Collectively, Maryland’s colleges and universities offer every type of educational experience, whether for the traditional college student who goes directly to college from high school, or for students who have already begun their careers and want to learn new skills.

Maryland is proud that nearly one-third of its residents age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is the fourth highest percentage among all states.

The resources offered in this section, which are unique to Maryland, consist of higher-education institutions, savings plans, state financial-aid programs, benefits for veterans, publications and special programs.

Maryland Higher-Education Agencies

• Maryland Higher Education Commission.
• University System of Maryland.
• Maryland State Department of Education.
• Maryland Association of Community Colleges.
• Maryland Association of Private Career Schools.

Maryland Higher-Education Institutions

• Public and private four-year colleges and universities offer a wide range of undergraduate-, graduate-, and professional-degree programs.
• Community colleges offer two-year degree programs and technical training at affordable tuition rates.
• Private career schools offer training and educational programs that focus on specific occupational areas.
• Distance learning provides opportunities to take courses online.
• Finding a Major lets you search Maryland postsecondary schools by program of interest.

Use College Answer's School Search Tool to compare colleges and universities on your list.

Savings Plans

• Maryland Prepaid College Trust allows families to lock in future college tuition at today’s prices.
• The Maryland College Investment Plan is a great way to give students more educational options and offers many advantages.

State Financial-Aid Programs

Maryland offers a variety of financial-aid programs such as grants, scholarships, and other awards for students who want to further their education beyond high school:

• State Financial-Aid Programs
• Regents Scholars Program

Important: To qualify for federal and state financial aid, you must file the FAFSA. To ensure priority consideration for Maryland state scholarships and grants, your FAFSA must be submitted online or postmarked by March 1.

Use the Maryland College Aid Calculator to estimate how much you'll need to pay toward your college costs.

Benefits for Veterans

Students who attend an approved postsecondary institution and meet the requirements under the GI Bill, may be eligible for these education benefits.

• Education Benefits Information for Maryland's Veterans.
• Information on GI Benefits.
• GI Bill Licensing and Certification Test Cost. Reimbursement.

Publications

• College 411 a helpful guide to state financial-aid programs.
• An Academic Year: Preparing for College Calendar for high-school seniors to assist in preparing for college.
• Student Guide to Higher Education and Financial Aid in Maryland provides information on Maryland's postsecondary schools and state financial-aid programs. Also available in Spanish.
• Transfer Scholarship Guide for Maryland Community College Students assists transfer students in identifying and obtaining scholarships at four-year institutions.

Special Programs

• Academic Common Market offers students an opportunity to enroll in certain out-of-state bachelor's and graduate programs that are not offered at a Maryland public in-state college or university, at reduced tuition rates.
• Maryland Summer Centers Programs for gifted and talented students.
• INROADS offers leadership programs to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry.
• Service-learning is a teaching method that combines meaningful service to the community with curriculum-based learning.
• Explore careers and job opportunities at the Maryland Workforce Exchange .
• Southern Maryland College Access Network offers financial aid and college admission advice.