Apply now to be a Kagan Senatorial Scholar for Spring 2026 and beyond!
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan (Gaithersburg & Rockville) offers scholarships for talented undergraduate and graduate students for both Fall and Spring semesters. To be considered for Spring 2026, you must submit the required materials no later than Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM (EST).
In order to be considered for a Senatorial Scholarship, you must have completed the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the U.S. Department of Education. If you are eligible for in-state tuition, but ineligible to receive federal financial aid, you must submit the Maryland Higher Education Commission One-App (MHEC One-APP) instead. To complete the MHEC One App online, click here to access the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS). General information on Senatorial Scholarships is available here.
Sen. Kagan’s Senatorial Scholarships are awarded based on both need and merit. They can be used at any Maryland institution of higher education; there is a very narrow loophole for “unique majors” for students studying out-of-state. The Scholarship Selection Committee, comprised of volunteers who live and/or work in Rockville and Gaithersburg, gives preference to candidates who:
- Describe how a post-secondary education will help them achieve their goals in well-written essays;
- Volunteer service to the community in a meaningful capacity;
- Attend (or plan to attend) Montgomery College or the Universities at Shady Grove; and,
- Have a verifiable history of voting (any party, any candidate), if eligible.
NOTE: If this form is incomplete, inaccurate, late, not signed, or does not include the required materials, it will not be considered. If you have not completed and signed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your application will be disqualified by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The Scholarship Committee will not review disqualified applications.
Important Note on Artificial Intelligence (AI): Your application must be your own original work. Use of AI tools like ChatGPT or other text generators is not permitted for drafting or writing your essays. However, limited use of tools like Google Translate is acceptable for non-native English speakers who need language support– as long as the ideas and writing remain your own. The Selection Committee reviews submissions carefully and reserves the right to disqualify applications that appear to be AI-generated.
If you have any questions about your application, please contact my office at Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us with the subject line “SCHOLARSHIPS.”
Click here to apply