Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Maryland Higher Education Commission

Overview
The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship helps Maryland students pay for college when the student — or a close family member or spouse — has an eligible military or public‑safety connection. It covers undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certain certificate programs at eligible institutions.

Who can apply (basic enrollment requirements)
You may be eligible if you meet both an enrollment requirement and at least one of the listed service/family conditions below.

Enrollment requirements (you must meet at least one)
- Enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional program (full‑ or part‑time) at an eligible institution.
- Enrolled in a two‑year terminal certificate program whose courses transfer into an accredited bachelor’s program at an eligible institution.
- Enrolled in a private career school.
- At least 16 years old.

Service/family eligibility (you must meet at least one)
- Son, daughter, or stepchild of a U.S. Armed Forces member who died from military service or who has a service‑connected 100% permanent disability.
- Surviving spouse (not remarried) of a U.S. Armed Forces member who has a service‑connected 100% permanent disability.
- A veteran (as defined by Maryland law) with a service‑connected disability of 25% or greater who has exhausted or is no longer eligible for federal veterans’ educational benefits.
- Son, daughter, stepchild, or surviving spouse of a victim of the 9/11 attacks who died in New York, at the Pentagon, or aboard United Airlines Flight 93.
- A POW/MIA of the Vietnam Conflict, or their son, daughter, or stepchild, who was a Maryland resident when declared POW/MIA.
- Son, daughter, stepchild, or surviving spouse (not remarried) of a State or local public safety employee (career or volunteer firefighter, ambulance or rescue member, law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or Maryland National Guard member) who died in the line of duty or is 100% disabled in the line of duty.
- State or local public safety employee or volunteer who is 100% disabled in the line of duty.
- Son, daughter, stepchild, or surviving spouse (not remarried) of a school employee who died or became 100% disabled in the line of duty as the result of an act of violence.

Residency requirement (and common exceptions)
- Applicants must be Maryland residents at the time of application, except for these exceptions related to public safety employees and their families:
- A son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter of any State or local public safety employee killed in the line of duty.
- The surviving spouse of any State or local public safety employee killed in the line of duty.
- A disabled public safety employee.
- A son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter of a public safety employee who became 100% disabled in the line of duty.
- The surviving spouse of a public safety employee who became 100% disabled in the line of duty.

How to apply and where to send documents
- Contact the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend for application instructions (new and renewal applicants).
- Do not submit applications or supplemental documents to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). All required documentation must be submitted directly to the institution.

Award amount and limits
- Awards are subject to available funds.
- Maximum award for 2025–2026: $13,689.
- Your award cannot exceed the highest annual tuition and mandatory fees charged to a full‑time in‑state undergraduate at a four‑year public University System of Maryland institution (excluding University of Maryland Global Campus and University of Maryland, Baltimore).
- Dependents or spouses of 9/11 victims: the total of this award plus any other scholarships awarded because of the student’s status as a child or spouse of a 9/11 victim may not exceed the amount above.

Renewal and duration rules
- Initial awards are automatically renewed by your institution’s financial aid office for the next academic year; contact that office with renewal questions.
- Awards may be held for up to five years of full‑time study (12+ credits per semester) or eight years of part‑time study (6–11 credits per semester), or a combination of both.
- Audited courses do not count toward the credit requirements for full‑ or part‑time status.

Quick reminders (teacher’s checklist)
- Make sure you meet both an enrollment requirement and one of the service/family conditions.
- Reach out to your school’s financial aid office — they handle applications and documentation.
- Don’t send paperwork to MHEC.
- Watch the credit rules and the maximum award amount.

If you’d like, I can help you turn this into a printable checklist or a short email you can send to your financial aid office.