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.
Trustee, Presidents, Excellence Scholarships, and National Honors Award
Program Description
These scholarships range from $2,000 to $6,000 for Maryland & DC residents and $6,000 to $18,000 for non-Maryland residents per academic year.
Eligibility
While there are variations, recipients of this award typically rank in the top 20% of their class, present a cumulative unweighted GPA exceeding 3.0, 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 College and are members of Phi Theta Kappa with a GPA of 3.25 or greater, or are a member of their College’s Honors Program with a GPA of 3.5 or greater will receive an Honors Scholarship of $1,000-$2,000 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.
Baltimore City Scholarship
Program Description
Designed to recognize and support high-achieving students from Baltimore City and funded through a combination of College and private funds, the Baltimore City Scholarship program offers eligible students the equivalent of a full-tuition scholarship, including merit and need-based funding, as part of their financial aid award. To be considered for the Baltimore City Scholarship program, students must apply to St. Mary’s College of Maryland, be offered admission, and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Eligibility
- Be a permanent resident of Baltimore City for a minimum of 12 months before matriculating at St. Mary’s College;
- Apply and be offered admission to St. Mary’s College;
- Be a first-year, first-time applicant beginning with the Fall 2022 term;
- Have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA; and,
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of less than $75,000.
The Baltimore City Scholarship is renewable for up to 8 semesters (fall and spring) for first-time, first-year recipients provided the student maintains full-time enrollment, a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and resides on campus. Total gift aid including SMCM merit and need-based funding and outside funding cannot exceed direct tuition, fee, room, and board costs. In these cases, SMCM merit and/or need-based aid will be adjusted accordingly.
Please note that all St. Mary’s College merit-based scholarships are renewable for up to four years (8 semesters, fall and spring) of undergraduate study. The student must also maintain at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA and be registered full-time (12 graded credits) per semester.
Tuition waivers and institutional scholarships cannot exceed billable charges, resulting in a stipend to the student. Institutional scholarships will be reduced when tuition waivers and institutional scholarships exceed billable charges.
* Merit scholarships are associated with student residency and, therefore, the tuition rate.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland reserves the right to recalculate any scholarship amount based on any changes in the tuition charged to the student.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation Scholarships
Landers Scholars
Program Description
The Landers Scholars scholarships are awarded through an application process and support full tuition, general fees, room, and board. This scholarship program benefits four new students a year, combining financial aid support with first-year mentoring and community service. Students that meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply upon acceptance to St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Eligibility
Recipients of this scholarship demonstrate high financial need (determined by FAFSA and Pell eligibility) and in-state residency (priority given to Baltimore-area students). Recipients will also commit to one year of mentoring, a minimum of 12 hours of volunteering through campus-sponsored initiatives, and respect and embrace the St. Mary’s Way. Preference is given to those who are first-generation and/or from traditionally under-represented groups.
Scholarship awards are renewable for up to three years as long as the recipients remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and completing no fewer than 12 credits per semester.
Patuxent River Science & Technology Consortium Scholarship
Program Description
Originally founded by six local contracting companies, the PRS&T Consortium scholarship provides financial need scholarships and internship experiences. Awarded through an application process, the scholarship provides $7,500 per year. Students that meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply upon acceptance to St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Eligibility
Recipients of this scholarship demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in computer science, mathematics, and/or physics and are from the Tri-County area (preference for St. Mary’s County residents).
Both first-year students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a combined SAT of 1200 (ACT of 25) and transfer students with an AA degree or a 3.0 GPA are eligible for this scholarship.
Students must be a U.S. Citizen. Scholarships are renewable for up to three years as long as the recipients remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and completing no fewer than 12 credits per semester.
Don Stabile Scholars
Program Description
These merit scholarships are awarded to ten first-year or transfer students in the amount of $3,000 per academic year. Preference is given to students who are St. Mary’s College staff members (excluding senior administration) or their dependents.
Eligibility
These scholarship awards are renewable for up to three years as long as the recipients remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and completing no fewer than 12 credits per semester.
Find all of our foundation awards here.
THEDREAM.US Scholarships
St. Mary’s College of Maryland proudly welcomes Dreamers and encourages eligible students to apply for TheDream.US Scholarship program. Applications for the National Scholarship will be accepted until the February Deadline.
- TheDream.US provides college scholarships to highly motivated Dreamers who seek a college education but cannot afford it; DACA status or TPS eligibility is not required to apply. You can apply if you came to the country before November 1, 2015. TheDream.US requires scholarship recipients to attend one of its partner institutions, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland is the only partner college in Maryland.
- Submit TheDream.US application here and be sure to designate St. Mary’s College of Maryland as your school of choice. The Dream.US offers two scholarships: The National Scholarship is for high school or community college graduates; the Opportunity Scholarship is for students who live in targeted, locked-out states where they cannot get in-state tuition. Your eligibility for both is based on where you live. Review TheDream.US eligibility requirements and deadlines on TheDream.US site.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland is honored to partner with TheDream.US, a nationally prominent program that provides college scholarships for intellectually curious and ambitious Dreamers seeking a college degree. TheDream.US scholarship amount typically covers the difference between the lost Pell grants and federal loans that Dreamers are not currently eligible to receive.
How to apply to St. Mary’s College of Maryland as a potential TheDream.US Scholar
- Apply to St. Mary’s College of Maryland, if you have not already done so.
- Apply for TheDream.US National Scholarship, feel free to use your TheDream.US application essay as your SMCM application essay.
- Notify both SMCM Admissions and The Dream.US that you are applying to each*
- Notify SMCM if you are awarded TheDream.US Scholarship.*
*Notify SMCM Admission Office by email, admissions@smcm.edu, or call, 240-895-5000.
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 Assistance 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 assistance award.
- bold.org
Explore exclusive scholarships for your state, major, year, demographic, and more. Access thousands of exclusive scholarships across hundreds of categories, all available only on Bold.org.
- Point Foundation
Point Foundation empowers promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society.
- Going Merry
A free scholarship search and application platform. Personalized matching. Thousands of scholarships are available.
- FastWeb
Largest, most accurate, and most frequently updated scholarship database.
- College Board Scholarship Search
The scholarship database lists scholarships and other types of financial assistance programs from 3,300 national, state, public, and private sources.
- SRN Express
A 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.
- Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
Students get free access to more than 5 million scholarships worth up to $24 billion. They’re matched to scholarships suited to their skills, activities, and interests. Students can sign up to receive updates as new scholarships are posted.
- 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 Assistance
Free searchable database scholarships and other aid for international students.
- Institute for International Education (IIE)
Independent, not-for-profit international education and training organization.