College education that's within reach
With the Baltimore County and Maryland Community College Promise scholarship programs, college-ready, recent high school graduates can attend CCBC full time without the cost of tuition and fees.
What are they?
As “last dollar in scholarships,” the Baltimore County and Maryland Community College Promise scholarships cover tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students after applying all other financial awards—such as Pell grants, state aid and scholarships.
Awardees may apply the scholarships to a first degree or credential sought at CCBC. Students still need to cover other costs such as books, transportation, supplies and materials. Additionally, students will need to cover all book fees billed to the student's account as "first day book fees."
How do I qualify?
Baltimore County College Promise Scholarship
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
- Be a Baltimore County resident.
- If dependent, parent(s) must be a legal resident of Maryland.
- Be a 2013-2023 graduate of a public, parochial or private high school, home instruction program with a final, cumulative high school GPA of 2.3 or higher, be a GED recipient or a high school diploma recipient from an external diploma program.
or
Be a 2013-2023 graduate of a public, parochial or private high school, home instruction program, be a GED or a high school diploma recipient from an external diploma program and complete at least 3 credits at CCBC with a minimum 2.3 cumulative CCBC GPA.
- Complete the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Have an adjusted gross household income of $150,000 or less based on submitted FAFSA application.
- Enroll full-time (12 or more credits) each semester.
- Maintain a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA while at CCBC.
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
Maryland DREAM Act students
- Meet the Maryland Dream Act eligibility criteria and have an approved Application for Out-of-State Tuition Exemption for Undocumented Students.
- Be a Baltimore County resident.
- If dependent, parent(s) must be a legal resident of Maryland.
- Be a 2018-2023 high school graduate.
- Have an unweighted, cumulative final Maryland high school GPA of 2.3 or higher, be a Maryland GED recipient, or be a Maryland external diploma degree graduate.
or
Be a Maryland high school/GED/external diploma degree graduate and a current CCBC student who has completed at least 3 credits at CCBC with a minimum 2.3 cumulative CCBC GPA.
- Have an adjusted gross household income of $150,000 or less, this includes parent(s) and student based on 2022 Maryland State Tax return(s).
- Enroll full-time (12 or more credits) each semester.
- Maintain a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA while at CCBC.
- Complete the Baltimore County College Promise for Maryland Dream Act application in AcademicWorks
Note: Students who do not meet the full time enrollment requirement due to a documented disability or final semester requirements for graduation should contact us for more information on submitting an appeal.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
The Promise:
- Is a need-based financial grant for eligible middle-income families, funded by the State of Maryland.
- Pays up to $5,000 in tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students to enroll full-time at their local Maryland community college.
- Is not available to all community college students.
- Eligibility requirements are listed below.
- Is a new program that’s recently expanded to include career training programs.
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
To be eligible:
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the planned year of enrollment no later than March 1, 2023.
- Have an unweighted, cumulative high school GPA of 2.3 or higher by the end of first semester senior year, or at graduation.
- Have a household income of:
- $100,000, or less, if single or living in a single-parent household, or
- $150,000, or less, if married or living in a two-parent household.
- Be eligible for in-state tuition as determined by the community college
- Not earned an associates or bachelors degree
- Enroll full-time in at least 12 credits/billable hours at a Maryland community college
- Note: “Full-time” is defined slightly differently for career training students.
- Eligibility does not guarantee award.
Students enrolled in the Associate to Bachelors Nursing Program (ATB) are not eligible to receive the Maryland Community College Promise scholarship at CCBC because CCBC is not considered the student's home institution.
Non-Baltimore County residents who choose to attend CCBC must enroll in an approved MHEC Statewide program in order to receive Maryland Community College Promise funding.
How do I apply?
Baltimore County College Promise Scholarship
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
- Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA.
- CCBC’s school code is 002063.
- Complete General Application in AcademicWorks beginning in April 2023
- Submit all required documentation to Financial Aid Office. Students can login to SIMON to view all requested documents under Financial Aid.
