MHEC Full Tuition Scholarship for Teaching Students 2021-2022 Application Now Open
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is now accepting 2021-2022 applications for the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship:
The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship is awarded to students who pledge to work as public school or public prekindergarten teachers in Maryland upon completion of their studies at schools that have at least 50% of the students in the school eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM). See the Service Obligation Requirement section below for more information.
(NOTE: Due to stipulations associated with these funds, we encourage undergraduate students to apply for this scholarship upon acceptance into the professional program or completion of the sophomore year. High school students and college freshmen and sophomores who are interested in UMD’s teacher preparation programs may wish to consider applying for other scholarships and financial aid opportunities to help cover educational experiences during the first two years of college. For more information: College of Education Scholarships and Financial Aid Opportunities.)
How to Apply:
Applicants for the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship must submit the online application through the MDCAPS system by visiting https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us. The online application and all required documents (which will reflect in MDCAPS upon completion of your application) must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance by May 1, 2021 for consideration.
Required documents to be submitted include but are not limited to:
If an applicant currently enrolled in high school or not currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution, or an applicant enrolled in college that has completed less than 12 college credits:
- an official high school transcript; or
- documentation of SAT or ACT scores
If an applicant currently or previously enrolled as an undergraduate student who has completed more than 12 college credits, or a college graduate not currently enrolled in an eligible institution:
- an official college transcript; or
- documentation of SAT or ACT scores
If a graduate applicant in a post-secondary institution:
- documentation of GRE scores if taken; or
- an official undergraduate transcript
All applicants must also submit a written essay detailing how they have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Students who are enrolled or plan to enroll at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program;
- Students seeking to change careers to pursue a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate;
- Students must agree to work as public school or public prekindergarten teachers in the State upon completion of their studies at elementary and secondary schools that have at least 50% of the students in the school eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FRPM);
- Be a Maryland resident or have graduated from a Maryland high school;
- Enroll full-time or part-time at an eligible institution pursuing a course of study or program leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate;
- Be currently enrolled in high school and have an overall GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent after completion of the first semester of the senior year;
- Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible institution and have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and have made satisfactory progress toward a degree in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate;
- Achieved a score 500 on the reading and math portions of the SAT, with a combined score of at least 1100;
- Achieved a composite ACT score of 25; or
- Achieved a score of 50% on the GRE and have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching
Note: An individual who has been employed as a teaching assistant at a public school or public prekindergarten program in Maryland for at least 2 years may apply and is eligible to hold the scholarship as a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student.
A recipient of this scholarship may not hold a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate.
Service Obligation Requirement
A recipient must sign and return a promissory note agreeing to begin fulfillment of the service obligation as follows:
- A recipient of the Teaching Fellows scholarship must teach in a public school or public prekindergarten program that has at least 50% of its students eligible for FRPM for the periods specified below:
- For a recipient who receives a scholarship as an undergraduate student, the service obligation is 1 year for each year that the recipient receives a scholarship.
- For a student who receives a scholarship as a graduate student, the service obligation is 2 years for each year that the recipient receives a scholarship.
Scholarship Award Amount
A recipient is eligible to receive an award amount as follows:
- At a Maryland public senior higher education institution, the scholarship award is equivalent to 100% of the annual tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate.
Funds may not be available to award all eligible applicants.
Conditions of Awards:
2021-2022 Conditions of Awards
Renewal Awards
A recipient is eligible for a renewal award if the recipient:
- Continues to be a resident of the State;
- Continues to be a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student;
- Maintains a GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; and
- Continues to make satisfactory progress toward a degree, and maintains the standards of the institution.
If a recipient of the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship is enrolled in a course of study that is determined by the institution to require five years to complete, the recipient may renew the annual award four times.
Details about the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship, including application procedures, eligibility criteria, and service requirements: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/TeachingFellowsMDScholarship….
