Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Scholarships and Grants at Coppin State University

Coppin State University (CSU) is committed to fostering student success by providing access to higher education. Understanding the financial challenges many students face, Coppin offers a variety of scholarships and grants to help ease the burden of tuition and other expenses. These opportunities are made possible through the generous support of donors to the Coppin State University Development Foundation.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Coppin State University offers merit scholarships to recognize the academic achievements of incoming first-year and transfer students. No separate application is required for these scholarships; students are automatically considered when they apply for admission to a degree-seeking program. While essays, references, resumes, and recommendations are encouraged to strengthen an application, the primary criterion is academic excellence. These scholarships are competitive and offered by invitation only, making it essential to apply early.

The Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship stands as the highest merit award at Coppin State University, recognizing outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service. This four-year, renewable scholarship covers a comprehensive range of expenses, including tuition, room and board, fees, insurance, and up to $2,000 per year for books.

To be eligible for the Presidential Scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors with a weighted cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. While CSU is currently test-optional, historically, requirements included an SAT score of 1200 or an ACT composite score of 25. During the summer orientation, Presidential Scholars will select an Excellence track to further enhance their academic and leadership skills.

Need-Based Grants and Scholarships

Assistance is available to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need. Only currently enrolled Coppin students are eligible to apply. Each applicant must complete a FAFSA in order to be eligible to receive funds from the PDA Program unless that student is ineligible to receive Federal Financial Aid.

Read also: GPA and Coppin State University

Private Donor Awards (PDA) Program

The Private Donor Awards (PDA) Program offers scholarships funded by private donors committed to supporting education at Coppin State University. These scholarships are available to currently enrolled students who demonstrate both academic achievement and financial need.

To apply for PDA scholarships, students must complete the General Application. The application status should display "Submitted" upon completion. The system automatically matches students with scholarships for which they are eligible based on the information provided in their application. Students will not see their auto-matched scholarships listed. After submitting the general application, students may be presented with "Recommended" opportunities for which they may qualify. Students can check the status of their application by logging back into the system at any time. The open application period typically runs from March 31 to May 31. For instance, the application period was from March 31, 2026 to May 31, 2026.

The PDA program works in conjunction with the Financial Aid Office to coordinate various forms of student assistance, including federal, state, institutional, and private aid. All awards are forwarded to the Financial Aid Office to ensure that a student's financial aid package does not exceed federal guidelines. The Financial Aid Office then develops the student's award package and determines the unmet need.

Students needing additional assistance may apply for an award to purchase books, with an account set up at the Coppin bookstore reflecting the award amount. Incoming freshmen are generally not eligible to apply directly to this program; however, the Office of Admissions may identify incoming freshmen and/or transfer students to receive funding from the Private Donor Scholarship program.

In cases of emergency, students can apply for assistance through the Office of Student Affairs, with awards made on a case-by-case basis. The Scholarship Review Committee may place a student on probation if their academic performance falls below the minimum standard as per the award criteria. Probation lasts for one semester, during which the student must improve their academic performance.

Read also: Coppin State Requirements

External Scholarship Opportunities

Featherstone College Scholarship

The Featherstone College Scholarship, offered by the Featherstone Foundation, provides tuition assistance to deserving students. Since 2017, the foundation has awarded over $403,000 through 156 Featherstone Scholarships to students from numerous countries and languages attending various institutions.

STEM-Focused Initiatives and Grants

Coppin State University's commitment to STEM education is evident through its various initiatives and grant-funded programs, particularly within the Center for Nanotechnology.

Center for Nanotechnology

Established in 2007, the Center for Nanotechnology at Coppin State University fosters collaboration between faculty and students from the College of Arts and Sciences. The center's work encompasses experimental research and development in nano and bio technologies, as well as modeling and simulation efforts in computational nanotechnology, nanoelectronics, and nanofabrication. The center has received grant support from organizations such as the Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), DOE, NASA, and the Undergraduate Education and Research Traineeship (NSF-IGERT) program.

E2-Energy to Educate Grant

Coppin State University was awarded an E2-Energy to Educate Grant from the Constellation Energy Foundation, totaling $280,000 over seven years (2011-2017). This grant supported educational programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of renewable energy students from West Baltimore. Students were introduced to renewable energy concepts, including fuel cell technology, learning the principles of operation and participating in fuel cell fabrication.

Fuel Cells in Renewable Energy Systems

The program emphasized the importance of fuel cells as renewable energy sources, addressing the environmental concerns associated with fossil fuels. Students were exposed to different types of fuel cells, including Alkali fuel cells, Molten carbonate fuel cells, Phosphoric Acid fuels cells, Proton Exchange Fuel Cells, and Solid Oxide Fuel cells. The curriculum also highlighted the need for energy storage and charging devices to complement intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Read also: Legacy of Coppin State University

High School STEM Engagement

Coppin State University actively engages with local high schools to promote STEM education and research.

Energy Storage and Charging System Technologies

A program involving 240 students from Blueford Jamison STEM Academy (BDJ), Carver Vocational Technical High School, Al-Rahmah High School (ARH), and Coppin Academy High School, coached by Coppin State University faculty, researchers, and students, focused on energy storage and charging system technologies for a solar light rail. Students received hands-on training and learned about energy storage, rapid charging devices, and the construction of the light rail.

Photovoltaic Energy and Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

The Coppin State University Science and Technology Center provided opportunities for 200 high school students to explore photovoltaic energy and dye sensitized solar cells. Coppin faculty and students mentored students from Coppin Academy High School (CAHS), Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy (BDJ), Carver Vocational and Technical High School (Carver), Frederick Douglass High School, and Maryland Academy of Technology and Health Science Charter School (MATHS). The partnered high schools were located within a one-mile radius of the university.

Coppin faculty members and students mentored 50 high school students in designing solar energy science projects for the CSU International Symposium on Innovation of Science, Nanotechnology, Human Health and Environment for a Global Society.

New Energy Technologies Exploration

Additional programs involved students from Coppin State University and Coppin Academy in exploring new energy technologies like quantum dot solar cells and nanotechnology. Researchers and engineers in the solar technology industry mentored students as they designed projects and explored career opportunities.

Students from Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy and Coppin State University also explored new energy technologies including nanocrystalline solar cell, silicon solar cells, multijunction solar cells, and nanotechnology.

Nanomaterials in Solar Cells

A program engaged 200 college and high school students in exploring the properties of solar cells and investigating how nanomaterials are used to increase solar conversion efficiency.

Faculty Support

Coppin State University recognizes and supports the work of its faculty in STEM fields through various awards and initiatives.

Dr. Jamal Uddin

Dr. Jamal Uddin, associate professor in the Department of Natural Science and founder and director of the Coppin Nanotechnology Center, has received awards to support his work with undergraduate and graduate students and Coppin's Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Center.

Navigating the Application Process

Applying for scholarships and grants at Coppin State University involves several key steps:

Apply for Admission: For merit-based scholarships, simply apply for admission to a degree-seeking program.
Complete the General Application: For Private Donor Awards, complete the General Application and ensure the status shows "Submitted."
Submit the FAFSA: All applicants for need-based aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Monitor the Application Portal: Regularly check the application portal for updates and recommended opportunities.

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