Banneker/Key Scholarship FAQs
The Banneker/Key is the University of Maryland's most prestigious scholarship program, and is offered to outstanding incoming freshmen. There are two funding levels: the first funding level covers full tuition and mandatory fees, room and board, and a book allowance for each of the four years; the second award level provides $8,000 towards tuition and a book allowance for in-state students or $12,000 towards tuition and a book allowance for out-of-state students. The "book allowance" funds may be used to defray the cost of books, tuition, fees, room, board, or other educationally related expenses. Scholarship candidates are identified through evaluation of applicants admission materials. The criteria for awarding the Banneker/Key scholarship include(s) academic achievement, results of standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, awards, honors, and the essay. Semifinalists are invited to campus in the spring for an interview before final selections are made. Please note that eligibility for Honors housing and extracurricular activities are additional benefits.
For Incoming Students
- What are the academic standards that must be met?
- Is the Orientation fee covered by my scholarship?
- Is there a special Orientation for Banneker/Key Scholars?
- Is there special housing for Banneker/Key Scholars?
- Are there special activities planned for Banneker/Key Scholars when we arrive in the fall?
- Does the amount of my scholarship increase as costs do?
- What if I receive an outside scholarship as well-can I keep the money?
- Which meal plan is covered by the scholarship?
- How do I pay for books?
- How does the University's billing system work?
For Current Students
- What if I do not meet the required GPA?
- What if I do not complete 12 credits this semester?
- May I use summer school to complete 24 credits?
- May I use my scholarship for winterterm or summer school?
- If I lose my scholarship, can I get it back in the future?
- What if it takes me longer than 4 years to complete my degree?
- If I want to study abroad, will I still get my scholarship?
- May I keep my scholarship if I want to participate in a co-op program?
- Will the scholarship pay for graduate courses?
- Does my scholarship pay for housing if I decide to live off-campus? What about meals if I live in a campus apartment?
- If I'm an R.A., do I get to keep the housing portion of my scholarship?
For Incoming Students
What are the academic standards that must be met?
Recipients of Banneker/Key Scholarships must maintain a 3.20 cumulative GPA and complete at least 24 credits per academic year. Transcripts are reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Aid at the end of each semester.
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Is the Orientation fee covered by my scholarship?
No...it will be billed to your account.
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Is there a special Orientation for Banneker/Key Scholars?
Banneker/Key scholars should come to any of the Honors orientations.
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Is there special housing for Banneker/Key Scholars?
Banneker/Key scholars are housed with other Honors students.
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Are there special activities planned for Banneker/Key Scholars when we arrive in the fall?
First-year Banneker/Key Scholars are invited to a welcome reception at President and Mrs. Mote's house early in the fall semester. Campus deans, faculty and staff affiliated with the Banneker/Key program also attend. There are numerous Honors events and activities throughout the year as well in which to participate.
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Does the amount of my scholarship increase as costs do?
If you receive a full scholarship, your scholarship continues to cover tuition and fees and room and board as these expenses rise each year. With either a full or partial award, the book allowance will increase each year.
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What if I receive an outside scholarship as well-can I keep the money?
If you are a full scholarship Banneker/Key recipient and receive another scholarship such as Maryland Distinguished or a private scholarship, you may keep the amount for incidental expenses as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid each year. If you have the full award, anything above that amount will reduce your Banneker/Key Scholarship by the same amount.
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Which meal plan is covered by the scholarship?
The Campus Plan (see www.dining.umd.edu/meal_plans). You may choose a more expensive plan and pay the difference yourself.
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How do I pay for books?
"Book allowance" funds may be used to defray the cost of tuition, fees, room, board, books or other educationally related expenses. Please refer to the Banneker/Key Policy Statement for details on how funds are applied to student charges.
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How does the University's billing system work?
You must be registered for 12 credits in order for your scholarship to credit to your account. Wait-listed classes don't count, so be sure to register for at least 12 credits at Orientation, even if you plan to adjust your course schedule later. All charges and credits go through your student account. It's like a credit card statement, with charges and credits both listed. If there is a positive balance (likely only when the book allowance and/or outside scholarships are credited to your account), a check is generated; if there is a negative one, the statement serves as a bill. All charges are paid before a check is generated, and the amount reflects those charges.
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For Current Students
What if I do not meet the required GPA?
You get a semester of probation, while still receiving your scholarship, to bring your GPA up to the required 3.20 cumulative.
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What if I do not complete 12 credits this semester?
During the fall and spring semesters you must always carry at least 12 credits through the add/drop period. After that, you may drop below 12, provided you complete 24 total for the academic year, including credits earned during winterterm.
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May I use summer school to complete 24 credits?
Yes, but if you did not complete 24 credits by the end of the spring semester, you will lose your scholarship in June when the Office of Student Financial Aid reviews transcripts. If you then take summer courses, you will get your scholarship back after the 24 credits are completed. You will need to let Financial Aid know (sfa-scholarships@umd.edu) when this is done so your transcript can be reviewed again.
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May I use my scholarship for winterterm or summer school?
Not usually. If you are going to graduate in fewer than eight semesters, you may be able to use your scholarship in this way. You will need to make an appeal to a committee that considers special requests. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (sfa-scholarships@umd.edu) to be advised of the process.
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If I lose my scholarship, can I get it back in the future?
Yes, as long as you bring your cumulative GPA up to 3.20 within the eight semesters originally awarded. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (sfa-scholarships@umd.edu) to request that your transcript be reviewed.
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What if it takes me longer than 4 years to complete my degree?
Your scholarship is limited to 8 semesters even if it takes you longer to finish your degree.
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If I want to study abroad, will I still get my scholarship?
Yes, and it doesn't have to be a Maryland program hosting your courses abroad. As long as your course of study is approved by the University, you will receive your scholarship. There are certain procedures that need to be followed. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (sfa-scholarships@umd.edu) the semester before you intend to study abroad. In addition, depending on the cost of your study abroad program.
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May I keep my scholarship if I want to participate in a co-op program?
Yes, but you will need to defer your scholarship for the semester(s) in which you participate in the co-op, since you will not be a full-time student.
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Will the scholarship pay for graduate courses?
You cannot use your scholarship for graduate school, even if you graduate early and have a semester or two of scholarship eligibility left. However, if you take a graduate course as part of your undergraduate curriculum, the scholarship will pay for that course. Your scholarship may pay for graduate courses taken as part of a combined BA/MA program. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (sfa-scholarships@umd.edu) for more information.
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Does my scholarship pay for housing if I decide to live off-campus? What about meals if I live in a campus apartment?
Your scholarship pays the same amount for room and board no matter where you live, on campus or off, and whether or not you have a meal plan. If there are no charges against your account for room and/or board, the funds come to you in the form of a check, typically with the book allowance.
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If I'm an R.A., do I get to keep the housing portion of my scholarship?
Yes - when Residence Life credits your account with room and board as payment for being a Resident Assistant, a check will be generated in that amount.
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