At St. Mary’s College of Maryland, we believe that academic excellence and hard work should be rewarded. Our merit-based scholarships recognize academic achievement demonstrated through a rigorous academic curriculum including advanced placement courses, honors courses, and co-curricular accomplishments. Merit-based scholarships are awarded without regard to a student’s financial need.
All students are considered for merit-based scholarships upon submission of application for admission, there are no additional steps are required.
*Please note that all St. Mary’s College merit based scholarships are renewable for up to four years. The student must also maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and be registered full time (12 graded credits) per semester.
** Scholarship awards from St. Mary’s cannot exceed the value of in-state tuition. Tuition waivers are scholarships and count toward this limit. Scholarships from outside sources do not count, nor do need-based grants from St. Mary’s or other sources.
If you have any questions: finaid@smcm.edu or (240) 895-3000.
First Year Student Scholarships
Program Description
These scholarships are awarded to recognize outstanding academic achievement and range from $1,000 to $6,500 for Maryland residents and $5,000 to $17,000 for non-Maryland residents per academic year.
Eligibility
While there are variations, recipients of this award typically rank in the top 15% of their class, present a cumulative unweighted GPA exceeding 3.25, and achieve a combined SAT 1 score of 1100 or higher.
Transfer Student Scholarships
Program Description
These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to transfer students with outstanding college grades and range from $1,000 to $6,000 per academic year.
Eligibility
While there are variations, recipients of this award typically present a rigorous course of study and a cumulative college GPA exceeding 3.0.
Transfer students who enter St. Mary’s with an A.A. or A.S. degree, a GPA of 3.5 or better, and are members of Phi Theta Kappa or Honors Program may be eligible for additional amounts that will be reflected in the award amount included in their package.
First-Year Excellence Scholarship
Program Description
The First-Year Excellence Scholarship is limited to students who did not receive a scholarship upon entrance and completed their first year of study with an outstanding GPA.
Eligibility
These students will be considered on a competitive basis if they completed 32 or more credits during the first year at St. Mary’s and excelled academically.
Outside Scholarship Search
We also encourage you to seek scholarships from additional resources. In an effort to assist you, we have provided the following links and databases for outside scholarship programs. Make sure you read and understand the application process and required qualifications for each program.
Even though these scholarships are from outside sources, our Office of Financial Aid is here to assist you with any questions that you might have along the way. Your aid counselor can provide more information about how outside scholarships will fit into your financial aid award.
- Central Scholarship Bureau
Helps students in Maryland realize their academic and professional goals through interest-free loans and grants.
- FastWeb
Largest, most accurate, and most frequently updated scholarship database.
- College Board Scholarship Search
Scholarship database lists scholarships and other types of financial aid programs from 3,300 national, state, public and private sources.
- SRN Express
Free web version of the Scholarship Resource Network database. It focuses on private sector, non-need-based aid, and includes information about awards from more than 1,500 organizations.
- CollegeNet
The database lists awards from 1,570 sponsors.
- Gates Millennium Scholarships*
The Gates’ awards for low-income minority students. You must apply as a high school senior.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund*
HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree.
- United Negro College Fund*
The UNCF Program Services Department manages various scholarship programs.
International Scholarship Search
- EduPass
Website for international students interested in study in the US.
- International Education Financial Aid
Free searchable database scholarships and other aid for international students.
- Institute for International Education (IIE)
Independent, not-for-profit international education and training organization.