Explore scholarships exclusively available to students in the College of Public Affairs in addition to funding available university-wide and ways to earn while working.
Scholarships are funds that don't need to be repaid. Some are automatically considered through your admission application or FAFSA, while others require you to submit a separate application. Automatic consideration does not guarantee an award. Funding is limited and subject to availability and eligibility.
Application required - Up to five $1,000 non-renewable awards are available for incoming AmeriCorps/VISTA or Teach for America volunteers and alumni entering a College of Public Affairs graduate program. Visit AmeriCorps VISTA Incentive Awards for eligibility and application details.
Application and FAFSA required - For Baltimore city government employees (at least 12 months full-time, including police and fire) pursuing a graduate degree. Requires a conferred undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher and at least half-time enrollment. Visit Baltimore City Scholars Program for eligibility and application details.
Application required - Open to graduate students facing economic challenges to higher education. Requires a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated extracurricular involvement, plus an essay on career goals and aspirations. Award amounts change yearly. Visit the Featherstone Foundation for current details.
Application required - Offered by Maryland state senators and delegates to graduate students in their districts who are enrolled at least half-time. Review requirements through the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Application required - More than 30 scholarships are made possible by generous alumni and friends of the University of Baltimore. Most serve the broader UBalt community, but a few are specifically for College of Public Affairs students. Opportunities change throughout the year, so check the UBalt Foundation Scholarship Application Portal regularly to identify opportunities and apply. Email foundationscholarships@ubalt.edu with any questions.
Automatic consideration and no FAFSA required - Award amount depends on a variety of factors and applies to tuition only. Students applying for fall and spring semesters will be considered. If awarded, students should refer to their scholarship offer letter for more details. Connect with an admission counselor or contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Application required - Students in the Doctor of Public Administration program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) may apply for scholarships through USG in addition to UBalt. Visit the USG Scholarships Portal for more information.
Application required - Graduate students enrolled at a University System of Maryland (USM) institution, like the University of Baltimore, are eligible to apply for the Board of Regents Student Excellence Scholarship. Click here to learn about all financial aid options available through the USM.
Application and FAFSA required - For Baltimore city government employees (at least 12 months full-time, including police and fire) pursuing an undergraduate degree and demonstrating financial need. Requires a minimum of 60 credits earned with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Must be enrolled at least half-time. Visit Baltimore City Scholars Program for eligibility and application details.
Automatic consideration with FAFSA - For undergraduates within 30 credits of graduating and at least a 2.0 GPA, who has financial hardship or has exhausted other financial aid eligibility. Contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Application required - Open to undergraduate students facing economic challenges to higher education. Requires a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated extracurricular involvement, plus an essay on career goals and aspirations. Award amounts change yearly. Visit the Featherstone Foundation for current details.
Application required - Offered by Maryland state senators and delegates to undergraduate students in their districts enrolled at least half-time. Review requirements through the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Automatic consideration with FAFSA - For undergraduate students who have completed at least 24 credits. Awards range from $400 per year up to full in-state tuition and fees. Visit Samuel G. Rose Scholars Award for eligibility and application details.
Application required - More than 30 scholarships are made possible by generous alumni and friends of the University of Baltimore. Most serve the broader UBalt community, but a few are specifically for College of Public Affairs students. Opportunities change throughout the year, so check the UBalt Foundation Scholarship Application Portal regularly to identify opportunities and apply. Email foundationscholarships@ubalt.edu with any questions.
Automatic consideration and no FAFSA required - Award amount depends on a variety of factors and applies to tuition only. Priority consideration is given to applications received by December 1 for the fall semester, and consideration for spring semester applicants is based on availability of funds. If awarded, students should refer to their scholarship offer letter for more details. Connect with an admission counselor or contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
The College of Public Affairs is committed to transfer student success. The following scholarships are exclusively available to transfer students. Visit Transfer Admissions to learn more about resources and support for transfer students at the University of Baltimore.
Automatic consideration with FAFSA - For Pell-eligible transfer students with an associate's degree (or qualify for the military waiver) and enroll at least half-time. Intended to cover any gap between the Pell Grant and in-state tuition and fees. Visit the Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund for more details.
Application required - For incoming transfer students entering with at least 60 credits and a 3.5 cumulative transfer GPA. Covers 100% of in-state tuition, renewable for four full-time semesters with a 3.25 GPA maintained. Cannot be combined with other UBalt institutional scholarships. Requires an application, a short essay, two letters of reference and transcripts. Download the application form here, and contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Grants are generally awarded based on financial need as demonstrated on the FAFSA, though specific eligibility requirements (such as GPA, credits remaining and enrollment status) vary by program. Note that federal grants and the UBalt grant are only available to undergraduate students.
Automatic consideration with FAFSA - Pell grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) may be awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Funding is limited and not guaranteed year to year. Visit Federal Grants to learn more.
Application and FAFSA required - Review requirements through the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Automatic consideration with FAFSA - For in-state students with demonstrated financial need who are enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester. Funding is limited. Contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Automatic consideration with FAFSA - For undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Ranges from $1,000 to full in-state tuition. Learn more about University Grants here, and contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Application required - For degree-seeking students who are children of a service member who died in military service or has a service-connected 100% permanent disability. Visit Scholarships and Grants to download application and renewal forms.
Automatic consideration - For active-duty military, veterans and dependents. Contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
For additional military and veteran benefits, including GI Bill processing, Tuition Assistance and the Bob Parsons Veterans Center, visit Military and Veterans Benefits.
Beyond scholarships and grants, you can earn income directly through paid positions on and off campus.
Application required - For juniors, seniors and graduate students with at least a 3.0 GPA and a strong interest in community development in Baltimore neighborhoods. Requires 8 hours per week at a host organization. Learn more about becoming a Community Development Fellow.
Application and FAFSA required - Students must demonstrate financial need and apply for hire through the UBWorks Portal. Federal work-study employees earn an hourly wage and generally work 10-12 hours per week. Visit Federal Work-Study to learn more, and contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Application required - Students with a 3.0 minimum GPA may combine work with graduate study. Search and apply for positions using the UBWorks Portal, and visit Graduate Assistantships to learn more.
Application required - Secure a paid internship through the Schaefer Center for Public Policy's NextGen Leaders for Public Service Program. Host sites include opportunities to work in Maryland state, local, and municipal government, nonprofits, and Baltimore community development organizations, though they may or may not satisfy your program's internship requirement.
Application required - For full-time graduate students with a background or interest in public policy research, program evaluation, survey research or strategic planning. Requires enrollment in at least 9 credits per semester and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Fellows work 20 hours per week in the center. Learn more and apply at the Schaefer Center.
Loans are funds that must be repaid with interest. Visit Loans to learn more, and contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Many funding sources require a completed FAFSA to be considered (although UBalt's merit-based scholarship does not). Visit the Office of Financial Aid for FAFSA deadlines and full guidance.
If you can't file a FAFSA: The FAFSA is only available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens and T-visa holders, so undocumented students can't file one. If you're undocumented and qualify for Maryland's in-state tuition exemption under §15-106.8 of the Education Article, you can apply for Maryland state financial aid instead through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) One App.
Explore all financial aid options