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The Financial Aid Process

Applying for financial aid doesn't need to be stressful. Follow these tips to get the most out of your experience.

• Read all correspondence that the Financial Aid Office sends to you and respond immediately to any requests.
• Keep all of your personal information up to date.  This includes your legal name, address, and telephone numbers.  If you move, you can submit an “address change” through your MyUMUC account.
• Apply early. For priority consideration of limited need-based federal, state, and institutional funding, the FAFSA application should be filed by the established priority deadlines of June 1 (fall), November 1 (spring), and April 1 (summer). 
• Maintain a "Financial Aid" file and keep track of your submitted documents.

E-mail the Financial Aid Office or call 800-888-UMUC (8682) if you have any questions regarding your financial aid.

Getting Started

How to Determine Your Financial Aid Eligibility

Eligibility for federal student aid is determined on the basis of financial need and several other factors. An eligible applicant must

1. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
2. Have a valid social security number;
3. Register with the Selective Service (males between the age of 18 and 25);
4. Not have been convicted under federal or state law of the sale or possession of drugs while receiving Federal Financial Aid;
5. Be enrolled and working toward a degree or eligible certificate;
6. Possess a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate;   
7. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) while in school. Read the Graduate SAP policy. Read the Undergraduate SAP policy.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Listed below are four steps to applying for aid at UMUC.

1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
   • For priority consideration, your FAFSA must be received by the established priority deadlines of June 1 (fall), November 1 (spring) and April 1 (summer).  While no award for financial aid can be given until you have been admitted to UMUC, please do not wait until your admission decision has been received to submit the FAFSA.
   • The FAFSA is the ONLY form we require to apply for financial aid. Apply online or come into the Student Faculty Services Center, 3501 University Blvd, East, Adelphi, MD – Room 1229. If you are filing online, you can sign your FAFSA electronically with a Federal Student Aid Pin Number.
   • UMUC's school code is 011644.
   • Maryland Residents may apply for aid from the Maryland Higher Education Commission by listing UMUC on line 97 of the FAFSA and completing the FAFSA by March 1.  For more information about state aid, please visit MHEC’s Web site.
      
2. Accept Your Aid Package
   Your Financial Aid Award package lists the amount of aid you are eligible to receive to attend UMUC. Your award may be a combination of scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans.  Your Award Package is based on your FAFSA results and on the assumption that you will register at least half-time. The aid awarded is divided equally between the fall and spring terms. It is important that you accept your award so that your aid will disburse in a timely manner.  If you decide not to attend UMUC, please contact our office immediately.
    
3. Receiving Your Aid
   Your aid may be revised according to your actual enrollment at the time you register and again at the Pell Census date, which is at the midpoint of the semester.  Aid is disbursed approximately ten (10) days prior to the start of classes.  If you are owed a refund, it will be mailed to you from the State of Maryland Office of the Comptroller within 7-14 business days following disbursement of aid to your student account.  In order to ensure that your aid is disbursed on time it is important to check your MyUMUC account periodically to make sure that you have completed any missing or incomplete items and that your financial aid file is complete.
   
    If you are a new borrower to UMUC, you must complete a Direct Loan Entrance Interview and a Master Promissory Note before your loans are disbursed.  You will only need to complete this process once. 
   
   
   
4. Maintaining Your Eligibility
   To maintain your eligibility to be considered for financial aid, you must meet the standards set forth in UMUC’s financial aid policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Read the Graduate SAP policy. Read the Undergraduate SAP policy.