2023-2024 University System of Maryland
Transfer Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are students who have already transferred from a community college to a USM institution eligible to apply for these awards?

No, students who are already enrolled at a USM institution are not eligible. The USM transfer scholarships have been designated to provide financial aid to Maryland community college students who are planning to transfer to USM institution after graduation from a community college or after completing the last 56 credits.

2. Can the student take a semester or two away from college between completing the community college work and enrolling in a USM Institution?

Yes, applicants that plan to begin their studies an USM Institution in the spring semester should apply in the same application cycle as the students who intend to begin in the previous fall term. Students who intend to begin in the spring are expected to meet all application requirements by the regular deadline.

3. What if the student will complete community college studies in December, not May when should the student apply for USM Transfer Scholarships?

The student should apply as if they were going to graduate in May. The student must maintain the GPA requirement in the fall and then they can enroll in a USM Institution in the Spring.

4. Will students' applications still be considered if they have less than the required minimum G.P.A?

No, the minimum GPA requirement ranges from 3.8 to 4.0 depending on the award.

5. Can applicants apply for more than one scholarship?

Yes, Community College students can apply for multiple scholarships if they meet the requirements for those scholarships; however, the applicants will use the link to complete the designated applications of their choice (Part-Weinberg, Gross, Schaefer, Board of Regents, and Kelly)

6. Is there a minimum word requirement for the "Professional and Academic Goals" component of the application?

There is no minimum or maximum word count required for the professional and academic goals essay component of the application, but the essay should not exceed two pages.

Types of USM Scholarships

USM scholarship awards available to First-Year students consist of two categories: Regents Scholars and Maryland Student Support Awards.