Navigating Financial Aid at the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland (UMD) recognizes that financial support is crucial for many talented students to achieve their academic aspirations. With a longstanding commitment to providing financial assistance to students from diverse economic backgrounds, UMD offers a variety of financial aid options to help make a college degree attainable. The Office of Student Financial Aid is dedicated to assisting students in navigating the financial aid process and understanding the available resources. Approximately 80% of UMB students receive assistance through the office, with roughly $194 million processed yearly from institutional grants, scholarships, loans, state aid, and federal programs.

Types of Financial Aid Available

UMD offers a comprehensive range of financial aid options, including:

Scholarships and Grants: These provide funding that does not require repayment and are typically awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of both.
Federal Work-Study (FWS): This federally funded program enables students to earn money through part-time employment to help cover educational and living expenses.
Loans: These are borrowed funds that must be repaid after graduation, with federal loan terms often varying based on financial need.

The Importance of FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an essential tool for securing need-based financial aid, including grants, work-study, student loans, and certain scholarships. Submitting the FAFSA is a crucial step in the financial aid process. The FAFSA is the only application needed to be considered for federal loans. Students applying to UMD should not wait to be admitted before filing the FAFSA, as it has no bearing on admission decisions. To receive priority consideration for financial aid, all new, returning, and continuing eligible students must complete and submit the FAFSA each year by the UMD priority deadline of March 1.

Terrapin Commitment

As part of the financial aid offer, Terrapin Commitment funds are provided to eligible students to reduce the gap between offered aid and the actual cost of attendance.

Grant Programs Administered by UMD

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers several grant programs for UMD students, with offers made based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grant

This grant provides a "foundation" of financial aid, to which aid from other sources may be added. Only undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor's degree and demonstrating exceptional financial needs may receive a Federal Pell Grant. All undergraduate students will be considered for this grant, regardless of when their completed FAFSA is received. Students may receive the Federal Pell Grant for less than full-time attendance. However, the offer will be prorated based on the number of credits attempted. Offers range from $740 to $7,395 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Only undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor's degree and who demonstrate exceptional financial need may receive a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). Students must qualify for the Federal Pell Grant to be considered for the SEOG and must submit their completed 2025-26 FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline. Students may receive the SEOG for less than full-time attendance, although the offer will be prorated based on the number of credits attempted. Offers range from $100 to $300 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

UMD Grant & Terrapin Commitment

The UMD grant is offered to full-time undergraduate students who are State of Maryland residents demonstrating financial need. Terrapin Commitment is offered to low-income full-time undergraduate students who are State of Maryland residents demonstrating financial need. Students must submit their completed FAFSA for consideration.

TEACH Grant

To receive a Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, a student must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student; enrolled in coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework; maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA and sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

Federal Loan Programs

UMD participates in the Federal Direct Loan program, offering various loan options to students and parents.

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Federal Direct Loan Program

The Federal Direct Loan program is a low-interest-rate loan based on financial need for students who attend college at least half-time. The FAFSA is the only application students need to submit to be considered for a Direct Loan. This loan is borrowed by the student and must be repaid.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is an interest-bearing loan for students who do not demonstrate financial need or do not demonstrate sufficient need to borrow a full Direct Subsidized Loan. All students applying for either type of Direct Loan must complete the FAFSA. Students who do not demonstrate sufficient need to borrow the maximum Direct Subsidized Loan may borrow the difference in a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is a non-need-based loan, which parents/guardians may borrow to help cover the cost of their dependent children's education. The Direct PLUS Loan enables parents/guardians to borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance (as determined by the school) minus all other financial aid. Otherwise, there is no yearly or cumulative borrowing limit. The student must complete the FAFSA to apply for the Direct PLUS Loan.

Federal Work-Study Program Details

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides students with the opportunity to earn money to meet their educational and personal expenses through employment. Money earned from the FWS program does not have to be paid back. Students must submit their completed FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline to be considered for FWS. Pay rates depend on the position's level of complexity but will be at least the federal minimum wage. Like all university employees, FWS employees receive a paycheck every other week for hours worked. Most FWS jobs are on campus, though the Community Service Program allows FWS students to work off-campus at several Federal Government Agencies. Students with paid internships sign a contract at the beginning of the semester. The contract states the payment amount for the number of hours to be worked during that semester. The payment amount is advanced to the student's account at the start of each semester. This program differs from Federal Work-Study in that students receive all "wages" at the beginning of each semester instead of a bi-weekly paycheck and those funds are applied directly to the student's account. Several offices and departments on campus (such as Shuttle-UM, Residential Facilities and Dining Services) offer paid internships.

Maryland State Financial Aid Programs

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) provides a number of state grants, scholarships, and loan assistance repayment programs for eligible Maryland residents.

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Guaranteed Access Grant

The Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant is a need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions. The amount of the GA Grant equals 100 percent of the student's financial need for the student's first two years of receiving the award.

Educational Assistance Grant

The Educational Assistance (EA) Grant is a need-based grant that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants enrolled at postsecondary institutions. Students are NOT considered for the Howard P. NOT filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MHEC One App by the Maryland state deadline of March 1.

