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McDaniel Scholarships

When you apply for admission to McDaniel College, your application, transcript, and any supporting materials are also used to consider you for a range of institutional scholarships — meaning you don’t fill out a separate scholarship form. Instead, one application opens the door to multiple scholarship opportunities. These awards are based not only on academic achievement but on leadership, involvement, character and writing as well. Together, these offerings make McDaniel a strong, supportive, and accessible investment — and give you award options that align with your strengths, background, and ambitions.

students sit at desks in an auditorium style classroom with a professor standing in the front

A Four Year Investment Merit Scholarships

McDaniel Merit Scholarships range from $7,500 to $33,000 annually. Over 70% of our admitted undergraduate students receive merit scholarships that make McDaniel an affordable option.

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.

McDaniel Merit Scholarships are awarded for eight semesters (four years) or completion of your primary Bachelor's Degree, whichever comes first. Because these are scholarships that you earned based on your overall qualifications, they are not subject to change year-to-year. However, it is important that students and families understand the policies that apply to merit scholarships.

  • Scholarships are awarded for four years (8 semesters) or the completion of the Bachelor's degree, whichever comes first. Students should work closely with academic advisors to ensure they will complete their academic program in 8 semesters.
  • Students must be enrolled full-time (12 credits) to receive their merit scholarship. If a student drops to part-time enrollment, their scholarship will be removed from their financial aid package.
a student walks backwards, talking to a group of people while giving a tour of campus

Educators, Military Personnel, First Responders, Health Professionals, and Government Employees Legacy Scholarships

McDaniel proudly recognizes the contributions of educators, military personnel, first responders, health professionals, and government employees. By recognizing these categories of service, we are dedicated to providing alternative ways to make McDaniel accessible for a wide variety of families.

Carroll County Scholars group

A Program Made for Young Scholars Carroll County Scholars Program

Carroll County Scholars is a program for high school students who reside in Carroll County, Maryland, that helps them and their families begin preparing for college at no cost, while making them eligible for a guaranteed scholarship to McDaniel College (participating scholars are not required to commit to or enroll at McDaniel).

  • Eligible seniors who complete the program are guaranteed a college scholarship of $100,000 ($25,000 per year) to McDaniel.
  • Scholars can compete for a full-tuition college scholarship to McDaniel.
Alumni Legacy Parents with the current students

Honoring our McDaniel/Western Maryland College graduates Green Terror Impact Scholarship

To honor and recognize the close family ties that are part of the McDaniel experience, the Green Terror Impact Scholarship awards scholarships to the children and grandchildren of McDaniel College (or Western Maryland College) graduates.

You may be eligible if: 

  • Your parent, step-parent, or grandparent is a graduate of McDaniel College (or Western Maryland College) having earned their bachelor's and/or master's degree.
Dorsey Scholars

Additional Scholarships for Outstanding Applicants The Dorsey Scholars Celebrating Amazing Students

The Dorsey Scholars Program is the most prestigious scholarship competition at McDaniel College. These scholarships are valued at full tuition, room and board for four years and also include other institutional benefits.