Scholarships Offered To Maryland Residents

When it comes to scholarships, Maryland has come up with some very unique packages for its citizenry. It also has teamed up with many of its neighboring states to properly reward promising scholars not only for their academic merit, but also meritorious citizenship.

For example, Maryland shares the Horatio P. Alger Scholarship program with Washington DC and Virginia. Applicants must prove they have overcome "great" obstacles in their lives to be considered. They must also prove that they in turn are leaders in their community and service-oriented. On the academic side, the student must have a 2.0 grade point average or better, and intend to get either an Associate's or Bachelor's degree. It can be in any major. In return, the recipient will receive a $2,500 award.

The state is also part of the Christa McAuliffe Memorial Teacher Education Award. In this case, the McAuliffe is a loan forgiveness program, waiving college loans to anyone with a degree in Teaching for a predetermined number of years working in an under-served elementary or secondary school. It is open to both undergraduates and professionals with degrees and can not exceed $17,700 dollars.

Like a number of other states, Maryland also has come to an arrangement with its state chapter of the American Legion. The Maryland version is open to anyone between 16-19 years old, the dependent of a soldier or veteran and comes to $500.

One of the more unique programs offered in the state is offered by the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association. Each year, the Association offers two full scholarships to students planning on degrees in either Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice. All applications are administered through a student's local police department. Candidates must be 17-21 years old, also have a track record for community service and scholastic achievement.

There is also the Jack and Jill of America program. It is awarded to graduating high school seniors also with a record of community service as well as a strong academic record. They must also prove financial need. In this case, the program is administered through one's personal high school.

Yet one of the most unique programs offered in Maryland is the Lighthouse Scholarship and Career award. This plan is open to the blind or severely visually impaired. This scholarship program actually has four different awards, valued at $5,000 each. The first is the College-Bound and is for high school graduates. Then there are Undergraduate I and Undergraduate II. The first is also for students straight out of high school. The second is for those returning to college, as long as it is after ten years or more of their high school graduation of leaving college. Lastly, they also have a program for those pursuing their Masters or Doctorate degree. Candidates also have the option of going to college in 18 different U.S. states.