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Paying for College

Various merit scholarships and need-based financial aid options are available to UMBC students. This chapter explains both options and how to apply for assistance.

Need-based Student Financial Aid

UMBC assists students in meeting educational expenses by administering and coordinating various federal, state and institutional student aid programs, including grants, scholarships, loans and paid employment.

Grants and scholarships are considered “gift aid” and require no repayment. Loans and employment programs are considered self-help.

Educational loans, offered at low-interest rates, generally are required to be repaid after leaving UMBC. Students earn an hourly wage through employment programs for work performed at an approved job assignment.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships administers various financial aid programs solely on the basis of need. UMBC determines the types and amount of aid students may receive by evaluating each student’s financial need and the availability of funds. Eligible students receive awards on a first-come, first-served basis.

How and When to Apply

Students who wish to be considered for need-based aid must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

We strongly encourage students and parents to complete the online application. Processing electronic applications is up to two weeks faster than the paper application, and there are many edits built into the online version which catch commonly made mistakes. However, if you wish to complete a paper application, they are available in high school guidance offices and public libraries.

The FAFSA should be completed no later than February 14 to be considered for priority awarding of preferred funds available at UMBC. You must include UMBC’s school code of 002105 on the FAFSA. This will ensure that UMBC receives your FAFSA results.

UMBC will continue to consider completed applications submitted after February 14; however, funding is limited.

In addition, students may be asked to provide additional documentation such as federal tax returns to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for verification of the FAFSA information. It is extremely important for students to respond promptly to all requests for additional information. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the student’s financial aid awards.

Continuing students must meet satisfactory academic progress standards to continue to receive financial aid at UMBC. UMBC Satisfactory Academic Progress standards were developed to conform to federal regulations for Title IV funding.

It is important to note that financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards differ from UMBC academic standards.

Additional information is provided at www.umbc.edu/financialaid. If you have

questions, please call 410-455-2387, e-mail finaid@umbc.edu or visit the Financial Aid Office Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

You also may send correspondence to:

UMBC Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships at UMBC range from $500 per year to $22,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded to students with exceptional academic or artistic talent. Most of these awards do not take financial need into account.

When an outstanding student is admitted to the university, his or her name is submitted by the Office of Admissions to the Scholarship Committee, which reviews the student’s qualifications. If selected for an award, the student is notified by the committee in the spring.

Merit scholarships at UMBC are competitive. Students are encouraged to apply for admission by November 1 to ensure full consideration. Merit scholarships at UMBC are available to both Maryland residents and out-of-state students.

Merit awards may be renewed for up to four years. Each award carries requirements for maintaining the scholarship.

Freshman applicants are considered for the following awards:

Premier Scholars

Awarded to those entering freshmen who combine the highest achievement and intellectual potential. These scholarships provide $15,000 per year for in-state students and $22,000 per year for out-of-state students for four academic years.

UMBC Heritage Award

Awarded for outstanding academic merit and achievement. These scholarships provide $10,000 per year for in-state students and $15,000 per year for out-of-state students for four academic years.

President’s Fellows

Awarded for outstanding academic merit and achievement. These scholarships provide $5,000 per year for in-state students and $10,000 per year for out-of-state students for four academic years.

President’s Scholars

Awarded for academic merit and achievement. These four-year scholarships provide $3,500 per academic year for in-state students and $7000 per year for out-of-state students.

Dean’s Scholars

Recognizes students with strong academic records. These four-year scholarships provide $2,500 per academic year for in-state students and $5,000 per year for out-of-state students.

Honors College Scholarships

Awarded to outstanding freshmen entering UMBC’s Honors College. These scholarships, awarded by the Honors College, provide $1,000 per year.

The Scholars Programs at UMBC

The Scholars Programs at UMBC are for students who seek to focus their education through intense study in their major. Application deadlines for these programs range from late November to early January. A nomination process also may be required. Students selected as finalists compete in a final round of selection that includes interviews and testing.

Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) Scholars Program

The Center for Women and Information Technology Scholars Program is a merit scholarship opportunity for talented undergraduates majoring in computer science, computer engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, information systems or a related program.

The Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) is a program dedicated to providing global leadership in achieving women’s full participation in all aspects of information technology. Women’s participation in IT will strengthen the workforce, raise the standard of living for many women and help to assure that information technology addresses women’s needs and expands the possibilities for their lives. This program is open to both women and men who support women’s full involvement in information technology.

