Institutional Aid
Institutional aid (scholarships, grants, and awards) helps bridge the gap between a student's (family) resources and the direct charges assessed by Hood College. Institutional funds are available due to the generosity of alumni, foundations, individuals, and other organizations. These are limited resources, and Hood College reserves the right to make adjustments at any time.
Institutional aid is only awarded to students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. Students must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester), unless specified by the donor that funds may be awarded to a part-time student(s). Institutional aid may not be used for summer or winter courses. The maximum timeframe to receive institutional aid is eight semesters for first-year students and determined on a case-by-case basis for transfer students. To receive financial assistance beyond the maximum timeframe, an appeal must be approved by the Office of Financial Aid.
Merit Scholarships
Hood College has developed an extensive merit scholarship program that recognizes the achievement, talent, and potential of students. Awards are based upon the student's achievement in the classroom, ability to think analytically, talent and creativity within areas of interest, and the potential to be successful at Hood College.
All students applying for admission will be considered for merit scholarships. No special application is required. Students will be informed of their eligibility upon acceptance to Hood College.
From time to time, an individual student-applicant may qualify for consideration in more than one scholarship category. In such a case, the highest scholarship amount will take precedence in Hood's awarding process. All are limited up to eight semesters. Students are notified of yearly renewal criteria, including minimum grade point average, upon receipt of their financial award notification.
The new scholarship structure for First-Year students entering in the fall 2023 semester are as follows:
| Trustee Scholarship |
$30,000 per year |
| Presidential Scholarship |
$28,000 per year |
| Dean Scholarship |
$24,000 per year |
| Leadership Award |
$20,000 per year |
| Achievement Award |
$15,000 per year |
The new scholarship structure for Transfer students entering in the fall 2023 semester are as follows:
| Presidential Scholarship |
$28,000 per year |
| Dean Scholarship |
$24,000 per year |
| Leadership Award |
$20,000 per year |
Chair of the Board Scholarship
This highly prestigious scholarship provides four new full-tuition awards to academically superior students in each entering class (full-time, first-year students). To be considered for this scholarship, candidates will be invited to attend Scholars' Day, which will include a scholarship interview.
Stackable Awards
FAFSA Incentive Grant - awarded to students who enroll full-time annually for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Family Discount - awarded when two or more members of the same family are enrolled. The award amount is $2,000 and awarded to the second member of the family (must be an undergraduate student). Family is defined as parent, dependent child, and/or dependent child's sibling. Both members of the family must be enrolled full-time.
Honors - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year students and new transfer students who have been admitted to the Honors Program. Amount is $2,000.
Legacy- awarded to full-time, first-year and new transfer students whose parent, sibling or grandparent received a Hood bachelor's or master's degree. Amount is $1,000.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members and have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree. Must be a Phi Theta Kappa member at the time of admission. Amount is $2,000.
Teacher Academy of Maryland Scholarship - awarded to incoming full-time, first-year students majoring in education who have successfully fulfilled required criteria for TAM program completion. In addition to the monetary scholarship, three (3) credits will be awarded to fulfill EDUC 204, a prerequisite education course. Amount is $3,000.
Hood Grants
Awarded to full-time undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. Funding is limited. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. Hood Grants may be replaced with named funds. See
Scholarships and Awards for a list of endowed and annual undergraduate scholarships.