2008-2009 Financial Aid Award Guide

Aid Programs

Overview

To be considered for federal, university, or state-sponsored aid programs, you must submit a FAFSA. Please see section on Special Enrollment Options for minimum enrollment requirements for each type of award. Student loans must be paid back. Grants, Scholarships, and Federal Work-Study earnings do not have to be paid back.

Federal Pell Grant

This need-based grant is available only to students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree and show exceptional financial need.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant and Federal National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant

To be considered for this grant, students must qualify for the Pell Grant, be enrolled full-time in concentrated math/science or a critical foreign language major, and be a U.S. Citizen. Click here for additional details.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

To be considered for this grant students must qualify for the Pell Grant, and meet UM's Priority Deadline. Funds are limited.

UM Grant, Frederick Douglass Grant, and UM Scholarship

To be considered for one of these awards, applicants must be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, must have met UM’s Priority Deadline, must demonstrate financial need, and must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement or potential. Eligible students may receive only one of these three institutional need-based awards. Additionally, students must be enrolled full time to receive institutional aid. Funds are limited.

Part-Time State Grant

The OSFA can award this Maryland state grant to Maryland residents who demonstrate financial need and enroll for 6 to 11 credits per semester. Funds are limited.

Maryland Higher Education Commission Office of Student Financial Assistance

The Maryland Higher Education Commission Office of Student Financial Assistance offers and administers a variety of state scholarships and grants. Educational Assistance Grants, Guaranteed Access Grants, Hope Scholarships, House of Delegates Scholarships, Senatorial Scholarships and Distinguished Scholarships are the most common types of awards received by UM students.

To be considered for most Maryland Scholarships and Grants, students must be Maryland residents who filed their FAFSA by March 1. In addition, students must demonstrate financial need and/or academic merit. For more information, please contact the MHEC Office of Student Financial Assistance at 1-800-974-1024 or visit their web site at http://www.mhec.state.md.us.

UM Departmental Scholarships

Some UM colleges and departments offer scholarships. For more information, please contact your academic department.

Federal Work-Study

A Federal Work-Study (FWS) award gives students the opportunity to earn wages through employment with an eligible FWS employer. To be considered for FWS, students must demonstrate financial need. Earnings are not credited to students’ accounts. Students will receive biweekly paychecks for the hours worked. Hourly wage rates vary depending on the complexity of the work performed. FWS funds are limited.