Cummings Scholars Program

Building on the success of the Baltimore Scholars program established in 2005, the expanded Cummings Scholars Program launched in 2022 and has since grown into a cornerstone of Hopkins’ commitment to expanding access to higher education.  

The program honors the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, who held deep connections to the Hopkins community, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. Congressman Cummings’ commitment to community, demonstrated personal and positional leadership, focus on expanding opportunity for others, and his strong belief in investing in our nation’s future through our youth, serve as the Program’s guiding foundational elements.

“You are the ones that can guide us the rest of the way…”

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, addressing Hopkins graduates at Commencement in 2015

About the Program

The Cummings Scholars Program offers a comprehensive, two-tiered financial aid program to high-achieving students from families earning up to $200,000 with typical assets. More than just financial support, scholars benefit from individual and cohort leadership development opportunities, a guided pathway to pursue their passions, and signature experiences that facilitate meaningful connections with faculty, alumni, and campus partners.

Scholars selected for the program will enjoy membership in a vibrant community of faculty members, peer Scholars, and alumni that will serve students in their years at Hopkins and beyond. True to Congressman Cummings’ vision that young people are the key to our future, the program ensures opportunities for students to develop their gifts and talents in their chosen field, and be poised for future leadership and impact through our Cummings Scholars Signature Experiences:

• Connections to world-renowned faculty through meals, scholarly discussions, and social gatherings
• A one-credit course offered in the fall semester of the first year that provides Cummings Scholars the opportunity to explore scholarly opportunities and engage with campus resources
• Access to funding for internships, research, and learning abroad experiences

The Scholarship Award

As part of their selection and full participation as Cummings Scholars, students receive financial aid to support their enrollment and success at Hopkins as follows:

For families making up to $100,000:

The scholarship covers full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and meals, fees, books, and other associated costs. Students also receive an annual startup grant of $1,500.

For families making $100,000–$200,000:

Family contribution is capped at 10 percent of total family income.* For example, a Cummings Scholar whose household income was $200,000 would be asked to pay about $20,000 toward their education each year, and the scholarship would meet the remaining cost.

*Assuming typical assets for their income level.

eligibility

To be considered for the scholarship, students must:

• Be graduates of a Baltimore City or Washington, DC public school or public charter school
• Have been a Baltimore City or Washington, DC resident and attended a Baltimore City or DC public school or public charter school for at least 10th, 11th, and 12th grades
• Be a full-time, first-year, and first-time degree-seeking student
• Meet the income eligibility requirements and submit all required financial aid documents by the deadline (Note: If you would like to request a waiver for the CSS Profile, please contact Student Financial Support.)

A separate application for this program is not required. Students who meet the eligibility requirements and are admitted to Johns Hopkins University will automatically become a Cummings Scholar.

If you have questions about the Cummings Scholars Program, please reach out to Savannah Miller at savannah.miller@jhu.edu.

FAQs

• About
• Eligibility
• Financial Aid

About

Who are Cummings Scholars?

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Cummings Scholars are academic achievers who have demonstrated a commitment to community and leadership embodied by Elijah E. Cummings throughout his life. Students are selected for their demonstrated achievement and also their potential for future leadership and impact.

What majors are offered to Cummings Scholars?

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Cummings Scholars are encouraged to pursue their academic interests among the majors offered at Hopkins. Cummings Scholars represent the variety of disciplines we offer, from the STEM fields to the humanities and social sciences.

How do students take advantage of the Program's offerings?

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The Cummings Scholars Program makes it easy for students to fully engage in leadership development and signature experiences, through the program staff who ensure students are able to participate fully in at least three experiences in their time at Hopkins (e.g. internship, research, study abroad). Students will also be able to participate in “behind the scenes” opportunities with faculty, city officials, industry leaders, and future employers.

What is faculty engagement like as Cummings Scholars?

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In addition to the cohort network, students engage with—and are also supported by—a dedicated board of faculty members, who connect with them throughout their time at Hopkins to offer guidance, mentorship, and advocacy.

How many Cummings Scholars are there in each entering class?

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The Cummings Scholars program will invite a cohort of approximately 20 students into its community each year, building to a community of approximately 78 Scholars over four years.

What are the benefits of participating in the Cummings Scholars Program?

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Cummings Scholars receive the benefit of scholarship support as well as the foundational experiences, connections, and membership in a cohort that ensure they are poised to succeed in college and professionally in their chosen field following graduation.

All Cummings Scholars are welcomed into lifelong membership of this incredible cohort of Scholars and leaders who support current Scholar and alumni success now and into the years to come.

Eligibility

How do I know if I've been chosen as a Cummings Scholar?

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Students receive information about their award at the time of decision release of their admissions plan. If students meet the eligibility requirements and are admitted to an undergraduate program at Hopkins, they are automatically a part of the Cummings Scholars Program. No additional application is needed.

Admitted students who do not qualify for the financial or residency requirements of the scholarship will receive the standard financial aid notification with their admitted student materials.

What are the requirements for retaining the scholarship throughout my time as an undergraduate

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The scholarship continues as long as the student maintains a 2.0 cumulative GPA, completes at least 12 credits per semester, and remains in good standing.

I graduated from a Baltimore City public school a couple of years ago and have attended another college. If I transfer to Hopkins, am I eligible for the Cummings Baltimore Scholars Program?

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No. The program’s focus is on students applying directly out of high school as first-time, first-year, degree-seeking students. Transfer applicants will be considered for aid through the regular financial aid process.

Are private high school students eligible for this program?

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Ultimately, the Cummings Scholars Program represents a partnership between Johns Hopkins University, the cities of Baltimore and Washington, DC, and their public schools, and is not available to students in private high schools.

Though these students are not eligible for the Cummings Scholars Program, the university has a commitment to making Hopkins an affordable option to all admitted students. All admitted students who apply for financial aid will receive an offer that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need.

What happens if my family moves out of Baltimore or DC while I am a Cummings Scholar?

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Once you are designated a Cummings Scholar, that designation does not change, even if your family moves out of Baltimore or Washington, DC.

Financial Aid

What happens if my family income changes after I’ve been admitted as part of the Cummings Baltimore Scholars Program?

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Financial eligibility is determined at the time of admission and the scholarship is awarded for all four years of undergraduate study. If you have questions about how any change in your family’s situation would impact your financial aid award, as part of the Cummings Scholars Program or in general, please speak with your financial aid adviser.

What happens if I win an additional scholarship from an outside source? Would it be added to my Cummings Scholars award?

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Federal and Maryland State grants will reduce your award; however other scholarship awards can be combined with the Cummings Scholars award but only up to the level of the cost of attendance at Hopkins (including room and board and expenses) for students in the $100,000-$200,000 tier. After the total cost of attendance is met, funds from your Cummings Scholars award would be reduced to bring your scholarships in line with actual cost.

I have a parent who works at the university. Would I receive the full Cummings Baltimore Scholars Program grant in addition to the tuition grant benefit my parent receives?

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No. We will adjust the Cummings Scholars award to ensure that total tuition scholarship assistance from all sources is not greater than the cost of tuition at Hopkins.

how to apply for financial aid

From important deadlines to application instructions and resources, get the information you need to understand and begin the financial aid process.

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