BOOST Scholarship Program

To be eligible, a student must:

• Qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FARMs - PDF);
• Be enrolled or accepted at a participating nonpublic school for the 2026-2027 school year; and
• Be entering grades kindergarten – 12th grade for the 2026-2027 school year. (Pre-K students are not eligible.)

Due to limited funding, we are unable to provide scholarships to every qualified applicant. Priority is given to students who were recipients of a BOOST award in the previous year.

As part of the application, parents will be asked to upload their 2025 Federal 1040 tax returns so that their annual income and household size can be verified. The BOOST program uses the FARMs - PDF income guidelines posted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture every year.

Parents must complete the online BOOST Scholarship application for any children they wish to be considered for a BOOST Scholarship award.

No, the scholarship may only be used at a nonpublic school that has decided to participate in BOOST. A list of nonpublic schools participating in the BOOST Scholarship Program can be found on the left-hand side of this page.

The award amounts are dependent on several factors, including household income, the academic level of the student, and any financial assistance that the school provides to the student. The BOOST Advisory Board will meet in Summer 2025 to determine award amounts.

The check is sent to the school, and you (the parent/guardian) must come to the school to sign the back of the check. The BOOST scholarship award may be reduced if it exceeds the tuition owed to the school.

For example:

• The school’s annual tuition is $10,000 and the school offers the student a discount of $4,000. The parent is only responsible for paying $6,000 in annual tuition to the school.
• $10,000 - $4,000 = $6,000
• If the BOOST award value comes out to be $7,750, it will be reduced to $6,000 because it can’t be higher than the amount owed to the school.
• The school will receive a check for $6,000 to credit the student’s tuition. If the parent already made tuition payments over the summer, then the school will owe the parent a refund.

You can get information in several ways!

• See the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the left-hand side of this webpage.
• MSDE will also be offering virtual customer service support sessions. See details below!
• You can send an email to [email protected].
• You can call Jim Clark at (410) 767-0064.
• You can call Allison Sanborn at (410) 767-3575.
• You can send us a message through your Submittable online application account.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Watch the Session

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Watch the Session

Starting on March 18, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join the Session

This funding opportunity is designed for nonpublic schools registered to operate in the state of Maryland. To be eligible to participate, a nonpublic school must:

• Hold a certificate of approval from or be registered with the State Board of Education;
• Be approved to participate in the Nonpublic Textbook Program;
• Provide at least a 1st grade level program;
• Complete an application to the BOOST Scholarship Program;
• Comply with all reporting requirements by the specified date.

You can get information in several ways!

• See the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the left-hand side of this webpage.
• MSDE will also be offering virtual customer service support sessions. Details coming soon!
• You can send an email to [email protected].
• You can call Allison Sanborn at (410) 767-3575.
• You can send us a message through your Submittable online application account.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Watch the Session

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Join the Session