The 2025-2026 application is open
| The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship is awarded to students who pledge to work as a public school or public prekindergarten teacher in Maryland upon completion of their studies in a high-needs school (as identified by MSDE), or in a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators. .
|
Who may apply?
- Applicants who are enrolled or plan to enroll at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program.
- Applicants seeking to change careers to pursue a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.
- Applicants must agree to work as a public school or public prekindergarten teacher in the State upon completion of their studies in a high-needs school (as identified by MSDE), or in a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators.
- 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.
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.
How to apply?
Application Requirements
| High School Applicants | - Submit a high school transcript after completion of first semester of senior year in high school; AND
- Essay; AND
- Institutional Certification Form
|
| Applicants currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution | - Submit a college transcript, or if not applicable a final high school transcript; AND
- Essay; AND
- Institutional Certification Form
|
| Applicants that graduated from high school and completed some courses at a post-secondary institution | - Submit a college transcript; AND
- Essay; AND
- Institutional Certification Form
|
| Applicants not currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution but who graduated from a college or university | - Submit a final undergraduate transcript; AND
- Institutional Certification Form; AND
- Essay
|
| Applicants currently enrolled in a graduate degree program | - Submit a final undergraduate transcript; AND
- Institutional Certification Form; AND
- Essay
|
| Teaching Assistants | - Submit a Teaching Asst Employer Verification Form; AND
- Essay; AND
- Institutional Certification Form
*Applicants with teaching certificates are ineligible for the award |
Documentation Requirements
Transcript
| Unofficial transcript from high school or current institution
|
Institutional Certification Form
| Provided through the applicant's MDCAPS account. Must be completed by the institution.
|
600 Word Essay
| All applicants must also submit an essay, of at least 600 words, detailing how they have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching. The essay must be typed.
|
Important Deadlines:
- The application for the 2025-2026 academic year is open
- The application for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year will become available on January 15, 2026, and will close on October 15, 2026.
Service Obligation Requirement
An applicant awarded the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship 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 in a high-needs school (as identified by MSDE), or in a grade level or content area in which there is a shortage of qualified educators:
- For a recipient who receives a scholarship as an undergraduate or graduate student, the service obligation is for 2 years.
- If a recipient is unable to perform the service obligation required because there are no available positions in a qualifying school, grade level, or content area, the recipient may work in any public school or public prekindergarten program in the State.
Note: Students are responsible for verifying that their place of employment is at a high–needs school, grade level, or content area with a shortage of qualified educators.
Award Amount
An award applicant is eligible to receive an award contingent on the availability of funds 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.
- At a Maryland private nonprofit institution, the scholarship award is equal to the lesser of:
- 100% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution; or
- 50% of the annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution and 100% of the room and board of a resident undergraduate student or graduate student, as appropriate, at the institution.
A private nonprofit institution must provide a matching scholarship award in an amount equal to the State award provided for tuition & fees only. Private nonprofit institutions are not required to match State funds awarded for room and board.
Students who have a housing status as "Off Campus" or "With Parent" will have a housing allowance included in their award. The housing allowance is based on room and board costs provided to MHEC from each institution.
Renewal Requirements
A recipient is eligible to receive a renewal award for up to three years if the recipient
- Continues to be a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student.
- Continues to make satisfactory progress toward a degree, and maintains the standards of the institution.
If a recipient of the Teaching Fellows of 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. The recipient must submit a “Program of Study" appeal, by the deadline, providing documentation of the program of study requirements.
TF Conditions of Award & Service Obligation - 2025-2026.pdf
Eligible Institutions Final 7.14.pdf
The Teaching Fellow for Maryland Scholarship regulations have been published online under the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
