Most students know the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) for its incredible underdog basketball team. But did you know it is also an underdog in financial aid?
UMBC offers a specific set of “Scholars Programs” that are separate from standard financial aid.1 These are prestigious merit awards that grant selected students between $5,000 and $22,000 per year.2
Over four years, that is $88,000 in free money.
For many students (especially in-state), this covers Full Tuition and Fees.
Here is the breakdown of the top programs you must apply for before the January 2026 deadlines.
1. The Meyerhoff Scholars Program (STEM Glory)
This is arguably the most famous STEM scholarship in the United States. It is designed for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in science or engineering.3
- Value: Up to $22,000 per year (Total $88,000).4
- Perks: Personal advising, research opportunities, and a tight-knit community.
- Deadline: January 15, 2026 (Priority: December 1, 2025).5
- Process: You must apply for UMBC admission first, then complete the separate Meyerhoff application.6
2. CWIT & Cyber Scholars (For Tech Geniuses)
If you are a woman in technology or a student of any gender interested in Cybersecurity, these two programs are gold mines.
Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholars:
- Value: Up to $22,000/year for out-of-state ($15,000 for in-state).7
- Focus: Computer Science, Information Systems, and Engineering.
Cyber Scholars:
- Value: Up to $15,000/year.
- Focus: Cybersecurity interests.8
- Deadline for Both: January 15, 2026.9
3. Linehan Artist Scholars (For Creatives)
You don’t need to be a scientist to get paid at UMBC. The Linehan program is for talented artists.10
- Value: $5,000 – $22,000 per year.11
- Eligibility: Majors in Dance, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts.12
- Requirement: You must pass an Audition or Portfolio Review.
- Deadline: Application due January 31, 2026 (but portfolios/auditions may be earlier!).
4. Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars
Do you want to be a teacher? The Sherman program pays you to prepare for the classroom.13
- Value: Up to $15,000 per year.
- Goal: Preparing high-quality STEM teachers for urban schools.14
- Deadline: January 15, 2026.15
Scholarship Value Breakdown (2026)
| Scholarship Name | Annual Value | Max 4-Year Value | Deadline |
| Meyerhoff Scholars | $22,000 | $88,000 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Linehan Artists | $22,000 | $88,000 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| CWIT Scholars | $22,000 | $88,000 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Humanities | $22,000 | $88,000 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Sondheim Public Affairs | $22,000 | $88,000 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| General Merit | $1,000 – $12,000 | Varies | Automatic |
“Automatic” Merit Scholarships
If you don’t fit into the specific “Scholars Programs” above, don’t worry.
Every student who applies to UMBC is automatically considered for General Merit Scholarships based on GPA and Test Scores.16
- No separate application required.
- Value: Awards vary, but typically range from $1,000 to $12,000 per year.
- GPA Maintenance: You usually need to keep a 3.25 GPA to renew these awards.
International GPA Converter (4.0 Scale)
Estimate your unweighted GPA by selecting the grade value for up to 5 courses. This is for quick reference only.
| Course Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|
| Course 1 | |
| Course 2 | |
| Course 3 | |
| Course 4 | |
| Course 5 |
Your Estimated GPA: 0.00
Note: This is an unweighted estimate. Always use official WES/IEE services for final scholarship applications.
How to Apply (The “Scholars” Loophole)
To win the big $22k awards, you cannot just apply for admission. You must follow this specific order:
- Apply to UMBC Early: Submit your Common App by November 1 (Early Action) to get your “Campus ID” quickly.17
- Access Scholarship Retriever: Use your Campus ID to log into the UMBC scholarship portal.18
- Submit Separate Apps: Find the specific application for Meyerhoff, Linehan, or CWIT and submit it by January 15, 2026.19
