​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.​

Application Timeline:

• Opening Date: The 2025-2026 academic year application opens on March 1, 2025, for high school seniors graduating in Spring/Summer 2025 and other applicants who will be attending college in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year.
  
• Closing Date: The 2025-2026 academic year application will close on April 1, 2026.
  
• Notification Date: While specific notification dates are not provided, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are advised to submit all required materials promptly to ensure timely processing. 
  

_{Eligibility Requirements:}

• Applicants enrolled or intend to enroll at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program 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.
• Full-time or part-time enrollment at an eligible institution pursuing a course of study leading to a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.​
• Applicants are no longer required to be Maryland residents or provide GPA, GRE, or SAT scores.​

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.

Application Process & Requirements:​​

Required Documentation:

• For High School Applicants or Those with Less Than 12 College Credits:
• Official or unofficial high school transcript.
• For Applicants with More Than 12 College Credits or College Graduates Not Currently Enrolled:
• Official or unofficial college transcript.
• For Graduate Applicants:
• Official or unofficial transcript from current school or undergraduate transcript.
• All Applicants:
• A 600-word essay detailing how the applicant has demonstrated exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching.  The essay must be typed.
• Institutional Certification Form - Provided through the applicant's MDCAPS account. Must be completed by the institution. 
  

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.​​
  

Note: 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.

Per available funding, out-of-state residents 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. 

_{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. ​

_{Eligible Institutions:}

The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship may be used at a:

• ​Maryland public senior higher education institution that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission and has a department, school, or college of education, or
  
• Maryland private non-profit institution of higher education that possesses a certificate of approval from the Commission, has a department, school, or college of education, and agrees to provide a matching grant to an undergraduate or graduate student who receives a Teaching Fellows of Maryland scholarship. 

 Click here for the conditions of the award

The Teaching Fellow for Maryland Scholarship regulations have been published online under the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).​​