- Submit an official final high school transcript or official report of GED passing scores to the Registrars Office.
Maryland DREAM Act Students
- Complete General Application in AcademicWorks
- Complete the Baltimore County College Promise for Maryland Dream Act supplemental application.
Applications for the Fall 2023 semester will be accepted April 17th, 2023 through October 13th, 2023.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
To apply:
- Submit the 2023-2024 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or MSFAA* (Maryland State Financial Aid Application) by March 1, 2023.
- Students may submit the MSFAA* if ineligible to submit the FAFSA.
- March 1 is the deadline to apply for the Community College Promise and several other Maryland college financial aid programs.
- Submitting the FAFSA or MSFAA by March 1 means you will be considered for the Promise program as well as several other valuable financial aid programs.
- List your community college on your FAFSA or MSFAA to ensure your application is considered for the Promise program.
- The CCBC school code is 002063
*NOTE: The above MSFAA link connects to the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s (MHEC) FAQ page on the MSFAA. The FAQ page includes a link for users to set up a Maryland College Aid Processing (MDCAPS) account which is where the MSFAA form is located.
How will I be notified?
Baltimore County College Promise Scholarship
The
CCBC Financial Aid office will let you know if you’re eligible for the Baltimore County College Promise scholarship via your CCBC email.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
How do I maintain College Promise?
Baltimore County College Promise Scholarship
If pursuing an associate degree, you must:
- File a Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) each year.
- Submit the General Application in Academic Works each academic year
- Maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits during fall and spring semesters).
- Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.3 Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Maintain a household adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less.
- Maintain Baltimore County Residency
- If dependent, parent(s) must be a legal resident of Maryland.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Successfully complete degree within three years.
Maryland DREAM Act students
- Renew Maryland Dream Act eligibility with the International Student Services office.
- Maintain a household adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less.
- Maintain Baltimore County Residency.
- Maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits/hours during fall and/or spring semesters).
- Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.3 Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Successfully complete degree within three years.
If seeking workforce licensure or certification (credit or non-credit), you must:
- File a Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) each year.
- Enroll full time and maintain continuous enrollment.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.3 Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Maintain a household adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less.
- Maintain Baltimore County Residency
- If dependent, parent(s) must be a legal resident of Maryland.
- Complete the credential within the prescribed timeline for the course/program requirements.
Maryland DREAM Act students
- Renew Maryland Dream Act eligibility with the International Student Services office.
- Maintain a household adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less.
- Maintain Baltimore County Residency.
- Maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits/hours during fall and/or spring semesters).
- Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.3 Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Complete the credential within the prescribed timeline for the course/program requirements.
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
Fall 2023 & Spring 2024
A recipient of a Promise Scholarship is eligible for up to two years of a renewable award if the recipient continues to:
- annually complete the FAFSA or MSFAA by March 1;
- remain eligible for in-state tuition
- enroll in and complete either:
- a sequence of credit or non-credit courses that leads to licensure or certification;
- or 12 credits at the end of each semester in credit bearing programs
- maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA if enrolled in a credit bearing program;
- make satisfactory progress towards a vocational certificate, a certificate, or an associates degree;
- participate in registered apprenticeship program; and
- meet the income requirements.
Students who wish to appeal the full time enrollment requirement should refer to the
MHEC appeal website for more information.
Promise fund recipients pursuing an academic degree at community college and planning to transfer and obtain a bachelor’s degree, may stay and earn their associate degree (usually 60 credits) before transferring, but they don’t have to. However, they do need to complete at least 48 credit hours at community college before transferring to a 4-year institution or they risk losing some of the benefits offered by the Promise program.
Who should I contact for more information?
Baltimore County College Promise Scholarship
Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship
Got promise? Ruby does!
"The College Promise scholarship helped me get through my classes without worrying about the financial struggle of paying for college."
Learn more about her experience»
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