Community College Promise

The Maryland Community College Promise program is designed to make community college education more affordable for Maryland residents.

Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship 

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a grant available to eligible low- and middle-income students. Funds are provided by the State of Maryland and are limited. The Community College Promise can cover tuition and mandatory fees up to $5,000/year. It is a “last dollar” scholarship, meaning that a student may access their Promise funds after other federal and state financial aid is applied to the student’s account. 

PLEASE NOTE: Community College Promise information on this website is provided for the convenience of site visitors. The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is the authority on Maryland’s Community College Promise program as well as other state financial aid programs. For more complete information and updates, please visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s website or your local community college financial aid office. 

Maryland’s Community College Promise program:

  • Has eligibility requirements as listed below. It is not available to all community college students.
  • Is a grant for eligible middle- and low-income students, funded by the State of Maryland. Funds are limited.
  • May pay tuition and mandatory fees up to a maximum of $5000/year, based on a student’s remaining unmet need after other financial aid is applied.

Please note:
page information is being updated as it becomes available, for more details, please visit MHEC’s Community College Promise webpage or your local community college’s website.

 

Eligibility Criteria

1. Residency and Education:

  • Maryland high school graduates or Maryland GED recipients
  • Individuals qualified for in-state tuition at a Maryland community college

2. Academic (GPA) Requirements and Documentation:

  • Maryland high school seniors: Minimum 2.3 unweighted cumulative GPA at the end of first semester or the end of second semester senior year.
  • Maryland high school graduates five or more years post-graduation are exempt from GPA documentation.
  • Current or former Maryland community college students: A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Maryland GED recipients: Submit exam copies.

3. Income Limits:

  • Single-parent households: Adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less.
  • Two-parent households: Adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less.
  • ​Students must meet the required adjusted gross income limits for the applicable tax year, which is two years prior. For example, tax year 2022 was used to calculate eligibility for academic year 2024-2025.

4. Enrollment Requirements:

  • Attend the community college within home county/region, unless the desired program is unavailable locally.
  • Full- or part-time enrollment in:
    • Credit-bearing vocational certificates, certificates, or associate degree programs, minimum 6 credits/semester.
    • Credit or non-credit courses leading to licensure or certification, while maintaining satisfactory progress.
    • Registered apprenticeship programs maintain satisfactory progress.

5. Application Forms & Deadlines

  • Credit students
    • Submit the FAFSA or the MHEC One App by April 15 of the same year as intended enrollment. For example, a student planning to enroll at community college for the 2025-2026 academic year must submit their application to MHEC no later than April 15, 2025. 
    • MHEC One App should only be completed by undocumented individuals who are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.
    • Use the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) to monitor application status and submit any required documents by July 15 of planned enrollment year.
  • Non-credit students
    • Non-credit applicants must complete the Promise Non-Credit Application through the MHEC One App in MDCAPS.
    • Application has rolling deadlines but must adhere to program-specific timelines.

6. Renewing the Community College Promise

  • All students: Maintain in-state tuition eligibility and income requirements.
  • Credit students: Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA while enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits/semester. 
  • Non-credit students: Make satisfactory academic progress toward a vocational certificate/certificate/registered apprenticeship/associate degree.
  • Reapply annually by April 15 via FAFSA or MHEC One App.
  • Make satisfactory academic progress toward a vocational certificate/certificate/registered apprenticeship/associate degree.

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Requirements for Non-Credit Applicants

Any applicant who plans to enroll at the community college as a non-credit “Continuing Education” applicant in a sequence of non-credit courses that leads to licensure or certification or a registered apprenticeship program must:

  • ​​Complete the Promise Non-Credit Appli​cation online through the MHEC One App in MDCAPS, and meet all other requirements for consideration of the Promise award.
  • Must enroll in licensure/certification courses or apprenticeship sequences.
  • For Continuing Education applicants only, the deadline to complete the application is a rolling deadline for each academic year.

FAQs – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Special Notes:

  • Undocumented students not eligible for federal aid must complete the MHEC One App.
  • Students can use a Promise award to attend institutions with residential facilities
  • Students may transfer to other Maryland community colleges if their local community college does not offer their program of choice.
  • Full details and FAQs are available via the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)​