University of Maryland Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on March 31, 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: ~45%
- Middle 50% ACT: 30
- Middle 50% SAT: 1340
- Average GPA: 4.2
- 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.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Maryland at a Glance
- 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/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in none.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Maryland 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once 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) | $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
UMD considers every applicant for automatic merit scholarships if they apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline. Awards use GPA, course rigor, and optionally strong test scores. No extra steps, but out-of-state tuition discounts and biggest awards are reserved for top applicants.
| Scholarship | Award Amount/year | Eligibility (est. GPA/test) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship | $12,000–$15,000 | GPA ~3.9–4.0; SAT 1500+ or ACT 34–35 (superscored) | No | Yes (GPA ≥3.20, full-time, up to 8 semesters) | Top 5–10%; all majors | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| Banneker/Key Scholarship | Full in-state tuition (highest level covers tuition, fees, and may include housing; top MD/OOS students) | By Honors invite only; usually GPA ≥3.6, SAT ~1410+/ACT ~32+; rigorous curriculum | No, but Honors interview required | Yes (GPA ≥3.20, 30 credits/year, up to 8 semesters) | Top ~150 Honors admits (about 2% of class) | Nov 1 (Early Action, Honors round) |
| General Merit Awards | $3,000–$10,000 | GPA 3.5–3.8 or strong upward trend; test-optional accepted | No | Yes (GPA ≥3.20, full-time) | Top 20–30% of incoming class (mix of in-state and OOS) | Nov 1 (EA preferred) |
❓FAQ: Automatic Merit Scholarships at UMD
Do we need a separate application?
No—apply by Nov 1 Early Action and all applicants are considered for all merit awards automatically.
Are test scores required?
No, but high scores can help, especially for the President’s and Banneker/Key tiers. Superscore is used.
Weighted or unweighted GPA?
UMD recalculates GPA for strength and rigor (weighted recognized, AP/IB favored).
How long do scholarships last?
Up to eight semesters (four years) if full-time status and minimum GPA (3.20) are maintained.
What else should families know?
No appeals or matching to other schools’ offers. Only one major university merit scholarship per student.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships (UMD Invite-Based Awards)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banneker/Key Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room/board; partial awards ~$8K–$12K/yr | Honors College invitee, GPA ~3.8+, SAT 1410+/ACT 32+, interview required | No (Honors + interview only) | Yes (GPA 3.20, 12 credits/semester, 8 total) | ~150 Honors interview invitees, top 1-2% of class | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| President’s Scholarship | $12,000–$15,000/year | Top applicants, GPA ~3.9–4.0, rigorous courses, optional SAT 1500+/ACT 34+ | No | Yes (GPA 3.20, full-time, 4 years) | Top 5% of Early Action admits | Nov 1 |
| Dean’s Scholarship (MD residents) | $1,500 freshman; $3,000 sophomore; up to $4,500 total | MD resident, GPA 3.4–3.6, strong overall record | No | Yes (GPA 3.2, 12 credits/semester) | Strong in-state students not in top tiers | Nov 1 |
Note: Only one of these “flagship” merit awards is allowed per student, but each can stack with need-based aid, alumni, and outside scholarships.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Uncollapsed)
Do students need a separate application? No; Early Action application and (for B/K) Honors invite and interview are sufficient.
Can out-of-state students win? Yes—President’s and Banneker/Key go to OOS and MD. Dean’s is Maryland-only.
Do these require high test scores? Not required, but most winners report 1400+ SAT or 32+ ACT.
Who wins a Banneker/Key? Honors invitees with top academics, leadership, and interview performance.
Can you stack these with other aid? Yes, but UMD only allows one major university merit scholarship per student (may combine with need-based and private scholarships).
🎓 Honors College (University of Maryland)
All UMD applicants are automatically considered for Honors College. If invited, students get small seminars, priority registration, exclusive research and travel grants, dedicated advising—the pathway to UMD’s largest scholarships.
| Scholarship / Benefit | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banneker/Key Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, room/board, book allowance, or partial $8K–$12K/yr | Honors invitee, GPA ~3.8+, SAT ≥1410/ACT ≥32, rigorous curriculum; by invitation/interview | No (Honors review triggers interview) | Yes (4 years, 3.2 GPA, 30 credits/year) | Top Honors invitees (≈1–2% of class) | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
| Honors Research Grant | Up to $500/project | Current Honors student; project proposal with faculty endorsement | Yes—departmental application each semester | No (project-based) | Active Honors students in research/thesis | Rolling (per project) |
| Goff Scholarship (ILS only) | $1,000 (non-renewable) | Honors student in Integrated Life Sciences; GPA ≥3.75; 30–60 UMD credits; pre-med | Yes—Goff short application, recommendation | No | 1–2 ILS students per year | Dec 1 |
Honors College FAQ
Does my student have to apply separately for Honors? No. Every UMD applicant (by Nov 1) is considered. The invitation is based on full transcript, GPA, essay, and course rigor.
Is a high SAT/ACT necessary? Test-optional, but most admits report 1480–1560 SAT or 32–35 ACT. Rigor and essay are prioritized.
What GPA do you need to stay? Minimum 3.00 to remain in Honors; 3.20 to keep Banneker/Key or graduate with Honors citation.
Are there Honors-only scholarships? Yes: Banneker/Key is invite-only for Honors, plus grants like Honors Research Grant and Goff Scholarship (ILS program). Departmental and college-level awards are also open to active Honors students.
Are Honors classes harder? Not harder—smaller, richer discussions and more support. Students say personal advising is a major benefit.
Do Honors students get extra travel/research funding? Yes, via the Honors Research Grant, major/faculty grants, and college-specific support for conferences and presentations.
⭐ College Specialty
The University of Maryland (College Park) is one of those flagship public universities that quietly checks a lot of “top tier” boxes — especially if your student wants big-time academics and real career pipelines. UMD is nationally recognized for engineering and computing, and it’s also a standout for business, public policy, and communications — with Washington, D.C. basically in its backyard. For students who want internships during the school year (not just summer), UMD’s location is a serious advantage.
A. James Clark School of Engineering — widely recognized for strong undergraduate engineering programs, hands-on research opportunities, and recruiting pipelines into major employers and federal labs in the D.C. region.
- Computer Science & Cybersecurity: A major destination for students interested in software, AI, and security — with unusually strong access to internships and careers tied to the federal and defense ecosystem.
- Business (Robert H. Smith School of Business): Well-known for analytics, supply chain, finance, and consulting pathways, with heavy recruiting and alumni presence in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
- Public Policy & Government (School of Public Policy): A natural fit for students who want real-world policy experience, especially with D.C. internships available during the semester.
- Journalism & Communications (Philip Merrill College of Journalism): Strong training plus proximity to national media and government institutions — a big advantage for reporting, media, and public affairs careers.