Maryland’s Douglas J. J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts (VAIC) program offers aid to veterans, active-duty service members, or reservists who served in those conflicts, and to their spouses, children, or stepchildren. The 2026–27 application closes October 15, 2026. The program profile lists documents by relationship and Maryland requirements. Awards depend on priority and available funds, so starting an application does not reserve a scholarship.
The student must be a Maryland resident and admitted to or enrolled at an eligible Maryland institution as a full- or part-time undergraduate; a two-year terminal certificate may qualify if its credits are transferable toward an accredited bachelor’s degree. The service member must meet MHEC’s geographic and date criteria: Afghanistan on or after October 24, 2001, or Iraq on or after March 19, 2003, including contiguous airspace or waters defined by federal rules.
Maximums depend on living arrangement and are annual caps, not guaranteed awards: up to US$9,189 on campus, US$5,756 off campus, or US$5,186 living with parents. State rules limit the scholarship to no more than 50% of the reference tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board; a student’s actual college costs and other aid may reduce it. VAIC may supplement federal veterans’ education benefits, but combined assistance cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
Submit the MHEC One-App through MDCAPS with required documents before the deadline. A spouse submits a marriage certificate and military orders; a child or stepchild, a birth certificate and orders; active-duty applicants, current orders; veterans and reserve/Guard applicants, a DD-214 or other requested record. Documents must clearly show service in Iraq or Afghanistan. FAFSA or MHEC One-App for undocumented students had a March 1 state deadline for this cycle, which has passed as of this guide’s review.
VAIC gives renewal applicants first priority; then veterans rank ahead of dependents and spouses, and complete-application date matters within each group. Renewal may continue for up to four years full time or eight years part time while you maintain Maryland residency, eligible enrollment, and a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. If notified of an award, accept it within six weeks or it may be cancelled. MHEC warns that it cannot fund every eligible applicant; the institution certifies each semester and processes payment to the student account. Gather records and submit through MDCAPS promptly; check your status and ask campus financial aid how it coordinates with VA benefits.
Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship — Maryland Higher Education Commission.
2026–27 VAIC FAQ Sheet — Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Contact Us — Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Informational guide based on official sources checked on October 12, 2026. Deadlines, amounts, and eligibility may change; confirm the current round in the official portal before submitting documents.
If your family may qualify, complete MDCAPS by October 15 and ask MHEC about any missing documentation.
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Maryland Higher Education Commission — Douglas J. J. Peters VAIC Scholarship
217 E Redwood Street, Suite 2100, Baltimore, MD 21202
May help an eligible veteran/active-duty/reservist or their Maryland-resident spouse, child, or stepchild at an eligible state institution. Caps depend on living arrangement: up to US$9,189 on campus, US$5,756 off campus, or US$5,186 with parents; actual award and priority depend on funding and costs. It may supplement VA benefits but total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
State scholarship for veterans, service members, and families affected by Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Maryland Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Maryland Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Maryland Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Maryland Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Maryland Higher Education Commission — Douglas J. J. Peters VAIC Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Maryland Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Maryland Higher Education Commission — Douglas J. J. Peters VAIC Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Maryland Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.