Freshmen Connection Program
Freshmen Connection is a fall semester academic program open to students who have already confirmed their Spring admission. Please visit the Freshmen Connection website for enrollment procedures and further information.
Students invited to enroll into the Freshmen Connection program are eligible to receive federal and state funding to help cover their costs of education.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To be considered for financial aid, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA can be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you do not already have your personal identification number (PIN), contact the federal processor at www.pin.ed.gov so that your FAFSA can be electronically signed. If you are a dependent student, your parent must also apply for a PIN. You may report estimated tax figures on your FAFSA. You will be given the opportunity to make corrections at a later date. Submit the FAFSA even if you have not received your admissions decision yet.The University of Maryland's school code is 002103.
Federal Aid
Need Based Aid- Subsidized Stafford Loans
- Pell Grant
- SEOG Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
- Federal Work-Study
State Aid
Maryland Residents may apply for aid from the Maryland Higher Education Commission by listing a Maryland school on line 86 of the FAFSA and by mailing the FAFSA by March 1. For more information about state aid, please visit MHEC's web site.
The Awarding Process
An award notification letter will be emailed to you. The email will direct you how to log on to our website.
Your Award Notification
Once you receive your award notification, please read the instructions. 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. If you are accepting a Stafford Loan offer, you must choose a lender and fill in their lender name and lender code. For more information, see Choosing A Lender. Since this will be your first Stafford Loan from the University of Maryland you must also complete an Online Stafford Loan Entrance Interview at http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/osfa/EntranceCell.html.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions, we encourage you to give us at call at 301-314-9000 or to visit us in 1135 Lee Building. For more information on the Freshmen Connection Program, please visit the Freshmen Connection website.
