University of Maryland Freshman Merit Scholarships 2025–2026
Are you a standout student with a strong academic record aiming to ease the financial load of college tuition? The University of Maryland (UMD) provides an array of freshman merit scholarships designed to reward top-performing students entering undergraduate programs. These highly competitive, non-need-based scholarships are awarded to recognize scholastic excellence and potential for leadership, helping reduce the cost of studying at one of America’s leading public universities.
King Saud University Scholarships in Saudi Arabia [Fully Funded]
Details:
- Partial Funding, Full tuition fee
- University of Maryland
- Undergraduate
- All Subjects
- International Students
- USA
- 11/01/2025
🎓 Degree Level
These scholarships are available for students pursuing undergraduate (bachelor’s) programs at the University of Maryland, USA.
📘 Fields of Study
All academic disciplines offered at UMD are covered under these scholarships.
💸 Scholarship Value & Key Highlights
UMD merit scholarships are designed to acknowledge and support incoming first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic success. The university aims to foster a thriving intellectual environment by investing in its most capable applicants.
Main Benefits Include:
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No separate scholarship application required
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Automatic consideration if you apply by the early action deadline (November 1, 2025)
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Awards vary from $1,500 to full tuition, housing, books, and more
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Open to both in-state and out-of-state U.S. students
🌍 Who Can Apply?
UMD’s freshman merit awards are open to:
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U.S. citizens
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Eligible non-citizens (e.g., U.S. permanent residents, visa holders meeting federal criteria)
⚠️ Note: International students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens do not qualify for these awards.
United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)
🏅 Types of UMD Freshman Merit Scholarships
🔹 Banneker/Key Scholarship – UMD’s Most Distinguished Award
This is the highest merit-based scholarship offered by UMD. It covers:
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Full tuition
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Mandatory student fees
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On-campus housing and meals
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A book stipend
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Admission to the Honors College
Eligibility & Selection:
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Students must apply by the early action deadline and be admitted to the Honors College.
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No separate application needed.
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Finalists are invited for interviews in late February or early March.
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Interview invitations are sent by March 1, and scholarship decisions are made by April 1.
The Banneker/Key Scholarship is awarded to individuals who display exceptional academic prowess, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to contributing to the UMD community.
🔹 President’s Scholarship – Up to $12,500 per Year
Available to both in-state and out-of-state students, this scholarship provides renewable four-year awards ranging from $2,000 to $12,500 annually.
Selection is based on:
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Academic records and GPA
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Involvement in extracurricular activities
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Personal statements
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Demonstrated leadership and achievements
🗓 Award notifications are issued by April 1, 2026.
🔹 Dean’s Scholarship – Up to $4,500 Over Two Years
Available exclusively to in-state students, this award grants:
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$1,500 for the first year or
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$4,500 spread over the first two years
Criteria Include:
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Outstanding academic performance
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Noteworthy extracurricular activities
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Accomplishments and recognitions
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High-quality admission essay
🗓 Recipients are informed by April 1, 2026. Approximately 400 students receive this award annually.
➕ Additional Funding Opportunities at UMD
UMD students may explore further scholarship options through:
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Scholarship Universe
An online tool that matches students to external scholarship opportunities tailored to their individual profile. -
Departmental Scholarships
Academic departments across UMD offer additional scholarships to exceptional students within specific fields of study. Students should contact individual departments for details.
✅ How to Qualify for UMD Merit Scholarships
To be automatically considered for UMD’s freshman merit scholarships:
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Apply for undergraduate admission by November 1, 2025 (early action deadline)
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Submit all required materials, including transcripts, essays, and optional test scores
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
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Must be applying for fall semester admission
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Applicants are reviewed based on:
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Academic excellence and course rigor
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Standardized test scores (optional but considered if submitted)
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Extracurricular engagement
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Awards and honors
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Quality of written essays
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⚠️ Note: Scholarship decisions are final and not open to appeal. Students will only receive one merit-based award through the admission process.
📅 Important Dates
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Application Deadline for Consideration: November 1, 2025
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Scholarship Notifications Sent By: April 1, 2026
🎯 Final Word
If you’re a high-achieving high school senior with a passion for learning and leadership, the University of Maryland’s merit scholarships are a powerful way to support your academic journey. Apply early, present your best self, and take one step closer to joining a vibrant and competitive academic community at UMD.
🌍 Other Opportunities Mentioned:
- University of Osaka MEXT Scholarship in Japan (Fully Funded) 2025-26
- Excellent Brains Austria 20 Fully Funded PhD Fellowships 2025
- Sabanci University Scholarships in Turkey 2025-26 [Fully Funded]
- Fulbright-Swiss Foreign Student and Visiting Scholarship 2026, USA
- Australian National University Scholarships 2025-26
- Fully Funded Texas A&M University Scholarships in USA
- Stanford University Scholarships in USA 2025-26
- Fully Funded Finland Government Scholarships
- HAW Hamburg Scholarships in Germany
- Lancaster University Scholarships in UK [Fully Funded] 2025-26
- NRF-DAAD In-Country Scholarship Fully Funded Master’s and PhD Study in South Africa
- University of British Columbia Fellowship 2025 in Canada | 4YF
Interest