Updated as of February 10, 2024.
Who Is Eligible for Tuition Waivers?
Tuition waiver for attendance at Maryland community colleges is available to individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
SSDI and SSI eligibility
- Disability
- Individuals who are legally blind and who meet income and resource requirements are eligible to receive SSI (and, in some cases, SSDI).
- Individuals with other disabilities must meet statutory requirements by proving that the individual has a disability that:
- results in the inability to do any substantial gainful activity; and
- can be expected to result in death; or
- has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
- Income and resources
- For children younger than 18, the income and resources of a parent or guardian are considered for eligibility purposes
- For individuals over 18 years of age, only their income and resources (and those of a spouse, if any) are included.
Which Community Colleges?
Available at ALL community colleges in Maryland:
- Up to 12 credits per semester if the individual is enrolled in classes as part of a degree or a certificate program designed to lead to employment.
- If the individual is not enrolled in a program designed to lead to employment, tuition for up to six (6) credits per semester may be waived.
Important Prerequisite
MUST file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
- Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
- Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.