WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

To be eligible, students must:

• Be a Maryland City resident 
• Be a high school graduate or have completed their GED in 2023. Participants must be 21 years of age or younger.
• Enroll at BCCC for the term immediately following high school graduation.
• Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they are eligible to apply for state and federal financial aid. Visit the Financial Aid Office web page for more information. Students who do not qualify for FAFSA based on household income or immigration status can contact the Office of Admissions at bcccadmissions@bccc.edu.
• Participate in the Summer Bridge Program. Mayor’s Scholars are automatically enrolled in the Summer Bridge Program and must participate to enroll in Fall 2023 classes.
  
  

The program covers BCCC tuition and mandatory college fees. 

Coppin State University provides scholarships covering full tuition for Mayor’s Scholars who graduate with an associate degree from BCCC. Depending on grades and other criteria, students may be eligible for scholarships and grants at Maryland colleges and across the country.

WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS?

The Mayor’s Scholars Program is a last-dollar scholarship that funds the difference between a student’s state and federal financial aid award and the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at BCCC. Because it is “last-dollar scholarship,” all students who are eligible must submit a FAFSA. 

If a student submits a FAFSA and is determined not eligible for state or federal financial aid due to household income, the student will still receive the Mayor’s Scholars Program scholarship provided all other criteria are met. 

Students and their parents can get help completing a FAFSA from their high school guidance counselors, CollegeBound counselors and BCCC’s Financial Aid Office. The FAFSA process can be long, and many students are required to confirm or provide additional information after initial submission. Students should complete FAFSA beginning October 1. For more information about FAFSA, visit the Financial Aid Office web page.

WHAT PROGRAMS CAN A STUDENT STUDY?

Mayor’s Scholars can enroll in any BCCC associate degree, certificate or eligible job training program. Nursing and health professions programs require a separate admissions process. If you are interested in health profession programs that may have additional admission requirements, we recommend that you visit the Degrees, Certificates and Career Pathways web page. 

Yes, students interested in taking a job training program at BCCC can be part of the Mayor’s Scholars Program. While they do not need to complete a FAFSA, they should still submit an application to BCCC by May 15. Eligible certified job training programs will help prepare students for high-demand careers. Learn more about these programs at the Degrees, Certificates and Career Pathways web page.

A minimum GPA is not required to enter the Mayor’s Scholars Program. Students, however, must be enrolled full-time in 12 credits or more to obtain an associate degree, remain in good academic standing, and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA while attending BCCC.

The Mayor’s Scholars Program will cover tuition and mandatory fees for up to three years for an associate degree or one and a half times the expected completion time of any BCCC certificate or job training program.

Yes, any student who lives in Maryland and graduates from high school or completes their GED (21 years or younger) in 2024 is eligible to enroll in the Mayor’s Scholars Program for the current academic year. 

Yes, although students with certain immigration statuses such as Special Juvenile, T, and U visa holders, asylum seekers and undocumented students may not be eligible for FAFSA, they may be eligible for a stipend in partnership with CASA. Regardless of FAFSA eligibility or citizenship status, students will still receive the Mayor's Scholars Program scholarship if all other criteria are met.

No, students are able to register for classes any time (rolling admissions) once you have graduated from high school within the academic calendar year.

A six-week program of orientation and support is designed to ease the transition from high school to college or a career. Students tour campus facilities, meet key faculty, advisors and student leaders, take academic classes or begin their job training program, meet city leaders, participate in enrichment activities, and have fun while building valuable relationships.

Yes, students who are eligible to work in the U.S. must apply to participate in this program that is in partnership with YouthWorks. Students must complete a YouthWorks application by March 22. Students who are not eligible to work in the U.S. can be paid by CASA and must be eligible. Visit the CASA website for eligibility requirements.

Yes. Students will spend approximately 25 hours per week during the Summer Bridge Program at BCCC, allowing students to devote time outside of class and homework to other employment opportunities. 

Email msp@bccc.edu to learn more about free tuition through the Mayor’s Scholar Program.