Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships

Maryland’s General Assembly recently passed new legislation creating the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships—a program which aims to provide eligible students attending a community college in the State of Maryland with tuition assistance.

This program is expected to begin in the fall of 2019, pending approval of the $15 million appropriation for its funding. For additional details and the most current information, visit the MACC website. At this point in time, there remain a lot of details in need of clarification, but here is what we know so far:

1. Initial tuition awards will be provided to eligible students based on greatest financial need, and will not exceed $5,000 or actual tuition costs (including mandatory fees) per year—whichever is less
2. Eligible students are defined as the following:
   1. Enrolled in a Maryland community college within 2 years of high school graduation or GED completion
   2. GPA of at least 2.3 (out of 4.0) and enrolled as a candidate for a credit certificate, vocational certificate, or an associate degree
   3. If single, or residing in a single parent household, annual adjusted gross income may not exceed $100,000 ($150,000 for married or two parent households)
   4. Credit students must enroll full time for at least 12 credits per term
3. Money awarded is “last dollar” funding. Students must apply for the FAFSA and/or any other applications for state or federal financial aid. All other financial aid is to be calculated before the Promise scholarship is awarded. If ineligible to submit a FAFSA, student must qualify for in-state tuition.
4. There is a service obligation as part of the scholarship which requires students to maintain employment in Maryland for at least one year for each year of scholarship awarded. The scholarships convert to loans if the recipient fails to fulfill the service obligation.

More information can be found online at the MACC website, and additional details regarding the above statements can be found in this flyer.

For questions or assistance with understanding the scholarship requirements, or your eligibility, please reach out to our financial aid department at finaid@chesapeake.edu or 410-822-5400 ext 2252.

Updated 10/8/2018