CWIT Scholars will receive four-year, fixed scholarships ranging from $5,000 per academic year to $22,000. Each scholar in the program will participate in special courses and activities and receive mentoring from faculty and participating members of the IT community.

Another key component of the program is participation in at least one internship or undergraduate research experience during the four years.

Linehan Artist Scholars Program

Awards four-year scholarships that range from $5,000 per academic year to $22,000 per year to incoming freshmen committed to pursuing a degree in the performing arts, including theatre, music, dance or the visual arts. Candidates compete on both artistic and academic merit. An audition or portfolio review is part of the selection process.

In addition to their awards, artist scholars participate in special programs and events that draw upon the wealth of cultural activities from Washington, D.C., to New York.

Humanities Scholars Program

Awards four-year scholarships ranging from $5,000 per academic year to $22,000 per year to incoming freshmen interested in pursuing studies in literature, history, philosophy or languages. A year-long interdisciplinary course taught by two of UMBC’s top faculty in the humanities anchors the freshman year. Humanities scholars also participate in special seminars and cultural enrichment activities. In addition, scholars are funded for a required junior semester abroad.

Meyerhoff Scholars Program

Awards a four-year scholarship from $5,000 to $22,000 per academic year to high-achieving entering freshmen who are committed to promoting minority careers in science, mathematics and engineering. The program emphasizes postgraduate study. Meyerhoff scholars participate in a range of academic and cultural enrichment activities, as well as an intensive six-week summer residential experience at the start of their freshman year.

Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program

Awards four-year scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $22,000 per academic year to incoming freshmen interested in developing an understanding of public policy and in exploring careers in public affairs, public service and the non-profit sector. Students will examine policy development at all levels of government, as well as throughout corporate and nonprofit policy to community service and others. A key component of the scholar’s experience will be a formal internship in government, nonprofit agencies or the corporate sector. A fifth year of scholarship support will be available for scholars admitted to a joint bachelor’s/master’s program at UMBC.

Sherman Teacher Education Scholars

Awards range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year for up to four academic years. The program leverages UMBC’s strengths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to address the shortage of highly qualified math and science teachers and the achievement gap between students from low-income families and their counterparts. Scholars participate in service-learning and fellowships and are exposed to the teaching profession through the classroom, guest lectures and roundtable discussions.

Transfer Scholarships

Honors College Scholarship

Transfer students admitted to the Honors College are considered for the Honors College Scholarship.

The Academic Achievement Award for Transfers

Awarded to community college transfers on the basis of academic accomplishment. Awards of up to $2,500 per year for two academic years may be used for full- or part-time study. Students must have completed 35 or more credits at the time of application and must submit an essay with their application for admission.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship

Awarded to PTK members transferring from a community college. Awards of up to $2,500 per year for two academic years. Students who submit both proof of PTK membership and an essay with their admissions application automatically will be considered for the award.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UMBC Office of Scholarships at 410-455-3813, or via e-mail at schl_info@umbc.edu.

Athletic Scholarships

UMBC, an NCAA Division I campus, offers athletic scholarships in all 19 of its sports programs. Additional information can be obtained by writing or calling UMBC’s athletics department at 410-455-2216.

Special Merit Award for Chess

Variable awards from $1,000 to $10,000 annually for students with strong academic records and very high chess ratings (over 2300).

Tournament-Based Awards

Reserved for winners of U.S. Cadet Championship and Maryland “Sweet 16” Scholastic Chess Championship. Incoming freshmen receive a fixed-dollar, four-year tuition award.

UMBC Coca-Cola® Chess Fellows

A limited number of fixed-dollar tuition awards with $15,000/year food and housing stipends. Candidates must be good students with extraordinary chess ratings (over 2500). Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible.

For full consideration, applications are due December 15. SAT (or ACT) scores are required; also TOEFL for nonnative English speakers.

Scholarships for Current Students

Scholarship Retriever is an online database that helps current students identify scholarship opportunities outside of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. These scholarships are either sponsored by UMBC departments or sources outside of UMBC for UMBC students. Please visit our Web site www.umbc.edu/financialaid and click on Scholarships to access the database.

Veteran’s Benefits

The Veterans Affairs Office is located in the Office of the Registrar. Eligible students must contact the VA office prior to each semester to ensure sufficient time to process of educational benefits.

UMBC does not have advance payment. Veterans must pay of all tuition, fees and textbook costs. These charges will not be deferred because of nonreceipt of VA checks.

Monthly Payment Plan

UMBC offers a monthly payment plan that allows students to pay university expenses in regular monthly installments. For information about the plan, visit www.umbc.edu/bursar.