Scholarships
More than $350,000 in Scholarships for Your College Education are Available for New and Returning Students
Don’t let the cost of tuition cancel your college plans. Get help paying for your Carroll education by applying for a wide variety of scholarships offered for college students of all types. All new and current students should apply.
Foundation Scholarships – Open in March 2026.
Scholarship awards for the 2026-2027 academic year give Carroll students access to a wide range of donor-funded scholarships that support both need-based and merit-based applications. Scholarship cycles run:
- Cycle 1 – March 3 – 31, 2026
- Cycle 2 – May 12 – 29, 2026
- Cycle 3 – July 17 – 31, 2026
Students who apply during any cycle will automatically be considered for later cycles as well.
Click here for updated information on deadlines.
To be considered for Foundation Scholarships, students must meet the following requirements:
- Enrollment: Be registered for at least 6 billable hours in a credit program at Carroll.
- Carroll Credentials: Have a carrollcc.edu email and single-sign-on (SSO) credentials.
- Educational Background: Have a high school diploma or GED before fall 2026 classes. (Dual-enrolled high school students for the 2026-2027 year are not eligible.)
- Academic Standing: Be in good academic standing.
- Need-based scholarships: Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered.
- Merit-based scholarships: Students without a FAFSA can only be considered for merit-based scholarships.
- Students can submit their scholarship applications before or without completing the FAFSA, but they cannot be considered for need-based scholarships until the Financial Aid Office receives their FAFSA.
- Complete the Enrollment Application:
- New students must first complete this enrollment application to be considered for scholarships.
- Current students can go straight to the Foundation Scholarships online application.
- Complete the FAFSA:
- If you haven’t yet filed a 2026–2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), please do so today.
- You can also complete the MSFAA on the MDCAPS website for need-based scholarship consideration.
- Browse Available Scholarships:
- Review available scholarships and submit your application online. By completing a single online application, students will be considered for over 150 scholarships with more than 350 awards.
- The application requires:
- Questions about academic and career plans, past experiences, and affiliations.
- A short essay (maximum 600 words), which helps the scholarship committee learn more about you, your goals, and why you are a good candidate.
Note: Scholarships are not awarded until all eligibility criteria have been met and verified by the Financial Aid Office.
For additional information, please refer to the Scholarship Guide or contact foundation@carrollcc.edu.
Merit-Based Awards – Incoming High School Graduates
To be eligible for these awards, qualified applicants must register and enroll as full-time (12 billable hours) students by July 15 for the Fall term immediately following high school graduation.
Rising STEM Scholar Award
Are you seeking an exciting career in the STEM field? Students admitted into our prestigious STEM Scholars Honors program receive $750 per semester for two years—that’s 20% off tuition toward an Associate’s degree.
Learn More About STEM Scholars
Pappalardo Honors Program Award
Students admitted into our prestigious Pappalardo Honors program receive $750 per semester for two years.
Learn More About the Pappalardo Honors Program
Jump Start Award
High school students who, while dually enrolled at Carroll, had earned a minimum of six (6) college credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible to receive this monetary incentive when they pursue an Associate’s degree at Carroll.
Contact Admissions at 410-386-8430 or admissions@carrollcc.edu to learn more about information about the Jump Start Award.
Special Scholarship Programs
First in my Family Scholarship
The First in My Family program is designed to support first-generation students at Carroll Community College. To be eligible for this scholarship, neither parent or guardian can have graduated with an Associate or Bachelor’s degree.
Learn More About First in My Family Scholarship
New Start Scholarships – For Those 25 or Older
Introducing an exciting new option for adult students who are age 25 or older – The New Start Scholarship. The New Start Scholarship is designed to help you begin or resume your higher education journey. If you are new to the College or returning to us after two years, we’ll pay for your first class. That’s more than a $500 value!
Apply to Carroll