Maryland Higher Education Commission — Douglas J. J. Peters VAIC Scholarship
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.
About Maryland Higher Education Commission — Douglas J. J. Peters VAIC Scholarship
The Douglas J. J. Peters VAIC Scholarship is a Maryland state award, separate from federal GI Bill benefits. It serves veterans, active-duty service members, and reserve or National Guard members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, plus certain family members. The posted 2026–27 deadline is October 15, so families should gather military records promptly.
Applicants must be Maryland residents and admitted to or enrolled at an eligible in-state postsecondary institution. Students attend an undergraduate degree program full or part time, or a terminal two-year certificate with credits transferable toward an accredited bachelor’s degree. The rule sets service dates and geographic areas: Afghanistan on or after October 24, 2001, and Iraq on or after March 19, 2003, including contiguous areas defined by regulation.
The maximum depends on housing: up to US$9,189 on campus, US$5,756 off campus, and US$5,186 living with parents. The award cannot exceed 50% of specified reference tuition, mandatory-fee, and housing costs and is also limited by each institution’s cost of attendance. It can supplement VA benefits, but total state and military aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance. MHEC does not guarantee funds for everyone who qualifies.
Applications run through the MHEC One-App in MDCAPS. A spouse submits a marriage certificate and military orders; a child or stepchild, a birth certificate and orders; a veteran, DD-214; an active-duty applicant, current orders; a reservist or Guard member, records showing activation and service. Documents must clearly identify Iraq or Afghanistan service. Review every section before submission because incomplete files do not enter awarding.
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.
Who it serves and what it can cover: 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.
How to apply or get help: The 2026–27 VAIC application closes October 15, 2026. Submit the form and records through MDCAPS; MHEC lists 410-767-3300 and general hours 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
State scholarship for veterans, service members, and families affected by Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts