University of Maryland Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most University of Maryland (College Park) scholarships are geared toward degree-seeking students (often on-campus).

UMD scholarships span a wide range of subjects, STEM fields (like computer science, data science, math, and the sciences), engineering, business, and humanities, plus many specialized areas through individual colleges and departments.

From the recipients’ side, UMD funding pathways also show up strongly in policy and social-impact fields: Maha Shoaib studied International Education Policy and emphasized aligning faculty/research fit with your goals, while Maria Atanasova pursued Public Policy and highlighted a “commitment to advocacy and tangible impact.”

It depends on the scholarship type. Many UMD merit and need-based funding streams are limited to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, while some campus and external scholarships can support international students.

The UMD scholarship stories show that international nationalities can absolutely be represented through major external funding: Maha Shoaib (Pakistan) and Maria Atanasova (Bulgaria) both funded UMD graduate study through Fulbright; Maria notes her scholarship “covers tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.”

For many international applicants, yes, English proficiency testing is commonly required (with possible waivers depending on your background and prior education). UMD may accept several test options depending on level/program.

The recipients’ stories reflect this reality: Maha Shoaib shares, “USEFP sponsored my TOEFL exam,” and Maria Atanasova explains, “For the TOEFL, I prepared using online resources and practice exams.”

There isn’t one single universal “minimum grade” that guarantees admission, because standards vary by level (undergraduate vs. graduate) and by program (some majors are more selective). In general, the most competitive applicants show strong grades in rigorous coursework.

At the graduate level, UMD publishes minimum academic standards (and some programs may set higher expectations). In practice, successful scholarship recipients often present very strong academics: Maha Shoaib states she graduated with a “CGPA of 3.90,” and Maria Atanasova notes she graduated “with distinction” in prior graduate study.

Most UMD scholarships are based on factors like academic merit, program enrollment, credit load, financial need, and/or specific eligibility rules, not age. Some external scholarships can have age or career-stage guidelines, so it’s always worth checking each scholarship’s official criteria.

In the recipient stories, the emphasis is much more on purpose and fit than age: Maria’s advice is, “Be authentic and clear about your goals,” and Maha’s is simply, “just apply.”

A strong academic background usually means solid grades in relevant coursework, plus evidence you can succeed in your intended major (and, for many scholarships, a record of leadership or impact). For graduate scholarships/funding, strong recommendations, clear research or career goals, and program fit can matter a lot.

Maha Shoaib is a good example of the “whole application” approach: she highlights authentic essays (“my personal statement and study objectives genuinely reflected who I am”) and adds that she chose “two academic referees and one professional referee.”

Maria Atanasova points to a compelling mission-driven profile; she credits her mix of healthcare training, activism, and “academic excellence,” and frames scholarships as looking for your potential to contribute “to your community and the world.”

Minimum eligibility varies by scholarship. Some UMD-based awards for enrolled students explicitly require a minimum GPA (for example, some list “GPA 3.0” and minimum completed credits), so always read the specific scholarship rules carefully.

Undergraduate (typical): completed application; personal essay; activities list or resume; official high school transcripts; recommendations; and (if applicable) English proficiency scores for applicants who must prove proficiency. SAT/ACT may be optional depending on the current policy cycle.

Graduate (typical): graduate application; transcripts (and translations if needed); letters of recommendation; statement of purpose/personal statement; CV/resume; and standardized tests if required by the program (some programs may require GRE/GMAT, while others may not). International applicants may also need English proficiency scores depending on their prior education.

Undergraduate: yes, UMD lists a nonrefundable undergraduate application fee, and fee waivers may be available for eligible applicants.

Graduate: yes, UMD assesses a nonrefundable graduate application fee per program, and the Graduate School notes that application fee waivers may be possible for eligible applicants (with specific steps to request one).