University of Maryland Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on June 18, 2026
What This Page Covers:- 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: ~45%
- Middle 50% ACT: 30
- Middle 50% SAT: 1340
- Average GPA: 4.2
🧭 Quick Admissions Strategy (based on where your student falls)
- Below the typical ranges: This is a reach—especially for out-of-state. Build a balanced list and don’t rely on merit here.
- In the typical ranges: Admission is possible, but merit is not guaranteed. Strong rigor and early application matter.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in range for Honors and top merit consideration, but competition is still very strong at the top.
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Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Maryland at a Glance
🏆 Full tuition available (A. James Clark Scholars Program & Banneker/Key Scholarship)
Average Net Price
$15,833/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$1,500–$20,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
13 opportunities
2 automatic · 1 competitive · 7 hidden gem · 3 honors
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 1 • FAFSA: Feb 15
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
A. James Clark Scholars Program & Banneker/Key Scholarship
Honors College
Honors Program Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at University of Maryland (Read This First)
- November 1 priority deadline is critical—miss it, and you’re largely out of the running for major merit and Honors consideration.
- The Banneker/Key (full tuition/full ride) is extremely competitive and tied to Honors—this is not something to count on.
- No reciprocity for out-of-state students—if merit doesn’t come through, the price can jump quickly.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Maryland is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 30; SAT: 1340.
Average net price? About $15,833/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in none.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Maryland 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 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) |
$12,008 |
$41,974 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$16,436 |
$16,436 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$28,444 |
$58,410 |
Average Federal Net Price: $15,833 — 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.
🌎 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
🧠 Superscore Policy: UMD superscores both SAT and ACT (highest SAT section scores across dates, highest ACT composite).
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.
Automatic
President’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: by April 1
✓ Renews (3.2 GPA, 8 yrs)
$2,000–$20,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
You can hold only one of UMD's five marquee merit awards — Banneker/Key, President's, Dean's, Frederick Douglass, or Maryland Transfer — but the President's stacks freely with outside scholarships and need-based aid up to the cost of attendance. Just know that big private wins may shrink the President's award if total aid exceeds COA.
💡
Strategic Detail
Sweet spot of UMD merit aid for top admits — covers $2,000 to $20,000 per year, renewable for up to four years (eight semesters total). Both in-state and out-of-state students compete in the same pool, and there is no separate application: hit the Nov 1 Early Action deadline with your full admissions packet and you are automatically considered. UMD recalculates GPA for course rigor (AP, IB, honors), so a weighted transcript matters more here than raw numbers.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students near the top of UMD's admitted-class profile — strong rigor, deep activities, and an essay that signals real intellectual leadership. Both Maryland residents and out-of-state students win, but the larger awards almost always go to applicants whose academics and resume read as elite for their cohort.
Automatic
Dean’s Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: by April 1
Non-Renewable
$1,500–$4,500/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~≈400 new recipients per year winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
One UMD admission-based merit award per student — Dean's does not combine with Banneker/Key, President's, Frederick Douglass, or Maryland Transfer. It does stack with outside scholarships and need-based aid up to UMD's cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Maryland residents only. Comes in two forms: a one-time $1,500 freshman-year award, or a two-year award worth $4,500 per year for freshman and sophomore years. Not renewable past sophomore year either way. UMD welcomes roughly 400 new Dean's recipients each fall — making this one of the bigger in-state automatic awards in the country.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Strong Maryland residents who land just below the President's and Banneker/Key tiers. If your transcript shows real rigor (AP, IB, dual enrollment) and your activities tell a clear story, you are squarely in this band.
* 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: UMD does not publish hard cutoffs; above figures are based on self-reported award bands and university disclosures.
❓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)
🎓 Honors-Linked Awards: UMD’s largest scholarships (like Banneker/Key) go to Honors College invitees. No extra application is needed, but an interview is required for Banneker/Key.
