Maryland Colleges And Universities

* Need-based scholarships available through the Financial Aid Office, [phone]. Amount of awards averages $3,500. Financial need is determined by College Scholarship Service. The suggested filing date is March 1.

* Merit scholarships for freshmen administered by the institute's Admissions Office, [phone]. Categories include:

Thalheimer Plus Scholarship Program. 36 awards for freshmen who are invited to participate in the competition after their

portfolio is viewed: one $25,000, 10 $10,000; 25 $5,000. Finalists must submit grades and essays. The deadline is March 1.

Maryland Institute AICA Scholarship for freshmen. One year's ful tuition. Deadline March 1.

National Art Honor Society Scholarship. Six $1,000 scholarships. Deadline March 15.

Art Recognition and Talent Search Scholarships (affiliated with the National Foundation for the Arts). Three $1,000 to full-tuition scholarships for candidates selected by the arts foundation. Deadline Oct. 1.

University of Maryland System

The University of Maryland System has 11 member institutions:

*Bowie State University. [phone].

*Coppin State College. [phone].

*Frostburg State University. [phone].

*Salisbury State University. [phone] or 543-6161.

*Towson State University. [phone].

*University of Baltimore. [phone].

*UM at Baltimore. [phone].

*UM Baltimore County. [phone].

*UM College Park. [phone].

*UM Eastern Shore. [phone].

*UM University College. [phone].

The Francis Scott Key Scholarship program at College Park seeks to identify and select some of the brightest high school seniors in the nation to continue their education as Francis Scott Key Scholars. Students selected for this award will be afforded the following opportunities:

*Full financial support for four years (tuition, room, board, and fees).

*Admission to the Honors program and preference for Honors housing.

*Participation in the Scholars Internship Program. Scholars will be offered the opportunity to participate in a selective internship program or a cooperative education experience.

*Inclusion in the President's Colloqium. This series of meetings is designed to recognize the scholar's importance, build a sense of community among participants, and engage members in intellectual exchange around current issues of importance to the university, and the larger world beyond the university.

Selection is made from the following groups:

*Applicants for the Key Scholarships who present outstanding academic profiles, SAT scores and grade point averages, will be highly competitive for this award.

*The most competitive applicants for the Banneker and other Campus Merit Scholarship Awards, and National Merit/Achievement/Hispanic semi-finalists will be reviewed for eligi bility.

Contact: Dr. Patricia Thomas-Walton, assistant director, Admissions Office, [phone].

Meyerhoff Scholarships at the University of Maryland Baltimore County are computer science, math, biology, chemistry, physics and engineering scholarships for blacks. Thirty five renewable scholarships were granted last year. Number of awards varies annually. Average award is over $12,000 a year, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, stipend, a computer and summer school. Students must be Maryland residents to be considered for a scholarship, and should be nominated by their high school principals or guidance counselor. Deadline is Dec. 13. For further information, call Earnestine Baker, [phone].

Benjamin Banneker Scholarships are four-year awards given to black freshmen at College Park. Twenty new awards are made each year covering in-state tuition and mandatory fees. Recipients are admitted to the General Honors Program and are given priority for campus housing.

Financial need is not a criterion for selection. Students selected for this award will be offered the following opportunities:

*Full financial support for four years (tuition, room, board and fees).

*Admission to the Honors program and preference for Honors housing.

*Participation in the Scholars Internship Program. Scholars will be offered the opportunity to participate in a selective internship program or a cooperative education experience.

*Inclusion in the President's Colloqium. This series of meetings is designed to recognize the scholar's importance, build a sense of community among participants, and engage members in intellectual exchange around current issues of importance to the university and the larger world beyond.

National Achievement Finalists and Semifinalists are reviewed for eligibility for the Banneker Scholarships provided they notify the Banneker Scholarship Committee of these academic honors and submit an admissions application, official transcript, and SAT scores to the Admissions Office by Dec. 1. The Banneker Scholarship Committee will review a nominee's high school performance and SAT scores.

Contact: Dr. Patricia Thomas-Walton, assistant director, Admissions Office [phone].