Maryland Promise Scholarship

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship creates opportunities for students who enroll a Maryland Community College.  As a “last dollar” scholarship, the Maryland Promise Scholarship covers any remaining tuition and mandatory fees, after the College applies Federal or State financial aid.

Important Deadlines

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MHEC One App (formerly MSFAA) must be completed by April 15

Who May Apply?

A Maryland high school graduate or GED recipient eligible for in-state tuition who is planning to enroll or is currently enrolled full tile or part time at a Maryland community college in:

• A credit-bearing vocational certificate/certificate/associate degree program
• A sequence of credit or non-credit courses that leads to licensure or certification
• A registered apprenticeship program

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship Program if you:

• Graduated from a Maryland high school or received a GED in Maryland
• Have a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 2.3 or higher, or a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 if you are currently enrolled at the community college
• Are eligible for in-state tuition, as determined by the College
• Are enrolled in at a community college and are seeking a credit certificate, associate degree, a sequence of non-credit courses that leads to licensure or certification*
• Enroll full-time or part-time if seeking a credit certificate or an associate degree
• Have not received an educational grant or scholarship that covers your full cost of attendance at the College
• Have an annual adjusted gross income not more than:
  • Single (independent student) or One parent (dependent student) household - $100,000 or less– or -

• Married (independent student) or Two parent (dependent student) household -- $150,000 or less

• Have not already earned a bachelor’s or associate degree

*Enrolling in a sequence of non-credit courses for licensure or certification full-time is slightly different. You must enroll in the next available courses for your sequence offered at the College.

Income Requirements

Student must be within the required adjusted income limits based on the applicable tax year:

How to Apply

Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MHEC One App (for students who are not eligible to submit a FAFSA)

Required Documentation

After completing the FAFSA or MHEC One app, eligible applications must submit certain documentation for further consideration by PGCC.

Grade Point Average (GPA) & General Education Development (GED) Requirements for Initial Applicants

**Exceptions to submitting a high school transcript: An initial applicant who graduated from high school five or more years before applying for the scholarship is exempt form submitting a high school transcript to document the GPA requirement.

Non-Credit Students

Students who plan to enroll as a non-credit "Continuing Education" student in a sequence of non-credit courses that leads to licensure or certification must:

• Complete the Promise Non-Credit Application

All “Continuing Education“ applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MHEC One App (for undocumented individuals who are not eligible to receive federal financial aid) in order to minimize the number of documents to be submitted with the Non-Credit Application.

Renewing an Award

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is renewable for up to three years. Students must submit the FAFSA, or MHEC One App for students ineligible to receive federal aid but eligible for in-state tuition, by April 15. You remain qualified if you:

• Are still eligible for in-state tuition
• Annually file the FAFSA or MHEC One App by April 15
• Enrolled in and complete:

• A sequence of credit or non-credit courses that leads to licensure or certification; AND
• 6 credits at the end of each semester in a credit program

• Maintain a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.5 if enrolled in a credit program
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a vocational certificate, certificate, registered apprenticeship or associate degree
• Meet the income requirements