Full RideApp Required
A. James Clark Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: Scholarship award letters by early April
✓ Renews (2.8 GPA, 8 yrs)
Full Ride
merit + need-based scholarship (minimum $12,000/year; up to full cost of attendance plus demonstrated need)
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Up to 10 new freshmen per year winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with other merit and need-based aid up to UMD's cost of attendance plus demonstrated need. The Clark scholarship is itself need-sensitive — bigger outside aid or rising family income can shrink the Clark portion year-over-year, though the scholarship renews even if need fluctuates.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to UMD's A. James Clark School of Engineering by the Nov 1 Early Action deadline. Admitted Clark School freshmen who are Maryland residents are invited to apply for the Clark Scholars Program after admission. File FAFSA by UMD's priority deadline. Selection by the Clark Foundation Scholarship Programs office.
Selection criteria: Clark Foundation Scholarship Programs office reviews merit, financial need (FAFSA), engineering interest, and leadership potential.
✎ Essays🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
One of UMD's two most generous awards — and the marquee scholarship for in-state engineering students. The Clark Foundation funds up to 10 new Maryland freshman engineers each year, with a minimum award of $12,000 annually for four years (eight semesters), and frequently higher based on financial need. Beyond the money, scholars get a mandatory summer cohort program, participation in the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges Scholars Program, and a tight engineering-plus-business-plus-leadership curriculum.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Maryland residents admitted to the Clark School during Nov 1 Early Action who combine real engineering chops with demonstrated financial need and leadership potential. Roughly 10 selected per year out of the full Clark School admit pool — competitive, but not impossible if your story is clear.
* 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: 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).
🔎 Hidden Gems: Smaller University Awards
UMD offers several small but meaningful scholarships to help first-gen, leadership, band, or major-specific students close their cost gap. Many require only a quick application or are awarded automatically.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Alumni Association Scholarship
📅 Deadline: May 31
✓ Renews
🎓 Sophomore
📄
How to Apply
Apply via ScholarshipUniverse (reapply each year)
Selection criteria: Leadership/involvement
💡
Strategic Detail
Reapply each year; sophomore/junior standing
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Continuing UMD sophomores/juniors with campus involvement
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Terp DREAM Scholarship Fund
📅 Deadline: Spring
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Separate short application; no FAFSA required
Selection criteria: Need and engagement
💡
Strategic Detail
Undocumented, first-gen, need; no FAFSA required
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Undocumented, high-need, actively engaged students
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Departmental / Major Awards
📅 Deadline: March–April
✓ Renews
$500–$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
💡
Strategic Detail
STEM, Nursing, Business, etc.; check dept details
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Active students with strong GPA/major
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Fisher Family First‑Gen Endowed Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Spring/rolling
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply via Student Affairs or ScholarshipUniverse
Selection criteria: Engagement, need
💡
Strategic Detail
One-time; focus on first-gen need and obstacles
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-gen, need, high engagement or hardship
Automatic
A. James Clark Legacy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Auto with admission/FAFSA
✓ Renews
$5,000–$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
💡
Strategic Detail
Freshman engineering, financial need
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Admitted engineering majors meeting qualifying need
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
UMD Marching Band Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March (auto with band enrollment)
✓ Renews
$500–$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
💡
Strategic Detail
Annual reapply; any major
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Band students with reliable participation
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Student Leader Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Early spring
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Combined application; covers multiple awards (Fisher, Mintz, Malstrom, etc.)
Selection criteria: Leadership/club impact
💡
Strategic Detail
Annual/one-time leadership and impact recognition
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-gen, student leaders in clubs/volunteering
* 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.
📌 What “Need‑Based” Means Here: Many use FAFSA to check need; DREAM uses other proof. Most awards don’t require essays.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Hidden Gem Scholarships)
Do we need to apply for these? Many are matched automatically by the ScholarshipUniverse profile; others (like Fisher or Terp DREAM) have a quick extra form. Band and Clark Legacy are mostly automatic if eligible.
