CollegeBound Foundation Competitive Scholarships

2026-2027 Competitive Scholarship Application - Now Open!

College Completion Program Application - Now Open!

Each year, more than 500 students receive scholarships and grants through the CollegeBound Foundation. A wide network of supporters—including foundations, individuals, and corporations—partner with CollegeBound to provide these opportunities. Some scholarships funded by individual donors or organizations have specific eligibility criteria.

CollegeBound also offers the need-based Last Dollar Grant, which provides up to $5,000 per year for up to five years of college to graduates of Baltimore City public high schools.

Both renewable and non-renewable awards are available, totaling over $4 million in scholarships each year. Individual awards range from $500 to $10,000 per academic year.

The College Completion Programs students are offered a Last Dollar Grant or Book Award.  These are need-based awards for Baltimore City public high school graduates whose student aid index and financial aid package total less than the cost to attend college. Students awarded a CollegeBound Foundation Last Dollar Grant or Book Award are eligible for a renewable grant between $500 and $5,000 annually. These Grants are gift money that does not have to be repaid.  Click HERE to Apply.  All Last Dollar Grants are awarded on a first-come, first served basis with priority to students attending in-state colleges.

College Completion Program Eligibility:

• Must be a 2026 graduate of a Baltimore City public high school.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be eligible to receive a Pell Grant or MSFAA.
• If the unmet need is more than $5,000 from billed expenses, the student must provide documentation detailing how the gap will be financed.
• Be accepted to and attend full-time to a four-year college/university or Community College of Baltimore County.

To have been considered for the College Completion Program, you must submit the following supporting documents by June 1st, 2026:

• FAFSA submission summary (for a copy, go to https://studentaid.gov/ or call 1-800-4-FED-AID / 1-800-433-3243) or a copy of MSFAA eligibility.
• Financial Aid Award Offer (FAAO) from the college/university you will attend.
• Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Notification Letter if attending Maryland institution (Login to MDCAPS or call 410-260-4500 for a copy).
• Unofficial high school transcript.

Competitive Scholarships:

CollegeBound’s scholarship portfolio is made possible through the generous support of individuals, organizations, foundations, and local businesses. With over 90 named scholarships available, range from $500 to full tuition, helping students unlock life-changing educational opportunities.

Some competitive scholarships also offer additional support through CollegeBound’s College Completion Program, which will be clearly noted in each listing. To be considered, all required supporting documents must be submitted by March 1, 2026.

You will need to apply for competitive scholarships:

• Unofficial High School Transcript
• Resume
• One Letter of Recommendation
• FAFSA or MSFAA Submission Summary Page
• Financial Aid Award Offer (FAAO) from the college/university you will attend*
• Essay
• SAT/ACT Scores
• NOT REQUIRED FOR ALL SCHOLARSHIPS

Our portfolio includes a wide variety of scholarship types. Explore the categories below by clicking the hyperlink to learn more and find the best fit for your college journey.

• Baltimore Community Foundation Scholarships
• Career and College Major Scholarships
• College & University Scholarships
• Community Service Scholarships
• Current College Student Scholarships
• High School Specific Scholarships
• Merit Scholarships
• Unique Population Scholarships