Funding & Scholarships

In addition to UMD and COE scholarships, there are many grant and scholarship opportunities available to education majors at the state and federal level.

Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides various programs of support for COE students. View the full MHEC Scholarship list at https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx. For questions concerning state financial aid please email MHEC osfamail.mhec@maryland.gov​.

Teaching Fellows of Maryland Scholarship
The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship is a full scholarship awarded to students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs leading to Maryland certification. To be eligible, students must pledge to work as public school or public prekindergarten teachers in Maryland upon completion of their studies.

The scholarship covers 100% of tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board, including both on-campus and off-campus housing, based on University of Maryland’s rates. It is available to both undergraduate and graduate students, including those in the Integrated Master’s Certification Pathway (IMCP) or MCERT programs.

Recipients must teach in a grade/level or content area with a shortage (e.g., STEM licensure areas, Special Education, etc.; see the Maryland High-Needs Subjects website for a current list), or fulfill their service obligation in a public school or public pre-kindergarten in a high-needs school (as identified by the Maryland State Department of Education). High-needs schools are those with at least 50% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FRPM), as outlined on the MSDE Free and Reduced Price Meals page.

The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years for an undergraduate degree or up to 5 years for a combined undergraduate/graduate program. Recipients must reapply each year.

For more details on eligibility and service obligations, please refer to the Teaching Fellows Scholarship website.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant 
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach

• in a high-need field;
• at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families;
• and for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

A TEACH-Grant-eligible program is a program of study that is designed to prepare you to teach as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field and that leads to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or is a postbaccalaureate program. 

Note: If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

For questions regarding the TEACH Grant, please email the Office of Student Financial Aid at umdfinaid@umd.edu.

Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program 
This grant program by the state of Maryland encompasses several scholarship programs, including the former Sharon Christa McAuliffe Memorial Teacher Education Scholarship.

The National Scholarships Office
The Office of Undergraduate Studies, National Scholarships Office is committed to helping students of the University of Maryland identify, apply for, and win national scholarships and fellowships in their pursuit of higher education. This website is designed to assist students with identifying opportunities that match their need, research for a specific field of study, offer information about eligibility and deadlines, and provide information to help create a winning application.

National SMART Grant Program 
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant program established by the federal government. These grants are ideal for Secondary Science, Math, and Foreign Language Education majors.

University of Maryland Financial Aid Office
The Office of Student Financial Aid (located in the Lee Building) has information about merit-based and need-based scholarships, loans, and other financial aid options.  Please contact that office for more information about your specific needs and opportunities.

U.S. Department of Education
The federal government provides many different types of financial aid, including grants, loans, and other programs, especially for those considering teaching as a profession.