Can my student get both a major award and these? Yes—university policy allows stacking most of these hidden gem awards with one flagship merit scholarship, as well as federal or private grants.
Where do we find/apply? Most are in ScholarshipUniverse after completing the profile each spring; check Student Affairs/Alumni/major department for additional funds.
Do these require essays/rec letters? Most do not; applications focus on quick information and engagement record or need.
🎓 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.
Full RideAutomatichonors
Banneker/Key Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 1 · 📢 Results: Semifinalist interview invites by March 1; final award notifications by April 1
✓ Renews (3.2 GPA, 8 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food, book allowance) or partial tuition award
✔ Stackable
⚠ UMD’s premier Honors award; full Banneker/Key covers up to full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, dining, books) for a small cohort invited via Honors competition
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Only one UMD admission-based merit award per student, so Banneker/Key does not stack with President's, Dean's, Frederick Douglass, or Maryland Transfer. It can be combined with outside and need-based aid, but if total aid pushes past UMD's full cost of attendance, OSFA reduces the Banneker/Key portion.
💡
Strategic Detail
UMD's flagship — and the only award that can take a Terp all the way to a full ride. Recipients also get automatic admission to the Honors College. The full Banneker/Key covers tuition, mandatory fees, on-campus housing, food, and a book allowance — currently estimated above $31,000 per year for Maryland residents and above $62,000 for non-residents based on UMD's published cost of attendance. A partial Banneker/Key version pays $8,000 (resident) or $12,000 (non-resident) per year plus a $1,250 book allowance.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Roughly the top 1–2% of the entering class — students admitted to the Honors College with standout rigor, activities, and an essay that reads like a future scholar. Semifinalists earn an interview invite in late February or early March, and that interview is decisive.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Honors Research Grant
📅 Deadline: Rolling (varies by Honors program and term)
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to stack — pair it with merit aid, need-based aid, and any departmental funding. Because it's project-specific (not tuition), it does not bump against UMD's one-merit-award rule.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through your specific Honors College or College Park Scholars program with a faculty-endorsed research, thesis, or project proposal. Deadlines and forms vary by program — check directly with your program office.
Selection criteria: Program-level faculty review of project merit and feasibility.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Small but real research seed money — up to $500 per project for Honors and Scholars students who need to buy materials, attend a conference, or fund a thesis-related expense. Apply through your specific Honors program (the limits and forms vary slightly by college and living-learning program).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Active Honors College or College Park Scholars students with a faculty-endorsed research, thesis, or creative project. Most who apply with a solid proposal get something.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Goff Scholarship (Integrated Life Sciences)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1
Non-Renewable
🏫 3.8+ GPA👥 ~1–2 per year winners/yr🎓 Sophomore
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks freely with other UMD and outside scholarships — it's a small one-time award, so it slots in cleanly alongside merit and need-based aid.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Goff application and a faculty recommendation through the Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) program. Typically open to sophomores and juniors enrolled in ILS.
Selection criteria: ILS program faculty review of academic record and recommendation.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Tiny but prestigious — a one-time $1,000 award for high-achieving sophomores and juniors in UMD's Integrated Life Sciences (ILS) Honors program. Often goes to pre-med-track students who have already made a mark in lab or clinical settings.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: One to two ILS sophomores or juniors per year, typically pre-med or biomedical-research-focused, with a 3.75+ GPA and a strong faculty recommendation.
* 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.
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.
Nationally Known Program:
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.
📎 Official Links — University of Maryland
💬 Final Thoughts
The University of Maryland offers the perfect blend of academic prestige, location, and opportunity.
As one of the nation’s top public research universities, UMD is known for standout programs in engineering, computer science, and public policy—along with access to incredible internships in nearby Washington, D.C.
With strong merit scholarships and need-based aid, many families find UMD more affordable than expected.
For students who want a flagship experience that connects directly to career pathways and innovation, Maryland delivers both excellence and value.
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