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.
The Luke Clemens Bartlett Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund
Frederick County students in grades kindergarten through 12 may apply for financial aid scholarships to attend spring sports activities, 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 application is open through Dec. 15.
Career Education Scholarships
Application open until funds are depleted
Frederick County residents studying to enter career education 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. The 2023-2024 application is open until funds are depleted.
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?
Application opens on September 1, 2023. 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. These are the funds that are awarding, however, only one application needs to be submitted.
The Donald and Lydia Falconer Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to students who are pursuing an education at a career education school. Scholarships shall be based upon financial need, aptitude for their chosen field, and good character. Scholarships shall be renewable for the students’ tenure at the career education school pending that the students attain a minimum grade point average, established by the foundation.
The George Wesley Gilbert Memorial Scholarship Fund
Scholarships to help cover tuition, fees, and supplies are available to students enrolled in career education study in any area.
The John Franklin Harrison Memorial Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to students enrolled in career education study, with preference to those with learning disabilities or Linganore High School graduates.
The U. Merhl and Margaret T. Hooper Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to students enrolled in career education 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.
The Roy and Gloria Clabaugh Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to graduates of Catoctin High School enrolled in career education school in Maryland. Scholarships may include traditional financial aid or funding such as work attire and tool purchases, certification exam fees, and underwriting apprenticeships.
The Basford Family Fund
Scholarships are available to Frederick County residents enrolled in a career education school, with preference given to students attending Frederick Community College
The Thomas J. and Kathleen A. Madden Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to students entering the plumbing field, with preference given to dependents of current employees of All Around Plumbing, Inc. (Frederick County residency is not required). Scholarships may be used to pay for training at an accredited career education, purchasing tools, certification exams, and/or traveling expenses for continuing education.
The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Guss Family Scholarship Fund for the Arts
Frederick County students ages Kindergarten through 11th grade who are currently pursuing instrumental or vocal music instruction may apply for a music scholarship supporting private or group instruction. These scholarships are funded by The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Guss Family Scholarship Fund for the Arts. Students must be enrolled in music instruction at the time of application. The online application has closed.
Academic Scholarships
Application opens February 15, 2024
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 2024-2025 academic year must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on March 15, 2024. 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 Feb. 15 through March 15, 2024.
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 opens February 15, 2024
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 Feb. 15 through March 15.
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.
Important Scholarship Program Dates
| Type of Scholarship | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Career Education Applications open | September 1, 2023 | 12:00 a.m. |
| General and Trumpower Applications open | February 15, 2024 | 12:00 a.m. |
| Final general and Trumpower applications due date | March 15, 2024 | 11:59 p.m. |
| General scholarship recipients and Trumpower scholarship recipients notified | early June 2024 | 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 February 15, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. EST.
What is the deadline for submitting 2024-2025 scholarship applications?
The 2024-2025 scholarship application must be submitted by March 15, 2024, 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.