| 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. .
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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.
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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| Applicants currently enrolled in a graduate degree program | - Submit a final undergraduate transcript; AND
- Institutional Certification Form; AND
- Essay
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| 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
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Institutional Certification Form
| Provided through the applicant's MDCAPS account. Must be completed by the institution.
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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.
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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).
