President's Scholarship FAQs
For Incoming Students- What are the academic standards that must be met?
- Are there special activities for scholarship students?
- How does it work if I am awarded an outside scholarship as well?
- Does the amount of my scholarship increase as costs do?
- 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?
- 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?
For Incoming Students
What are the academic standards that must be met?
Recipients of the President 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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Are there special activities for scholarship students?
President's scholars are eligible to participate in the President's Colloquium, a series of special events throughout the academic year. Information about this program from will be mailed to your campus address after you arrive in the fall.
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How does it work if I am awarded an outside scholarship as well?
If you receive other scholarships such as Maryland Distinguished or National Merit, you may use those funds for room and board, books, and incidental expenses, as well as tuition. The Office of Student Financial Aid determines the amounts for books and incidental expenses each year.
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Does the amount of my scholarship increase as costs do?
No. Unfortunately, your scholarship will remain the same amount for all four years.
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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 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 if you receive numerous outside scholarships), a check is generated; if there is a negative one, the statement serves as a bill.
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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 also need to notify the Financial Aid Office at sfa-scholarships@umd.edu.
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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. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at sfa-scholarships@umd.edu for more information.
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If I lose my scholarship, can I get it back in the future?
Yes, as long as the time frame is within the eight semesters originally awarded. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at sfa-scholarships@umd.edu for more information.
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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 must be followed. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at sfa-scholarships@umd.edu for more information.
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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.
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