The Columbia Foundation administers a number of scholarship programs established by individual donors and organizations to assist Howard County students in pursuing higher education. Scholarships available are listed below – please review all eligibility requirements carefully. It is the student’s responsibility to fill out the application, include required attachments and return it to the appropriate entity by the specified due date.
Create a Scholarship
Interested in assisting students as they pursue their dreams? For information about creating a scholarship fund, please contact a member of our staff.
Make a Contribution to a Scholarship
Make a contribution to a scholarship fund administered by The Columbia Foundation by visiting our Online Giving page.
Scholarships Available
Ascend One Scholarship
The Ascend One scholarship will provide a two-year scholarship of $2,000 (annually) to a two-year or four-year college or university for a Howard County high school student who is pursuing a degree in the field of computer science, finance or a related field. In addition to the scholarship, Ascend One will offer a summer student internship.
Only available January-March for high school seniors who attend a Howard County Public School.
Karen and Howard Carolan Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is offered in loving memory of Howard T. Carolan Jr. and Karen R. Carolan, longtime residents of Howard County. Applicants must have participated in the Howard County Youth Program and must plan to attend a two- or four- year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for high school seniors who have participated in the Howard County Youth Program.
Mike Chang Sunshine Scholarship
This $500 scholarship is offered in memory of Mike Chang, a 1995 graduate of Hammond High School. Candidates must plan to attend a two- or four- year college/university or trade school and must respond with care and concern towards the needs of others and have the ability to bring humor to the serious business of life.
Only available January-March for Hammond High School seniors.
Michael Joseph Deets Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is offered in memory/honor of Michael Joseph Deets for a Wilde Lake High School Senior. Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year college/university. First preference will be given to students planning to attend The College of William and Mary.
Only available January-March for Wilde Lake High School seniors.
Robert J. Gaw Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is offered in memory of Robert J. Gaw, co-founderof The Ryland Group, Inc. It provides $1,000 towards the cost of tuition to a two-year or four-year college/university or trade school for a Howard County public high school student.
Only available January-March for high school seniors who attend a Howard County Public School.
Freeman K. Hill Teen Scholarship
This $1,500 scholarship is for a Howard County student who demonstrates his or her religious faith through good citizenship, service to others and the community, and academic achievement – values that were exemplified in the life of Freeman K. Hill an engineer at the Applied Physics Lab. Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four- year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for high school seniors who attend a Howard County Public School.
Mark Hollingsworth Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is offered in memory of Mark Hollingsworth, a devoted family man and hard-working entrepreneur whose compassionate spirit and positive attitude left a strong impression on those who knew and loved him. Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four- year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for Marriotts Ridge High School seniors.
Doug Parker Scholarship
This $2,500 scholarship was established to honor and pay tribute to “Big Doug” Parker, a big man with a big heart. Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for high school seniors who attend a Howard County Public School.
The Amanda Post “AmandaWins” River Hill High School Student-Athlete Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship is offered in loving memory of Amanda Josephine Post, who passed away in 2009 during her freshman year at River Hill High School. Candidates must plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for River Hill High School students who are currently in their senior year and have played a minimum of one year on any River Hill junior varsity or varsity sports team.
- The Amanda Post “AmandaWins” River Hill High School Student-Athlete Scholarship Guidelines
- The Amanda Post “AmandaWins” River Hill High School Student-Athlete Scholarship Application
The Amanda Post “AmandaWins” Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County (SAC/HC) Student-Athlete Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship is offered in loving memory of Amanda Josephine Post, who passed away in 2009 during her freshman year at River Hill High School and in her ninth year as a Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County player. Candidates must plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for Howard County residents who are currently in their senior year at either a Howard County public high school or Maryland private high school, and have played on a SAC/HC travel or recreational team during one or more of their high school years.
- The Amanda Post “AmandaWins” Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County (SAC/HC) Student-Athlete Scholarship Guidelines
- The Amanda Post “AmandaWins” Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County (SAC/HC) Student-Athlete Scholarship Application
C. Merritt Pumphrey Memorial Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is offered in memory of C. Merritt Pumphrey who died, at the age of 83, on December 7, 2007. Candidates must plan to attend a four-year college or university to pursue an education in agriculture, animal husbandry, and/or a field related to farming.
Only available January-March for Atholton, Chapelgate, Glenelg, Howard, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron and River Hill High School seniors.
- C. Merritt Pumphrey Memorial Scholarship Guidelines
- C. Merritt Pumphrey Memorial Scholarship Application
Stephanie Russel Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is offered in memory of loving wife and mother Stephanie Russel. Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four- year college/university or trade school.
Only available January-March for high school seniors who attend a Howard County Public School.
Kit Sfekas Memorial Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is offered to a Mt. Hebron female athlete in memory of Judge Kit Sfekas, who was known to many as "Coach Kit." Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year college/universityor trade school.
Only available January-March for Mt. Hebron High School female athletes who are currently in their senior year.
Tropf Family Scholarships
The Tropf family wishes to promote the study of science by awarding $1,000 scholarships to Howard County public school seniors with intent of studying mathematics, the physical sciences, or engineering at a four-year college or university. These scholarships honor Cheryl Griffiths Tropf, a great believer in learning and academic achievement.
Only available January-March for Atholton, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, and Wilde Lake High School seniors.
The Columbia Foundation does not accept scholarship applications directly from students. Check with your school guidance counselor for due dates and further details.