Banneker/Key Scholarship: The Banneker/Key Scholarship is the most prestigious merit scholarship offered to incoming UMD freshmen. It can cover up to the full cost of tuition, mandatory fees, housing and food, a book allowance, and includes admission to the Honors College. In selecting Banneker/Key Scholars, the selection committee seeks to identify potential academic leaders, who as individuals and as a group, will enrich and benefit from the campus learning environment.

All freshman applicants who are admitted to the Honors College are considered for the Banneker/Key Scholarship. No additional application materials are required. Banneker/Key Semifinalists will receive their interview invitation by March 1, and they will be notified of their final scholarship amount by April 1.

The President’s Scholarship: It provides four-year scholarship ranging from $2,000 to $12,500 per year. Both in-state and out-of-state applicants are eligible to receive the President’s Scholarship. Recipients are identified through evaluation of admission application materials including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, awards, honors and an essay. Selected students will be notified of their scholarship by April 1.

The Dean’s Scholarship offers an annual merit scholarship of $1,500 for freshman year or $4,500 per year for both freshman and sophomore years. The Dean’s Scholarship is not renewable, and only in-state applicants are eligible. Recipients are identified through evaluation of admission application materials including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, awards, honors and an essay. Each fall, roughly 400 new recipients of the Dean’s Scholarship are welcomed to the incoming class. Selected students will be notified of their scholarship by April 1.