2+2 Transfer Scholarship

The 2+2 Transfer Scholarship is designed to assist and encourage transfer students from Maryland community colleges to attend a 4-year institution within the state within a timely manner. Students must be enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary education institution.

Part-Time Grant

The Part-Time grant provides financial assistance to degree-seeking undergraduates and students dually enrolled at a Maryland high school and an institution of higher education.

Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program

The Graduate & Professional Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to degree-seeking graduate and professional students.

Near Completer Grant

The Near Completer Grant provides financial assistance to Maryland residents who previously enrolled in a degree program but did not complete it, and now plan to re-enroll to earn their degree.

Other State Scholarships

Delegate Scholarship: Offered to Maryland residents pursuing postsecondary credentials at two-year or four-year institutions or private career schools.
Senatorial Scholarship: Offered to high school seniors and full-time/part-time undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students attending private career schools.
Maryland Police Officer Scholarship Program: Awarded to current police officers or individuals planning to become police officers, enrolled in programs furthering their law enforcement careers. Recipients must pledge to work as a police officer in the state upon completion of their studies.
Charles W. Riley Firefighter & Ambulance & Rescue Squad Member Scholarship Program
Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program: Provides financial assistance to Maryland residents pursuing education in cybersecurity-related programs.
Workforce Development Sequence Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to students enrolling in approved non-credit certificate programs at participating Maryland community colleges.
Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program: Provides financial assistance to Maryland residents planning to work in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation, including child care, human services, teaching, nursing, and more.
Tuition Reduction for Non-Resident Nursing Students: Available for non-residents accepted into a nursing program at a two-year or four-year public institution in Maryland.
Jack F. Tolbert Memorial Student Grant Program:
Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Student Grant Program and Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program: The Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program provides student financial assistance to certain Maryland residents due to their eligible military or public safety service or due to their eligible family or marital relationship to such an individual. The Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to eligible children and surviving spouses of school employees who, either died or sustained an injury that rendered the school employee 100 percent disabled, as a victim in an act of violence occurring in the line of duty.
Douglas J.J. Peters Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to United States Armed Forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or spouse who are current high school seniors and full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.
Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship

Service Obligations for Scholarship Recipients

Individuals receiving scholarships with a service requirement must begin employment in Maryland one year after degree completion, as outlined in the recipient's service obligation agreement and signed promissory note.

State Grant and Scholarship Appeals

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) at the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) has developed an appeal process that allows students, in certain instances, to appeal for (re)consideration of certain State financial aid programs.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources: UMD aims to provide access and advisory services to financial resources and scholarships to help students achieve their educational goals.
Federal Student Aid: Students eligible to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should complete it to be considered for federal grants, loans, and work-study funds. "Understanding FAFSA & Financial Aid," is now available in 10 languages.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act: On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, resulting in changes to federal student aid programs. Here are some additional resources on changes to federal student aid from the One Big Beautiful Act.Federal Student Aid Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Updated January 2026)Flowchart: 2026-27 & Beyond Graduate/Professional Student Loan Borrowing Limits (Updated January 2026)Flowchart: Ineligibility for Federal Pell Grants Due to Receipt of Non-Federal Financial Assistance (January 2026) View updates on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
USG Financial Aid: USG is a USM Regional Higher Education Center. All students eligible to submit a FAFSA must apply and include the Title IV school code for the Maryland Institution that they are attending at the USG campus. Please see this webpage highlighting each of the different financial aid offices for further details and contact information pertaining to each respective institution and their opportunities.
Special Circumstances: Awarding of need-based financial aid is based upon a student's eligibility as determined by data recorded on the FAFSA. If, however, a student's available income has decreased due to special circumstances, they may qualify for certain adjustments to their eligibility and aid awards through a process known as "Professional Judgement." Please contact the USG Center for Student Engagement and Financial Resources for more information on this process. In addition, students can utilize SwiftStudent, a free digital resource to learn more about eligibility, access templates by appeal type, and more.
Merit-Based Aid: Students are encouraged to research and apply for merit-based scholarship opportunities by searching the Web, public and school library resources, and by contacting their employers, area organizations, and community groups.
Federal Student Loans
Federal Work Study: Federal Work-Study (FWS) student employment positions are available onsite at USG. If you need convenient part-time employment, please read on.Students who apply and qualify for a Federal Work-Study (FWS) award as part of their financial aid package may pursue FWS employment positions available onsite at USG. An array of positions is available in both the Student Services and Academic Program offices, including positions in office/clerical, computer support, student services, and other areas.To participate in the FWS program, students must apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and be awarded FWS through their home institution. Some aid programs have citizenship requirements, but others do not. citizenship status. Search for merit-based scholarships because most merit scholarships don't have any citizenship requirements.

Estimating Costs and Financial Aid Offers

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. Off-campus cost of living expenses are determined based on the average estimated housing and food costs for the local area. The Office of Student Financial Aid will determine financial aid offers that best fit the student's needs and qualifications. A financial aid offer is usually a combination of grants, loans, and student employment. For most types of aid, students must attempt at least 12 credit hours each semester to receive a financial aid 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. 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).

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