19 Resources
The Maryland Higher Education Commission administers state financial aid programs including need-based grants, scholarships, and educational opportunity initiatives for Maryland residents. Programs include the Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant and the Educational Assistance Grant for low-income students. Call 410-767-3300 or email mhec@maryland.gov for information. Located at 6 N Liberty St, Baltimore. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Apply for state aid by completing the FAFSA and a separate Maryland state application.
410-767-3300 · 6 N Liberty St, Baltimore, MD 21201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Maryland has 16 affordable community colleges statewide offering associate degrees, workforce training, transfer programs, and continuing education courses. Tuition is significantly lower than four-year universities and many programs qualify for SNAP Employment and Training funding for eligible women. Call your nearest campus for current enrollment and tuition information. Visit mdacc.org for a directory of all 16 campuses. Financial aid including Pell Grants and state grants is available to qualifying students.
410-974-8117 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the required application for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs at US colleges and universities. Complete the FAFSA each year at studentaid.gov to access Pell Grants of up to $7,395, subsidized student loans, and work-study opportunities. Call 800-433-3243 for help completing your application. No fee to apply. Most Maryland financial aid programs also require the FAFSA as a prerequisite. Apply as early as possible each year.
800-433-3243 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
The Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award is a Maryland state need-based grant for low-income Maryland residents attending eligible in-state colleges and universities. The Guaranteed Access Grant targets students with extremely high need, while the Educational Assistance Grant serves a broader low-income population. Call 410-767-3300 for eligibility details. Located at 6 N Liberty St, Baltimore. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Apply by completing the FAFSA and any required Maryland state aid applications.
410-767-3300 · 6 N Liberty St, Baltimore, MD 21201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Morgan State University is Maryland's public HBCU in Baltimore, offering academic programs across all major disciplines along with student support services including women's programming, tutoring, financial aid counseling, and career development. Women interested in attending can call 443-885-3333 for admissions information. Located at 1700 E Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Tuition and financial aid information available at morgan.edu. Morgan State is a designated HBCU with mission-driven support for first-generation and low-income students.
443-885-3333 · 1700 E Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore, MD 21251 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
The University of Maryland College Park offers Women's Studies degree programs and resources through its Department of Women's Studies, providing feminist scholarship, gender studies research, and community engagement opportunities. The flagship campus also has a Women's Center providing advocacy, support groups, and programming for women students. Call 301-405-1000 for academic information. Located at College Park. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Resident undergraduate tuition and extensive financial aid programs available for qualifying women.
301-405-1000 · College Park, MD 20742 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Maryland's Adult Education program provides free GED preparation, adult literacy classes, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction for adults across Maryland. Classes are offered through community colleges and community-based organizations at no cost. Call 410-767-0100 or visit dllr.state.md.us/gedmd to find the nearest class location. Hours vary by location. Bring photo ID to enroll. A free pathway for women who did not complete high school to earn credentials needed for college or better-paying jobs.
410-767-0100 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website
Bowie State University is a Maryland public HBCU offering bachelor's and graduate degree programs with strong student support services for first-generation and low-income students. The university provides academic advising, tutoring, career services, and student wellness programs including support for women. Call 301-860-4000 for admissions and financial aid information. Located at 14000 Jericho Park Rd, Bowie. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Bowie State is one of the most affordable four-year universities in Maryland.
301-860-4000 · 14000 Jericho Park Rd, Bowie, MD 20715 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Maryland 529 offers tax-advantaged college savings plans to help families save for future higher education expenses. The Maryland College Investment Plan allows contributions to grow tax-deferred and be withdrawn tax-free for qualified education expenses. Maryland residents contributing to the plan may deduct up to ,500 per account per year from state income taxes. Call 888-463-4723 or visit maryland529.com for plan options and enrollment. Located at 217 E Redwood St Suite 1350, Baltimore. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm.
