The Awarding Process
Once we receive and evaluate your Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA) and any requested documentation, you will receive a copy of your award notification. This can be obtained at www.testudo.umd.edu. All future correspondence will be via email unless you notify us that you prefer paper. Therefore, it is imperative that the University of Maryland have an accurate e-mail address. You should receive an award notification before the end of May (April for incoming freshman).
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.
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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.
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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. - If you are accepting a Stafford Loan offer, you must choose a lender and fill in their lender name and code. For more information, see Choosing a Lender.
- 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.
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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.
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Stafford and PLUS Loan Applications
If you accept a Stafford or PLUS loan offer, your chosen lender's guarantee agency will send you a preprinted loan application and promissory note two to three weeks after you return your Award Notification. You must complete this loan application and return it to the guarantee agency. Please do not return your loan application to UM.
If this is your first Stafford Loan from the University of Maryland you must complete an Online Stafford Loan Entrance Interview. (If you have completed an entrance interview at a previous school, you must still do an Entrance Interview for your first Stafford Loan from the University of Maryland, College Park.)
