Scholarships

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been the leading source for post-secondary scholarship funding in Frederick County. Our program supports nearly every area of study imaginable, with scholarships funded by generous donors who believe in the value of education.

Some donors want to support students aspiring to careers similar to theirs; other donors want to give back to the community that has generously given to them. Others wish to honor the legacies of their loved ones, both living and deceased.

2021-2022 Scholarship Application Information

The Community Foundation of Frederick County scholarship application will be available for the 2021-2022 academic year beginning March 1, 2021. The completed application with required attachments must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 31, 2021.

Students about to complete their senior year of high school, students already enrolled in a trade school, college or university, and non-traditional students over the age of 21 are eligible to apply. Scholarship criteria are established by the scholarship funds’ founding donors. Some scholarships do not consider financial need. All students are encouraged to apply.

A link to the application will be posted on this webpage closer to March 1.

For information about scholarships outside of the general scholarship cycle, please see below.

Scholarship Committee Volunteers Are Needed

The Community Foundation is currently accepting applications to serve on its scholarship review committee for the 2021-2022 academic year. This committee makes recommendations to the Scholarship Leadership Committee regarding scholarships from funds which the Community Foundation has the responsibility of choosing awardees. If you are interested in serving, have a computer and internet access, and can dedicate between 10 and 20 hours in April 2021 to review applications, please read the Scholarship Committee Overview document for more details.

Scholarship Application Virtual Information Sessions

The Community Foundation will be hosting a series of virtual information sessions about our scholarship application. Check back here for more details.

2020 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Finish Virtual Events

To lower barriers to post-secondary education, the Frederick County FAFSA Coalition is providing free video workshops to assist students in completing the FAFSA form. This form is the first step in accessing a variety of scholarships and federal funding.

Register below to request a FAFSA Finish virtual appointment. Once your registration is received, a FAFSA Finish representative will contact you to make a video appointment. During this appointment, a financial aid expert will work with you to complete your FAFSA and be available to answer your questions. Please be sure to complete all steps in the registration process.

Additional Resources

How to create an FSA ID

For any students who do not currently have internet access, Comcast (Xfinity) is providing free internet access to the community through hotspots. You can visit https://wifi.xfinity.com to locate hotspots throughout the county. Comcast (Xfinity) is also offering a service called Internet Essentials, a low-cost internet service to those who qualify. Visit https://www.internetessentials.com for further information.

I am attending Villanova University majoring in chemical engineering, with a pre-med track. I intend to obtain Ph.D. and M.D. degrees and go into research to develop medical devices. Because of a summer encounter program through my parish interacting with children, I want to create mentorship programs and my education will grant me the platform for such ventures. Thank you for investing my future.

Pia Nomen, recipient of The Kevin R. and Sara J. Wade Scholarship, 2018-2019.

Trade,Technical, and Other Scholarships

Scholarships available outside of the general scholarship program are posted here.

Frederick County residents studying to enter trade and technical fields may apply to receive scholarships that help pay for training at an accredited trade or technical school, certification exams, tools, and other necessary supplies for study and work in the trade. Students may apply at any time and will be notified of the status within 45 days of the application. Scholarships will be paid directly to a school or vendor, and may not be used for reimbursement of tuition payments or purchases of exams, tools, or supplies. Each scholarship will remain open until funds are depleted.

The George Wesley Gilbert Memorial Scholarship Fund

Scholarships to help cover tuition, fees, and supplies are available to students enrolled in trade or technical study in any area.

APPLY FOR GILBERT SCHOLARSHIP

The John Franklin Harrison Memorial Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are available to students enrolled in trade or technical study, with preference to those with learning disabilities or Linganore High School graduates.

APPLY FOR HARRISON SCHOLARSHIP

The U. Merhl and Margaret T. Hooper Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are available to students enrolled trade or technical studies for secretarial skills, apprenticeship training programs, building and craft trades, beauty and barber schools, mechanics, auto repair, and other areas that are not traditional four-year degree programs.

APPLY FOR HOOPER SCHOLARSHIP

The Thomas J. and Kathleen A. Madden Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are available to students entering the plumbing field. Preference will be given to dependents of current employees of All Around Plumbing, Inc. Frederick County residency is not required for this application.

Apply for MADDEN Scholarship

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