888-463-4723 · 217 E Redwood St Suite 1350, Baltimore, MD 21202 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov is the required application for all federal financial aid including Pell Grants, subsidized and unsubsidized student loans, and Federal Work-Study programs. Complete the FAFSA each year beginning October 1 for the upcoming academic year. The process takes approximately 30-60 minutes. You will need your tax return information, Social Security number, and FSA ID to complete the application. Apply as early as possible — some aid is first come, first served.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Federal Pell Grant provides need-based education funding of up to $7,395 per year for qualifying undergraduate students that does not need to be repaid. Eligibility is based on your FAFSA results, enrollment status, and cost of attendance. Pell Grants are available at community colleges, four-year universities, and vocational schools. Students may receive Pell Grants for up to 12 semesters of undergraduate study. Apply each year by completing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov — no separate application needed.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The American Association of University Women offers multiple fellowships, grants, and awards supporting women pursuing degrees and research careers. Programs include the American Fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral women, the Career Development Grants for women returning to college or entering new career fields, and the Selected Professions Fellowships for women in male-dominated fields. Visit aauw.org for current funding opportunities, deadlines, and eligibility requirements. Open to women at accredited US institutions.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
P.E.O. International is a philanthropic organization offering multiple scholarship, grant, and loan programs exclusively for women pursuing higher education. Programs include the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education for women who have had an educational interruption, the P.E.O. Scholar Awards for women at the doctoral level, and the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship. Local P.E.O. chapters sponsor applicants. Visit peointernational.org to find a local chapter and learn about current funding programs and eligibility.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards provide education grants to women who are the primary financial support for themselves and their families and who are pursuing post-secondary education. Awards typically range from $500 to
0,000 and can be used for tuition, books, childcare, and other educational expenses. Applications are accepted through local Soroptimist clubs. Visit soroptimist.org to find a sponsoring club near you and learn about current application deadlines. Award funding available in multiple rounds.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for low-income women age 35 and older who are pursuing a technical or vocational certificate or an undergraduate degree. Scholarships are awarded annually and range up to ,000. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited US educational program. Visit rankinfoundation.org for current scholarship application deadlines and requirements. A critical resource for older women returning to education.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Patsy Mink Education Foundation provides education support and grants specifically for low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education or job training. The foundation honors the legacy of Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink by expanding educational opportunities for women who face financial hardship. Visit patsyminkfoundation.org for current grant programs, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines. Awards are competitive and require demonstration of financial need and educational goals.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Scholarships.com is a free national scholarship search engine with listings of millions of scholarships for women, minorities, adult learners, and students in specific fields of study. Create a free profile and the matching engine will identify scholarships relevant to your background, major, and demographics. The database includes scholarships specifically for single mothers, women returning to college, and women in STEM. Access the full database free at scholarships.com — no subscription required.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
College Board's BigFuture platform provides free college planning tools, a scholarship search database, and SAT prep resources for students and their families. Use the college search to compare costs, majors, and financial aid packages at schools across the US. The scholarship search identifies awards based on your background and interests. Access all tools free at bigfuture.collegeboard.org — no paid subscription required. Particularly useful for first-generation college students and their families navigating the college search.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Khan Academy offers free official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board, providing personalized study plans, full-length practice tests, and instructional videos covering every section of the SAT. Create a free Khan Academy account and link your College Board account to get a personalized practice plan based on your PSAT or SAT scores. Available at khanacademy.org/sat 24/7 on any device. Recommended for women preparing to enter or re-enter college who need to take the SAT.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many college & education resources are in Maryland?
- Women's Corner tracks 19 verified college & education resources for women in Maryland.
- Are college & education resources in Maryland free?
- 15 of the 19 listed college & education resources in Maryland are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Maryland have college & education resources?
- Listings span cities including Baltimore, College Park, Bowie.
- What are some examples of college & education resources in Maryland?
- Featured entries include Maryland Higher Education Commission, Maryland Community Colleges, FAFSA — Federal Student Aid, Maryland Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award, Morgan State University — Women's Center.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 9 of 19 Maryland college & education listings include verified phone numbers.