Frederick Douglass Scholarship

In order to be eligible for the Frederick Douglass Scholarship, students must:

• Be an admitted UMD student for the current spring semester or a transfer applicant with a completed and submitted application (including all required documents) for the upcoming fall semester with no previous degree-seeking status at the university. 
• Be a Maryland resident at the time of applying. This is determined by the applicant's response to the residency questions on the admission application. UMD adheres to the Board of Regents' residency classification policies.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time of applying.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for all college work, including work from institutions other than Maryland community colleges.
• Earned an associate’s degree from a Maryland community college, 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 credits must be earned prior to the first semester of enrollment at UMD.
  • Students completing their 56th credit at the time of applying must reflect that courses are in progress on their transcript or on the transfer application.
• Show English language proficiency, as demonstrated through a review of all materials submitted with the application.

Any inquiries regarding scholarship criteria, application completion (including receipt of required documents) or a student's residency status, must be sent via email to FDS@umd.edu before March 1. It is the applicant's responsbility to ensure all materials are submitted and received by the March 1 application deadline. Any disrepancies must be resolved within five business days of the deadline, including the receipt of any additional documentation required for review and final residency determination.

To apply for the Frederick Douglass Scholarship, candidates must submit the following required materials by March 1:

• A completed transfer application for admission.
• A completed FDS application.
  
  • Fall semester applicants must complete the FDS application online by March 1 to be considered for the scholarship.
  • Newly admitted Spring semester transfer students are eligible to apply for the FDS by filling out the online application by March 1.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• An activities and awards list or resume detailing your extracurricular and personal activities, including dates, and describing your involvement and participation.
• A 500 word, typed and double-spaced essay on the following topic:
  
  • Describe the neighborhood or community you grew up in. How has it shaped your dreams and aspirations, and how do you intend to use your educational and professional goals to impact the UMD and beyond?
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a community college faculty member and one from an individual of your choosing. All recommendation letters must be submitted to FDS@umd.edu directly from the recommenders.

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