Maryland Community College
Promise Scholarship

The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship available to both credit and noncredit/career/workforce students who enroll at a community college in the county where they reside. Eligible students can receive up to $5,000 to cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after Federal or State financial aid has been applied.

The Scholarship is one of the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s most popular programs. Since its introduction in 2019, Harford Community College has awarded more than $2 million in free aid to more than 500 credit and noncredit students, helping more than 280 students graduate with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

For credit students:

Join us for College Promise Application Day
THUrsday, JUL 23 | 12:30–4PM | Student Center, RM 243

This event focuses on the application and award process for credit students interested in the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship. Eligible students may apply for the scholarship on-the-spot.

CREDIT RSVP

If you’re a credit student seeking an associate degree or a credit-bearing certificate AND have completed the FAFSA®, you may already be eligible.

ELIGIBLE CREDIT PROGRAMS:

associate degree programs
credit-bearing vocational certificates
certificate programs

apply for promise scholarship

For noncredit students:

Join us online for a Noncredit College Promise Scholarship Information Event!
Thursday, Aug 6 | 6–7 PM | virtual

This event for noncredit students includes information about eligibility, the application process, and a time for questions. The event will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams and a link
will be sent to you after you RSVP.

noncredit RSVP

If you’re enrolled in a noncredit, career or workforce program that leads to licensure or certification you may be eligible. Completion of the FAFSA® isn’t required but you must submit a Noncredit Promise Application (available here after July 1, 2026)

ELIGIBLE NONCREDIT PROGRAMS:

noncredit programs leading to licensure
or certification

Application available JUL 1

Commonly Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements?

Credit applicants must complete the FAFSA® annually before April 15 of the end of the academic year. OR Students who do not qualify to complete a FAFSA® can complete the MHEC One App on their MDCAPS account by previous listed date.
Applicants must attend the community college located in the county in which they live.
Applicants must be eligible for in-state tuition.
Credit applicants only: applicants must have a high school GPA of at least 2.3 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first semester of their senior year in high school or by the end of their senior year in high school.
Or, individuals currently enrolled at a community college must document an earned minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 while enrolled at a community college.
If an applicant is single or resides in a single-parent household, their annual adjusted gross income (AGI) may not exceed $100,000. If an applicant is married or resides in a two-parent household, their annual AGI may not exceed $150,000.
Applicants must be a Maryland high school graduate or Maryland GED® recipient
Applicants must not have previously earned a bachelor’s or an associate degree. He/she must also not have been awarded another educational grant or scholarship that covers the applicant’s full cost of attendance at a community college.

Can I receive the Promise Scholarship for the summer semester?

Yes! Credit students can receive the Promise scholarship contingent upon the availability of such funding. They must also meet the following criteria:

Register at least half-time (6 credits) for the summer semester.
Must earn at least 6 credits at the end of the spring semester.
Have not received the full $5,000 allocation for the academic year
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and the 2.5 minimum GPA requirement
Have not exceeded their financial need

How is the scholarship awarded?

The Promise Scholarship is awarded first come, first serve, and funds are limited. The order of awarding is as follows:

Renewals: students who meet the awarding requirements AND received the scholarship in the previous year
FT/ Sequence noncredit: credit students enrolled full time – at least 12 credits OR students in an eligible noncredit certificate/continuing education program
Part-time: students enrolled in less than 12 credits

If I am awarded a scholarship, what do I need to do?

Credit recipients must submit a completed Verification of Residency and Drug Policy Form before they can be awarded.
Recipients and parents (if applicable) must continue to reside in Maryland and in Harford County. Students must also maintain continuous enrollment.
Credit recipients must complete at least 6 credits and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of each semester.
Recipients must continue to meet the income requirements set by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
Noncredit recipients must complete Harford's Promise Scholarship application annually.
Noncredit recipients must maintain continuous enrollment in their enrolled sequence of courses that leads to licensure or certification

Do all eligible students receive the Promise Scholarship?

Funds are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Eligible applicants who do not receive an award will be notified and placed on a waiting list. All awards are contingent upon the availability of such funding. Awards are not guaranteed even if an individual meets all minimum eligibility requirements.