The Maryland Police Officer and Probation Agent Scholarship Program

The 2025-2026 application is open

The Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agent Scholarship is awarded to current police officers or probation agents or individuals planning to become a police officer or probation agent, who are enrolled in an academic program that furthers their career in law enforcement. Recipients must pledge to work as a police officer or probation agent in the state upon completion of their studies.

Who may apply?

Students who are current police officers or probation agents or individuals planning to become a police officer or probation agent after graduation who are:

Accepted for admission or currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a Maryland public senior institution
A Maryland resident or graduated from a Maryland high school
Enrolled full-time or part-time pursuing a course of study or program that would further the recipient’s career in law enforcement.

Current Police Officers who are applying:

Must be authorized to enforce general criminal laws of the state and must be a member of one of the following law enforcement agencies:

1. The Department of State Police;
2. The Police Department of Baltimore City;
3. The Police department, bureau, or force of a county;
4. The Police department, bureau, or force of a municipal corporation;
5. The Maryland Transit Administration police force;
6. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police;
7. The police forces of the University System of Maryland;
8. The police force of Morgan State University;
9. The office of the sheriff of a county;
10. The police forces of the Department of Natural Resources;
11. The police force of the Maryland Capitol Police of the Department of General Services;
12. The police force of a State, county, or municipal corporation if the special police officers are appointed under Subtitle 3 of this title ;
13. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City Police Force;
14. The Baltimore City School Police Force;
15. The Crofton Police Department;
16. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Police Force;
17. The Ocean Pines Police Department;
18. The police force of the Baltimore City Community College;
19. The police force of the Hagerstown Community College;
20. The Warrant Apprehension Unit of the Intelligence and Investigative Division in the Department;
21. The police force of the Anne Arundel Community College; or
22. The police department of the Johns Hopkins University;
23. A member of the Field Enforcement Bureau of the Comptroller's Office;
24. A member of the Field Enforcement Division of the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission;
25. The State Fire Marshal or a deputy State fire marshal;
26. An investigator of the Intelligence and Investigative Division of the Department;
27. A Montgomery County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2-208.1 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
28. An Anne Arundel County or City of Annapolis fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2-208.2 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
29. A Prince George's County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2-208.3 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
30. A Worcester County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2-208.4 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
31. A City of Hagerstown fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2-208.5 of the Criminal Procedure Article; and
32. A Howard County fire and explosive investigator as defined in § 2-208.6 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

Probation Agents who are applying:

Must be serving as a parole and probation agent, supervisor, or regional administrator for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in the State.

How do I apply?

Individuals applying for the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agent Scholarship must submit the online application through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) using the MHEC One App.

What documentation is required?

Complete the Maryland Police Officers Scholarship application online through MDCAPS by the established deadline.
If, applicable submit documentation by the established deadline, confirming the student's current employment as a police officer.
If you graduated from a Maryland high school and are not a Maryland resident, submit a copy of your final high school transcript.
Submit documentation by the established deadline, from the institution confirming that the student is enrolled in a program that will further their career in law enforcement.

Important Deadlines:

The application for the 2024-2025 academic year has been extended to April 1, 2025.
The application for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year will become available on April 15, 2025 and will close April 1, 2026.

Service Obligation Requirement

An applicant awarded the Maryland Police Officers and Probation Agent Scholarship must sign and return a promissory note and service obligation agreement agreeing to begin fulfillment of the service obligation as follows:

A recipient must work as a police officer as defined in 3-201 of the Public Safety Article in the state for no less than five years during the eight-year period after graduation.

Award

An annual scholarship award shall be 50% of the equivalent annual tuition and mandatory fees of a resident undergraduate student at the eligible institution.