Bowie State University and Prince George’s County Public Schools Launch Fast-Track Admissions Partnership

(Bowie, Md.) — Bowie State University and Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) announced a memorandum of understanding establishing a fast-track direct-admissions program for eligible PGCPS graduating seniors. The partnership creates a simplified admissions pathway and provides coordinated support, including application workshops, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion events and activities to support students as they transition from high school to college.

The partnership helps local students pursue a college degree close to home while strengthening connections between PGCPS, Bowie State University and the broader community. The affordable in‑state option helps families reduce college costs while offering students a nurturing HBCU experience.

“Bowie State University is proud to partner with Prince George’s County Public Schools to expand access to higher education for students in Maryland,” said Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, president of Bowie State University. “The fast-track admissions program creates a clear and supportive pathway to a four-year degree and opens the door to meaningful experiential learning and career opportunities for PGCPS students right here on our campus. At the same time, we are strengthening the talent pipeline that fuels our local workforce and advancing Bowie State’s role as an anchor institution driving innovation, opportunity and economic impact across Prince George’s County and the Washington, D.C. region.”

Bowie State has awarded more than 600 scholarships to PGCPS seniors for fall 2026, totaling more than $1 million. An additional $600,000 in scholarships will be provided, all made possible by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s historic donations to Bowie State.

“This partnership with Bowie State University — Maryland’s first HBCU and one of the 10 oldest in our nation — represents a monumental homecoming for our students' dreams,” said Dr. Shawn Joseph, interim PGCPS superintendent. “We are not simply streamlining admissions; we are honoring the brilliance that lives in every Prince George’s County classroom, training the next generation of county leaders right here at home, and ensuring the excellence cultivated in our hallways becomes the leadership that drives our county forward for generations to come. This is the power of our village in action: removing barriers so our graduates can step boldly into their destiny.”

PGCPS high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible for the BSU fast-track admissions program. To apply, students must complete an interest form and submit an unofficial high school transcript. The process is streamlined and does not require essays, recommendation letters or application fees, and it is also test-optional. The program is effective through Oct. 1, 2028.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State has earned the ‘Research College and University’ designation in the 2025 Carnegie Research Activity Classification. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

About Prince George’s County Public Schools
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), one of the nation's 20th largest school districts, has 201 schools and centers, more than 133,000 students and nearly 20,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide students with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion. For more information about PGCPS, visit pgcps.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stacie Burgess, sburgess@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311