Maryland BOOST: Amounts, Rules and Schools

How BOOST works

What you get	$1,200 to $4,750 in 2025-26, plus $3,000 for high school students. These are 2025-26 amounts. The advisory board sets new amounts each summer and had not posted 2026-27 figures in writing when we checked. The larger awards go to students coming from public school on free meals. Students receiving special education services got an extra award equal to their base award.
Who qualifies	Maryland students entering kindergarten through 12th grade whose household qualifies for free or reduced price school meals, enrolled or accepted at a participating nonpublic school. Pre-K is not eligible.
How full it is	In 2025-26 the state received 6,381 applications, found 4,249 income eligible, and 2,796 students received awards. About two out of three eligible applicants got one.
When to apply	The 2026-27 application ran March 9 to May 8, 2026 and is closed. The state keeps making offers as others decline until December 11, 2026. Expect a similar spring window for 2027-28.
How the money moves	The state mails a check to the school. The parent endorses it at the school office and it is applied to tuition.
What it covers	Tuition and required enrollment fees. Not transportation or meals.

Worth knowing: BOOST is not permanent law. It is funded one year at a time in the state budget and the money runs out, so a qualified family is not guaranteed an award. Students who had BOOST last year, and their siblings, are served first.

We read this on 2026-09-21 from: Maryland State Department of Education, BOOST; BOOST report to the legislature, January 2026 (award tiers and demand); BOOST participating schools, 2026-27; BOOST FAQ for parents. Rules change when the legislature meets, so check the official program site before you count on a number.

Run your own numbers

What would you pay?

Yearly tuition the school quoted Fees, books, uniforms BOOST award Children

BOOST pays between $1,200 and $7,750 depending on your household. We start with the lower figure. Change it if you know yours. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.

Which schools take it

Schools marked “BOOST school” appear on the Maryland State Department of Education list of participating nonpublic schools for 2026-27, updated April 2026.

Browse Maryland private schools

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does BOOST pay in Maryland?

$1,200 to $4,750 in 2025-26, plus $3,000 for high school students. These are 2025-26 amounts. The advisory board sets new amounts each summer and had not posted 2026-27 figures in writing when we checked. The larger awards go to students coming from public school on free meals. Students receiving special education services got an extra award equal to their base award.

Who is eligible?

Maryland students entering kindergarten through 12th grade whose household qualifies for free or reduced price school meals, enrolled or accepted at a participating nonpublic school. Pre-K is not eligible.

Does it cover the full cost of private school?

Not always. The award is a set amount and every school sets its own price. Ask each school for tuition plus fees, then subtract the award. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.

How do I know a school accepts BOOST?

Schools marked “BOOST school” appear on the Maryland State Department of Education list of participating nonpublic schools for 2026-27, updated April 2026.

When do I apply?

The 2026-27 application ran March 9 to May 8, 2026 and is closed. The state keeps making offers as others decline until December 11, 2026. Expect a similar spring window for 2027-28.

Maryland BOOST Scholarship