Scholarships
Frederick County residents enrolled in post-secondary study, vocational, or technical training can apply for scholarships supporting their area of study.
Our 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.
How to Apply for Scholarships
Available Scholarships
Select a scholarship type below to learn more.
Academic Scholarships
Application open March 1 - March 31
The Community Foundation of Frederick County administers scholarships primarily for the benefit of Frederick County, Maryland residents who are pursuing post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, or certifications.
Approximately 60% of our available scholarships consider an applicant’s and/or their family’s financial need. To be eligible for financial need-based scholarships through the Community Foundation, you must be eligible to complete the FAFSA or for tuition reduction under the Maryland Dream Act as an undocumented student. Additionally, applicants must complete an essay in the scholarship application regarding their need for financial assistance.
Applicants must also upload a PDF of their transcript into the application. High school students, please attach your SENIOR year, first semester transcript (PDF) which must list your cumulative GPA. All other applicants, please attach your MOST recent transcript (PDF) which must list your cumulative GPA. The name of the school must be clearly legible on the form. Both “unofficial” and “official” transcripts are acceptable.
The online Scholarship Application for the 2023-2024 academic year must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2023. After an application is submitted, it is screened to see if it fits the requirements for more than 250 different scholarships. If the application qualifies for any of these scholarships, the application will automatically be placed into consideration for those scholarships.
Who Can Apply?
Applications may be submitted by students who are about to complete their senior year of high school; by students already enrolled in a trade, technical, vocational school, college or university, or certificate program; and by nontraditional students over the age of 21 who have waited a number of years before starting their post-secondary education. Scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and certification study. Scholarships may be used for part-time or full- time study, unless full-time study is noted in the description.
When is Scholarship Application Open?
The General Scholarship application is open annually from March 1 through March 31.
How Do I Apply?
Every scholarship applicant must first create an online account, and then submit an online application. If you previously applied for our scholarships, you already have an account. If you have an existing account, it is IMPERATIVE that you NOT create a new account. Use the username and/or password retrieval system if you have forgotten your username or password.
What Can Scholarship Award be Used For?
Scholarship awards can be used for tuition, room and board, books, and other fees associated with the upcoming school year.
The Harold Glen and Audrey G. Benson Trumpower Foundation Scholarship Fund
Application open March 1 - March 31
The Community Foundation of Frederick County administers scholarships for the benefit of Carroll County, Maryland, residents who are pursuing post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, or certifications.
Applicants must submit financial need information – either a FAFSA Student Aid Report or a MD Resident Income Tax Return Form 502 and complete a financial need essay.
Applicants must also upload a PDF of their transcript into the application. High school students, please attach your SENIOR year, first semester transcript (PDF) which must list your cumulative GPA. All other applicants, please attach your MOST recent transcript (PDF) which must list your cumulative GPA. The name of the school must be clearly legible on the form. Both “unofficial” and “official” transcripts are acceptable.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be a resident of Carroll County, Maryland. Applications may be submitted by students who are about to complete their senior year of high school; by students already enrolled in a trade, technical, vocational school, college or university, or certificate program; and by nontraditional students over the age of 21 who have waited a number of years before starting their post-secondary education. Scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and certification study. Scholarships may be used for part-time or full- time study, unless full-time study is noted in the description.
When is Scholarship Application Open?
The Trumpower Foundation Scholarship application is open annually from March 1 through March 31.
How Do I Apply?
Every scholarship applicant must first create an online account, and then submit an online application. If you previously applied for our scholarships, you already have an account. If you have an existing account, it is IMPERATIVE that you NOT create a new account. Use the username and/or password retrieval system if you have forgotten your username or password.
What Can Scholarship Award be Used For?
Scholarship awards can be used for tuition, room and board, books, and other fees associated with the upcoming school year.
The Luke Clemens Bartlett Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund
Application open March 15 - April 15
Frederick County students in grades kindergarten through 12 may apply for financial aid scholarships to attend spring and summer sports activities and programs and athletic camps. These scholarships are funded by The Luke Clemens Bartlett Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund. Scholarships support participation fees only, and payment will be made directly to the youth athletic organization and/or as a reimbursement to the parent/guardian with proof of payment. Applicants must be a Frederick County resident. The online application opens on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. All applications must be submitted through the online scholarship system by 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2023.
Career Education Scholarships
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.
Who Can Apply?
Applications may be submitted by students who are about to complete their senior year of high school; by students already enrolled in a trade, technical, vocational school, college or university, or certificate program; and by nontraditional students over the age of 21 who have waited a number of years before starting their post-secondary education. Scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and certification study. Scholarships may be used for part-time or full- time study, unless full-time study is noted in the description.
When is Scholarship Application Open?
Students may apply at any time while funds are available and will be notified of the status within 45 days of the application.
How Do I Apply?
Every scholarship applicant must first create an online account, and then submit an online application. If you previously applied for our scholarships, you already have an account. If you have an existing account, it is IMPERATIVE that you NOT create a new account. Use the username and/or password retrieval system if you have forgotten your username or password.
What Can Scholarship Award be Used For?
Scholarship awards can be used for tuition/training, certification exams, tools and other necessary supplies associated with the upcoming school year. Scholarships are paid directly to a school or vendor.
Music Scholarships
Frederick County students ages 5 through 18 who are currently pursuing instrumental or vocal music instruction may apply for a music scholarship supporting private or group instruction. Students must be enrolled in music instruction at the time of application. The online application is typically open during the month of May. Please check back in the spring for details.
Important Dates for the General Scholarship Application and the Trumpower Scholarship Application
| Type of Scholarship | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| General and Trumpower Applications open | March 1, 2023 | 12:01 a.m. |
| Final general and Trumpower applications due date | March 31, 2023 | 11:59 p.m. EST |
| General scholarship recipients and Trumpower scholarship recipients notified | early June 2023 | n/a |
Scholarship FAQs
To get started, select a question from the list below.
How do I apply for a scholarship with the Community Foundation?
Every scholarship applicant must first create an online account, and then submit an online application. If you previously applied for our scholarships, you already have an account. If you have an existing account, it is IMPERATIVE that you NOT create a new account. Use the username and/or password retrieval system if you have forgotten your username or password.
Click here to create an account or to log in to the system.
When is the Community Foundation’s online general scholarship application available?
The Community Foundation’s online general scholarship application will be available March 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. EST.
What is the deadline for submitting 2023-2024 scholarship applications?
The 2023-2024 scholarship application must be submitted by March 31, 2023, before 11:59 p.m. EST. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline. No exceptions! We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible and that you not wait until the last day.
Am I required to complete a new scholarship application every year?
YES. A new scholarship application must be completed each year. This includes renewable scholarships. We must have updated information in our system to renew scholarships from the previous academic year.