Scholarships
Harford Community College provides a number of scholarships that support students working to reach their goals of obtaining a college degree or certificate.
A current FAFSA® should be completed and on file in the Financial Aid Office to maximize scholarship eligibility. Use Harford's School Code: 002075.
College-Based Scholarships
There are two types of College scholarships available:
1 | Harford Community College Scholarships
2 | Harford Community College Foundation Scholarships.
Complete and submit one common application, accessed through AwardSpring, and you will be matched to the scholarship(s) you are eligible for. Once you have applied you will see the required documents to submit such as letters of recommendation, narratives and/or personal interviews or with the donor/s. Awards will be announced through your OwlMail and OwlNet accounts.
ALL STUDENTS are encouraged to complete Harford's scholarship application.
Grant-Based Scholarships
Each year Harford Community College applies for and receives several grants that provide our students with additional resources for specific areas of study. One of these resources is scholarships. Grant-based scholarships vary in amount and requirements but provide valuable funding to our students. Talk to your professors and your academic advisor to see if these may be available for your program of study and how to apply.
State Scholarships
Scholarship Application Checklist
CAREFULLY READ SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Some scholarships require a separate application, additional narratives, letters of
recommendation and/or a personal interview. It is important to submit all materials
required by the scholarship/grant for which you are applying. Failure to do so may
eliminate you from consideration for a scholarship.
Pay close attention to scholarship application deadlines and get your paperwork in early.
TRANSCRIPTS
- High school seniors and transfer students must submit a transcript. A final transcript is not required by the scholarship deadline but is encouraged upon graduation.
- Official transcripts from ALL previous colleges should be submitted.
- Current Harford Community College students do not need to submit a transcript.
NARRATIVE / ESSAY
Some scholarships require a brief narrative/essay through the online application.
In your essay, describe your academic and professional goals and how the scholarships and/or grants
will help you attain them, list your recent volunteer and community service activities
as well as something about your financial need.
Students who commit an act of academic dishonesty while applying for a scholarship, including Harford Community College scholarships, Harford Community College Foundation scholarships, or private scholarships, may have their application invalidated and/or may be subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism and copyright infringement and is a violation of Harford Community College’s Code for Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct.
Alfred C. O’Connell Scholarship | Open to graduating high school seniors in Harford County!
The prestigious Alfred C. O’Connell Scholarship covers the cost of tuition and regular fees for up to two consecutive years at Harford Community College. Graduating high school seniors are encouraged to complete the online application as this highly competitive scholarship is awarded to 10 incoming freshmen.
To apply, students must:
- be a Harford County resident
- have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 unweighted scale.
(GPA is calculated through grade 11 only.) - apply to Harford Community College as a full-time, degree-seeking student.
Those previously dual enrolled at Harford must submit a new admissions application for Fall 2025.
Questions? Contact admissions.
Private/External Scholarships
In contrast to Harford Community College or Harford Community College Foundation scholarships, private/external scholarships are created and funded by individuals, corporations, civic, religious, social, and fraternal organizations. These scholarships can range in amount from $250 to thousands of dollars, and some may cover the full cost of tuition, books and fees. You are encouraged to search out all sources for scholarships.