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Maryland vs North Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Maryland offers a slightly higher average award size, while North Carolina has more grant opportunities. Applicants may prefer Maryland for larger awards or North Carolina for more options.

State vs State

State A

Maryland

State B

North Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricMarylandNorth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog4988
Avg. award (where known)$2,922$2,964
Max indexed award$9,000$10,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Maryland presents a scholarship climate characterized by an average award size of approximately $2,907, with a maximum award reaching $9,000. The state has a total of 36 grants available, with notable institutions like the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation and the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington leading the way in grant offerings.

Conversely, North Carolina showcases a slightly lower average award size of around $2,890, but offers a greater number of grants, totaling 44. The state’s top scholarship providers include the Foundation For The Carolinas and the Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation, which significantly contribute to the scholarship landscape.

Top Scholarship Providers in Maryland

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in North Carolina

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Maryland

Maryland's scholarship climate is competitive with fewer grants but higher average award sizes, appealing to applicants seeking substantial financial support.

North Carolina

North Carolina's climate is more abundant in grant opportunities, making it suitable for applicants who prefer a wider selection of funding options.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Maryland

Median household income

$104,998

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,372

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.15/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$59,510

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.28 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

24

ADI counties

24

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 24 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 24 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

North Carolina

Median household income

$71,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,102

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.80/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,970

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.83 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

100

ADI counties

100

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 100 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 100 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Maryland?
The average scholarship amount in Maryland is approximately $2,907.
How many grants are available in North Carolina?
North Carolina offers a total of 44 grants.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
North Carolina has a higher maximum scholarship award of $10,000 compared to Maryland's $9,000.
What are the top scholarship providers in Maryland?
Top scholarship providers in Maryland include the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation and the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington.
Where can I find more information about scholarships?
You can find more information about scholarships on the Federal Student Aid website and the College Scorecard.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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