Grants

Most grants are awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Students who meet the priority deadline have greater access to the limited amount of grant funds available, since applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Federal Pell Grant

This federal Title IV grants are for candidates seeking their first bachelor's degree who have exceptional financial need. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $6,345 for the 2020–21 award year (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021). Additional information will be forth coming regarding the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2021-22 award year  July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)

This federal Title IV grant is for exceptionally needy students pursuing a first bachelor's degree. Bowie State University may offer up to $1,500* to an eligible applicant.

*Annual grant maximums are subject to change.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. 

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students (see below for more information on high-need fields and schools serving low-income students). As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, a student must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which they received a TEACH Grant.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student in a post secondary educational institution
  • Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Such coursework may include subject area courses (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher)
  • Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25)
  • Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (see below for more information on the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve)

More information about the TEACH Grant Program

Maryland State Grants

The state of Maryland offers a number of state scholarship programs that are based on merit or other criteria.

To review Maryland state scholarship criteria or for more information, please visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission website.