Begin your academic journey at the University of Maryland with a range of competitive merit awards based on exceptional high school performance. These scholarships are automatically awarded to early action applicants—no separate application required.↚
Open the Door to Excellence: UMD Freshman Merit Scholarships 2025–26
Overview of Scholarship Opportunities
UMD’s freshman merit scholarships recognize academic strength and leadership potential. Among them:
- Banneker/Key Scholarship: UMD’s most prestigious award, covering tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, and Honors College access. Open only to students admitted to the Honors College.
- President’s Scholarship: Renewable four-year awards ranging from $2,000 to $12,500 per year (though some recipients report higher amounts, up to ~$20,000/year) based on academic profile, extracurriculars, and essays. Both in-state and out-of-state students are eligible.
- Dean’s Scholarship: One- or two-year award for in-state freshmen ($1,500 freshman year or $4,500/year for two years). Approximately 400 recipients are selected annually.
Who Is Eligible
- U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens admitted for fall entry
- Complete admissions application and materials by November 1, 2025 (Early Action deadline) to receive automatic consideration
- Honors College admission is required for Banneker/Key consideration; President’s and Dean’s awards are open more broadly
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Notification & Award Timing
- Semifinalists for Banneker/Key are invited to interview by around March 1, with final decisions by April 1
- President’s and Dean’s Scholarships awards are typically notified between mid-February and March 1, with final offers made by April 1
What Past Recipients Report
Reddit discussions among admitted students highlight President’s Scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per year for out-of-state recipients—sometimes exceeding the listed cap.
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Maintaining Your Award
- Meet the university's GPA requirement (e.g., 3.2 cumulative GPA)
- Complete 30 credits per academic year (fall and spring semesters) to maintain eligibility—first-time shortfalls may place you on probation, but scholarship continues during that semester.
Why It Matters
These merit scholarships offer generous support and recognition without separate applications. The Banneker/Key Scholarship notably includes full funding and guaranteed Honors College placement. Even President’s and Dean’s Awards can significantly reduce tuition—especially for out-of-state students.
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