Financial Aid for Transfer Students

McDaniel College enrolls a diverse student body, with students from all socio-economic backgrounds. For need-based financial-aid consideration, documents should be submitted no later than March 1 for fall semester or January 1 for spring semester. For merit-based scholarships, a separate application is not necessary as all transfer students are reviewed for these scholarships upon admission.

To apply for financial aid to attend McDaniel College, students must:

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to list McDaniel College’s school code of 002109 on your FAFSA. Get more information about FAFSA and how recent changes may impact your application.
Submit signed copies of both the students’ and parents’ most recent federal tax returns, all schedules, and W-2’s to the McDaniel Financial Aid Office.

Offers made without copies of tax returns are estimates only and cannot be finalized until the copies are received. Financial-aid offers for prospective students are mailed once the student is accepted and after the Financial Aid Office has received all the financial-aid materials.

What Kinds of Scholarships are Available?

McDaniel offers merit scholarships to academically talented transfer students. Unlimited awards range from $18,000 to $27,000 per year based on college GPA. Members of Phi Theta Kappa, who provide a copy of their PTK certificate at the point of application, are eligible for an additional $2,000 per year on top of the merit scholarship awarded.

In addition to merit scholarships, we are proud to recognize the contributions of educators and military personnel as well as those with alumni ties to the Hill. By recognizing these two categories of service in addition to family ties to McDaniel helps to provide alternative ways to make McDaniel accessible for a wide variety of families. McDaniel Legacy Scholarship students who reside on campus receive $33,000 per year, while students who wish to commute are awarded $22,000 annually.

You can afford a McDaniel education!

Over 70% of our admitted undergraduate students receive merit scholarships, helping to make McDaniel an affordable option for most students.

Up to $30,000/year to pay for college! Transfer Student Scholarship Opportunities

Admitted students are eligible to receive only one scholarship – either transfer merit or one Legacy. At the point of application submission, students must select which scholarship consideration they have chosen and that is how they will be reviewed.

Merit Scholarships RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

If eligible, you'll receive your scholarship award letter at the same time that you receive your admission decision. The sooner you complete your application, the sooner you'll know your merit award.

Guaranteed Transfer Scholarships

Check out our cumulative GPA ranges and the corresponding amounts to see what you are guaranteed to receive if admitted to McDaniel.

3.5 or higher = $27,000
3.0 to 3.49 = $24,000
2.75 to 2.99 = $20,000
Under 2.75 - $18,000

Educator's Legacy Scholarship SUPPORTING FAMILIES

In recognition of the importance of excellence in teaching: children of PreK, K-12 and community college educators.

You may be eligible if:

You are a current high school senior or undergraduate transfer student who is entering McDaniel College for the first time and have not yet attained a bachelor’s degree; and
Your parent is a K-12 educator, community college educator, or a PreK educator working in center-based daycares operated in commercial care spaces, who has at least four years of current employment in a school setting and is eligible for full-time benefits at their institutions.

Military Legacy Scholarship AMERICAN HEROES

In recognition of the Green Terror Battalion’s 100 years of service to our country: children of veterans and active-duty military personnel and their children.

You may be eligible if:

You are a current high school senior or undergraduate transfer students who is entering McDaniel College for the first time and have not yet attained a bachelor’s degree; and
You or your parent or guardian is a military veteran or active duty military personnel.

Alumni Legacy Scholarship GREEN TERROR PROUD

In honor of our WMC/McDaniel graduates: children and grandchildren of McDaniel alumni.

You may be eligible if:

You are a current high school seniors or undergraduate transfer students who is entering McDaniel College for the first time and have not yet attained a bachelor’s degree; and
Your parent, step-parent, or grandparent graduated from McDaniel College (or Western Maryland College) with a bachelor's or master's degree.

Phi Theta Kappa

Not only are you eligible for our transfer merit scholarships, but an additional $2,000 on top of the highest scholarship you’re qualified to receive. Simply send us a copy of your PTK membership certificate/card or an email from your PTK advisor to verify your membership status.

$1.65

in grants and scholarships went to transfer students entering McDaniel this year.

Student teaching one-on-one in elementary school setting.

The Impact of Scholarships McDaniel Freshmen and Transfer Students Awarded $100K Educator's Legacy Scholarships Legacy Scholarship in Action

"McDaniel has successfully trained teachers and administrators for over 100 years. The college also has a tradition of producing top educators, including the 2011 National Teacher of the Year Michelle Shearer. We are proud of this legacy and want to celebrate our commitment to educators by rewarding the children of elementary and secondary school employees with this scholarship.”

Read "McDaniel Freshmen and Transfer Students Awarded $100K Educator's Legacy Scholarships"