Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
  1. Financial Aid (Home)
    1. Financial Aid (Home)
    2. Financial Aid Events
    3. FAFSA®
    4. College Promise Scholarship
    5. Types of Aid
    6. Cost of Attendance
    7. Resources and Forms
    8. Frequently Asked Questions
    9. Net Price Calculator
  2. Financial Aid Events
  3. FAFSA®
  4. College Promise Scholarship
  5. Types of Aid
    1. Scholarships
    2. Grants
    3. Maryland State Aid
    4. Loans
    5. Federal Work Study
  6. Cost of Attendance
  7. Resources and Forms
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Net Price Calculator

Maryland Community College
Promise Scholarships

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship available to students who enroll at a Maryland community college. Eligible students can receive up to $5,000 to cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after Federal or State financial aid has been applied.

You may already be eligible!

Eligible programs of study:
Credit-bearing vocational certificate | Certificate program | Noncredit courses leading to licensure or certification | Apprenticeship program | Associate degree program

START HERE. Credit Noncredit

Commonly Asked Questions

Q. What are the eligibility requirements?

  • Applicants must complete the FAFSA® annually before April 15 of the end of the academic year.
    OR Students who do not qualify to complete a FAFSA® can complete the MHEC One App on their MDCAPS account by previous listed date.
  • Applicants must attend the community college located in the county in which they live.
  • Applicants must be eligible for in-state tuition.
  • Applicants must have a high school GPA of at least 2.3 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first semester of their senior year in high school or by the end of their senior year in high school.
  • Or, individuals currently enrolled at a community college must document an earned minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 while enrolled at a community college.
  • If an applicant is single or resides in a single-parent household, their annual adjusted gross income (AGI) may not exceed $100,000. If an applicant is married or resides in a two-parent household, their annual AGI may not exceed $150,000.
  • Applicants must be a Maryland high school graduate or Maryland GED® recipient
  • Applicants must not have previously earned a bachelor’s or an associate degree. He/she must also not have been awarded another educational grant or scholarship that covers the applicant’s full cost of attendance at a community college.

Q. How is the scholarships awarded?
The Promise Scholarship is awarded first come, first serve, and funds are limited. The order of awarding is as follows:

  1. Renewals: students who meet the awarding requirements AND received the scholarship in the previous year
  2. FT/ Sequence noncredit: credit students enrolled full time – at least 12 credits
    OR students in an eligible certificate/continuing education program
  3. Part-time: students enrolled in less than 12 credits

Q. If I am awarded a scholarship, what do I need to do?

  • Recipients must submit a completed Verification of Residency and Drug Policy Form before they can be awarded.
  • Recipients and parents (if applicable) must continue to reside in Maryland and in Harford County. Students must also maintain continuous enrollment.
  • Recipients must complete at least 6 credits and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of each semester.
  • Recipients must earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 at the end of each academic year they receive the scholarship.
  • Recipients must continue to meet the income requirements set by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
  • Noncredit recipients must complete Harford's Promise Scholarship application annually.

Q. What if someone who is eligible applies and doesn't receive the Promise Scholarship?
Funds are limited on a first come, first serve basis. Eligible applicants who do not receive an award will be notified and placed on a waiting list.