All freshman applicants to the University of Maryland who meet the early action deadline of November 1 and are invited to the Honors College are considered for nomination to the Banneker/Key Scholarship. No additional application materials are required. The Banneker/Key Scholarship is an undergraduate merit scholarship awarded to a group of selected students for up to a maximum of eight consecutive semesters. Recipients of this scholarship must register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester, maintain a minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average (GPA), and successfully complete 30 credits per academic year.
The Banneker/Key Scholarship gets its name from two very prominent figures in American history, Benjamin Banneker and Francis Scott Key, both of whom resided in Maryland. This exceptional scholarship opportunity is offered to only a select group of applicants who have demonstrated significant academic leadership and accomplishment in high school. In selecting Banneker/Key Scholars, the Committee seeks to identify potential academic leaders, who as individuals and as a group, will enrich and benefit from the campus learning environment.