Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible, students must:

• Be a Maryland resident 
• Be a high school graduate or have completed their GED in the current year. 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) or MHEC One App (formerly MSFAA).  Visit the Financial Aid Office web page for more information. 
• 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.*

* Students who opt to attend in the Fall or Spring semester do not need to complete the Summer Bridge Program.

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 (AA or AS) degree from BCCC. Depending on grades and other criteria, students may be eligible for scholarships and grants at Maryland colleges and across the country.

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 or MHEC One App. 

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 the FAFSA by visiting the FAFSA website at Federal Student Aid or the MHEC One App website:. The FAFSA process may require students to confirm or provide additional information after initial submission. Students should complete FAFSA or MHEC One App beginning October 1. For more information about FAFSA, visit the Financial Aid Office web page. For more information about the MHEC One App, visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission website.

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. Students applying for job training programs must complete a FAFSA or MHEC One App (formerly MSFAA) to document eligibility for the MSP and should submit an application to BCCC by July 1. 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 successfully complete all degree required courses within three years, 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 the current year 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 to complete the MHEC One App. Undocumented students may also be eligible for the Maryland Dream Act and can contact the Office of Admissions at bcccadmissions@bccc.edu. Regardless of FAFSA or MHEC One App eligibility or citizenship status, students will still receive the Mayor's Scholars Program scholarship, if all other criteria are met.

Yes, students are able to register for classes at any time (rolling admissions) once they have graduated from high school within the current academic calendar year.

A six-week program consisting 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 7, 2026. 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.