The Awarding Process

Once we receive and evaluate your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any requested documentation, you will receive an award notification via email before the end of May (April for incoming freshman). Please note that all correspondence will be via email. Students can check www.testudo.umd.edu. to verify or change the email address that information will be sent to. Students who prefer paper must notify the Office of Student Financial Aid in writing.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid by email or by phone, 301-314-9000, Toll Free 1.888.313.2404.

Your Financial Aid Awards

Most initial awards are based on the assumption that students will enroll full-time for both semesters. If you enroll part-time, some of your awards may be reduced or canceled. For information about enrollment requirements for each type of award, see Maintaining Required Enrollment. The amount and type of financial aid you will be offered is based on several factors: your financial need, whether the FAFSA processor received your FAFSA by the UM Priority Deadline (February 15), and the availability of funds. For more information, see How We Determine Your Eligibility for Aid.

Your Award Notification

Once you receive your award notification, please read the instructions carefully. Complete the award notification and maintain a copy for your records.

• To accept an award, enter the amount you want to accept in the accept column. To decline an award, enter an accept amount of $0.
  

  Student Loan Advisory
  Your Award Notification lists the maximum amount you are eligible to borrow from each loan program. You do not have to borrow the full amount of your loan offer. Please borrow only what you need to cover your minimum educational and living expenses for this academic year. If you choose to borrow less, you will still be eligible to request the remaining funds later in the semester. Requests for additional loans must be received at least 30 days before the last day of classes.
  For information on how to accept your direct or Perkins loan, visit Accepting your Loans.

• If you are accepting a Direct Loan offer, your lender will automatically be listed as the Department of Education.
  
• If you will graduate in December, please check "YES" for December graduation.
  
• You have the option to change how your aid is disbursed. For your convenience, we will automatically credit any excess Federal Student Aid toward any charges you may have, other than those of tuition, fees, room, and board. (During the year, most students have incidental items that need to be repaid.) If you do not want to take advantage of this option, you must check and sign the "NO" section.
  
• You must also report all financial assistance you will receive that is not already listed on your Award Notification. Other financial assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following: veteran's benefits, private scholarships, any tuition benefits, non-service fellowships, vocational rehabilitation benefits, UM scholarships not listed above, and RA benefits. Graduate Assistants must report their tuition benefits, but should not report their stipends.
  

Direct and PLUS Loan Applications

If you accept a Direct or PLUS loan offer, you must complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note with the Department of Education at http://www.dlenote.ed.gov. Please do not send a copy of your loan application to UM.

If this is your first Direct Loan from the University of Maryland you must complete an Online Direct Loan Entrance Interview. (If you have completed an entrance interview at a previous school, you must still do an Entrance Interview for your first Direct Loan from the University of Maryland, College Park.)