgan State University Links
Use Morgan State University’s official resources below to confirm admissions details, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines, eligibility rules, and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.morgan.edu/undergradadmissions -
Application Deadlines & First-Year Admissions:
https://www.morgan.edu/office-of-undergraduate-admission-and-recruitment/how-to-apply/freshman-applicants -
Institutional Aid & Automatic Scholarships:
https://www.morgan.edu/institutionalaid -
Scholarships (AcademicWorks Portal & Resources):
https://www.morgan.edu/finaid/scholarships -
Honors College & Honors Scholarships:
https://www.morgan.edu/honors-college/scholarships -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.morgan.edu/tuition-fees -
Net Price Calculator:
https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/morgan -
Common Data Set / Institutional Research:
https://www.morgan.edu/institutional-research