ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced $5 million in grants to provide support for first-generation student access to post-secondary education. Administered through the
Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program, to be used during the 2025-2026 academic year, the awards will support community-led programs that help low-income students in high-poverty school systems create more pathways to work, wages, and wealth.
“As we work to prepare the next generation to join Maryland’s workforce, we must ensure that students from every corner of our state are included in that vision,”
said Gov. Moore. “And to end the myth that every Marylander must attend a 4-year institution to be successful, we’re doubling down on our efforts to connect more students to the 2-year institutions, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs. Because in Maryland, a comprehensive approach to building our workforce means encouraging every path to success, and leaving no one behind.”
The program, which was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2016, supports students who pre-qualify for the
Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant. As part of the program, students are connected to a non-profit, community-based organization near their home that provides services such as mentoring, academic tutoring and coaching, mental health support, leadership development, and college and career readiness programming like SAT prep, college admissions and financial aid workshops, and career exploration. The program provides a cohort-based model of support, with cohort members identified as early as 8th grade to receive support through high school and their first year of post-secondary education.
“These grants are critical for non-profit organizations who work to develop students in the most vulnerable areas of the state,”
said Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary Dr. Sanjay Rai. “Identifying cohorts of students as early as middle school places them in a position to receive much needed support through high school graduation and into college.”
“We are honored to partner with the Maryland Higher Education Commission in advancing the governor’s vision for equitable access to higher education,”
said First Generation College Bound Founder and Chief Executive Officer Joe Fisher. “Through the Next Generation Scholars Program, we are helping to ensure that talented students from every background are prepared to succeed in college and contribute to Maryland’s future. Our shared commitment is opening doors to opportunity, strengthening our communities, and building a more competitive state.”
The grant awards announced today also support the administration’s all-of-government approach to both combating childhood poverty and uplifting young men and boys. Included among the awardees are
ENOUGH Initiative members—community-led organizations serving in neighborhoods with high concentrations of child poverty—such as the Latin American Youth Center and The Y in Central Maryland. Also included among grantees are organizations who primarily serve young men and boys, including
Next One Up—which the governor toured last month—the United Way of Central Maryland, and the Sanctuary Collective.
“In Baltimore, our young men don’t see resources and opportunities that reflect the pathways they want to take in life,”
said Next One Up Senior Program Director Shel Simon. “At Next One Up, we strive to present those opportunities and then challenge our young men to put forth the energy it takes to be successful in those spaces. It’s a joy to be embedded as part of their village and see them thrive.”
The review panel, which includes representatives from the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission, recommended funding for 13 organizations:
- CollegeBound Foundation (Baltimore City)
- First Generation College Bound (Prince George’s County)
- Goucher College (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, and Arundel County)
- Higher Achievement (Baltimore City)
- It Takes A Village to Help Our Children (Somerset County)
- KIPP Baltimore (Baltimore City)
- Latin American Youth Center/Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (Prince George’s County)
- Maryland Business Roundtable for Education (Allegany County, Caroline County, Dorchester County, Kent County, and Wicomico County)
- Next One Up Foundation (Baltimore City)
- The Sanctuary Collective (Baltimore City and Baltimore County)
- The United Way of Central Maryland (Baltimore City)
- University of Maryland Baltimore (Baltimore City)
- The Y in Central Maryland (Baltimore City)
“A strong future for the next generation of Marylanders begins at the neighborhood level – with innovative programs that address the social, academic, and career needs of our young people,”
said Latin American Youth Center President and Chief Executive Officer Lupi Quinteros-Grady. “Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Miller are committed to empowering neighborhood-led organizations doing this necessary work. This award will complement the resources from the ENOUGH Initiative in helping us meet our goal to support young people through their transition to adulthood.”
“Maryland’s students deserve access to college and career visualization and workforce development tools early in their education journey,”
said Maryland Business Roundtable for Education Executive Director Sharon Markley Schreiber. “Businesses must have access to a future-ready workforce to thrive. We are grateful for the leadership and support of Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Miller in selecting MBRT to continue in its ninth year of the FY 2025 Next Generation Scholars program through MHEC.”
“This award will help us in our determination to equip young people in Baltimore with the resources they need to succeed,”
said The Y in Central Maryland Vice President for Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Charmayne Turner. “Building strong communities requires robust and targeted efforts to support youth and their families. We are grateful to the Moore-Miller administration for implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes programs like the ENOUGH Initiative to ensure young people across the state of Maryland can thrive.”
For more information on the Next Generation Scholars Program, visit
mhec.maryland.gov.
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