Office of Student Financial Aid
0115 Mitchell Building
Phone: 301-314-TERP (8377)
Fax: 1-301-405-9265
umdfinaid@umd.edu
http://financialaid.umd.edu
Director: Dawit Lemma
We understand that without financial support, a college degree would be out of reach for many talented students. That's why the University of Maryland (UMD) has a long history of providing financial support to students of all economic backgrounds. The Office of Student Financial Aid is here to help you navigate the financial aid process and understand your options. Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study funds are offered based on academic ability and/or financial need as determined by a federal needs analysis system.
To receive priority consideration for financial aid, all new, returning, and continuing eligible students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by the UMD priority deadline of April 1. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1.
- Students applying to UMD should not wait to be admitted before filing the FAFSA. The FAFSA has no bearing on a student's admission decision. However, students will not receive final consideration for aid until they have been offered admission to a degree program or eligible certificate program.
Estimating Educational Cost
The Office of Student Financial Aid has prepared an estimated cost of attendance to assist students with estimating the cost of a year in UMD. These estimated rates include direct costs (tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and food plan) and estimates of indirect expenses (transportation, books, supplies, miscellaneous personal costs).
Off-campus cost of living expenses are determined based on the average estimated housing and food costs for the local area. Since these are indirect costs, the university will not bill them.
UMD tuition and fees can be found by visiting the Office of Student Financial Services and Cashiering website.
General Regulations Applicable to All Forms of Aid
Aid Procedures
The Office of Student Financial Aid will determine financial aid offers that best fit the students' needs and qualifications. A financial aid offer is normally a combination of grants, loans and student employment. It is determined by the availability of financial aid and the financial circumstances of each student, as expressed on the FAFSA.
Change in Financial Situation
Students are responsible for notifying the Office of Student Financial Aid of any changes to their financial circumstances during the year.
Citizenship Status
Students must be United States citizens or eligible non-citizens to be eligible for federal, state, or university financial assistance.
Default/Owe Refund
To be eligible for financial aid from UMD, students cannot be in default on an educational loan or owe any refund on a Pell Grant or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) previously received at any post-secondary institution.
Degree-Seeking
Students must be working toward, or have recently been admitted to, a degree/eligible certificate program to be eligible to receive financial aid.
Full-Time Status
For most types of aid, students must attempt at least 12 credit hours each semester to receive a financial aid offer. Please refer to the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress when considering dropping below 12 credit hours for any given semester.
Reapplication Requirement
All students requesting need-based aid must complete and submit the FAFSA annually. Need-based assistance is not automatically renewed from year to year. Each application must indicate a continued financial need, and the student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Receiving a Non-University Offer
If a student receives assistance (scholarship, grant, waiver, or loan) from a non-university source, the university may reduce the financial aid offered by the university. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid of all outside offers.
Satisfactory Progress
Academic performance is reviewed at the end of each semester or upon a student's re-enrollment at UMD.
This is done to determine if the student is able to receive financial aid by making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The review is based on qualitative (grade point average) and quantitative measures (credits completed vs. credits attempted). It is also cumulative for all academic work attempted at the University of Maryland and transferred credits.