Frederick Douglass Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by University of Maryland

Introduction
The Frederick Douglass Scholarship (FDS) is a competitive, merit-based award offered by the University of Maryland to outstanding transfer students coming from Maryland community colleges. The scholarship honors the legacy of Frederick Douglass—abolitionist, suffragist, writer, and advocate for social change—and supports academically strong students who demonstrate leadership and promise. Each year, 30 full-tuition and 15 partial-tuition awards are granted following a selective review and interview process.

Timeline and contact
Applications must be submitted no later than March 1 by 5:00 p.m. Candidates chosen for further consideration will be invited to interview in late March or early April. Scholarship winners will be informed by the end of April. For questions, email FDS@umd.edu.

Eligibility
To be considered for the Frederick Douglass Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be admitted to UMD for the current spring term, or be a transfer applicant who has submitted a complete application (including all required documents) for the upcoming fall term, and have no prior degree-seeking enrollment at UMD.
- Be a Maryland resident at the time of application as indicated on the residency questions within the admissions application; UMD follows the Board of Regents’ residency classification rules.
- Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or otherwise qualify for in-state status through a non-resident tuition exemption at the time of application.
- Hold a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher, calculated across all college coursework (including work taken outside Maryland community colleges).
- Have earned an associate’s degree from a Maryland community college, or have completed—or be in the process of completing—56 college credits, with the most recent 30 credits earned at a Maryland community college.
- The degree or requisite credits must be completed by the end of the spring semester in which the application is submitted.
- Applicants who will reach their 56th credit at the time of application must show the courses as in progress on their transcript or on the transfer application.
- Demonstrate English language proficiency as evidenced by a review of application materials.

Important application-residency notes
If you have questions about eligibility, residency classification, or application materials, contact FDS@umd.edu before March 1. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all scholarship and admission documents are submitted and received by the March 1 deadline. Any residency issues that could affect in-state eligibility or other admission documentation must be resolved by the applicant. It is recommended you inquire 7–10 business days before the deadline for best consideration. Any discrepancies must be cleared within five business days after the deadline, including submission of any additional documents needed for final residency determination.

How to apply
Submit the following items by March 1 to be considered for the Frederick Douglass Scholarship:
1. A completed transfer application for admission to UMD.
2. A completed FDS application.
- Applicants seeking admission for the fall term must submit the online FDS application by March 1. Students recently admitted for the spring term are also eligible to apply by March 1.
3. Official transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.
4. A resume or activities-and-awards list that includes dates and brief descriptions of your involvement.
5. A 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay that addresses the prompt below:
- Describe the neighborhood or community where you were raised. Explain how it influenced your ambitions and values, and how you plan to use your academic and professional goals to make an impact at UMD and beyond.
6. Two letters of recommendation. One letter must come from a community college faculty member; the second may be from another individual of your choice. Recommenders must send their letters directly to FDS@umd.edu.

Note
The Frederick Douglass Scholarship has replaced the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship.