Federal Financial Aid

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Learn about financial aid and other ways to meet, manage, and lower your education costs at t ��.

You don't have to navigate federal financial aid alone. University of Maryland Global Campus is committed to helping you find ways to meet, manage, and lower your education costs through a variety of options, if you qualify. Below is helpful information to help you get started!

How to Apply

Applying for financial aid doesn't have to be stressful. Anyone can apply for aid, regardless of income, and most of the forms you'll need are available online. Here's how to navigate the process.

Apply for admission to UMGC. If you haven't already been admitted as a student, .
Review the How to Apply for Financial Aid page and follow the step-by-step guide for the financial aid application process. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year so you are aware of your options and so that you can be considered for UMGC Scholarships as well. The school code for UMGC is 011644. We recommend submitting a FAFSA to UMGC even if you have yet to be admitted. This way, once you are admitted, we can begin the process of reviewing your application without delay.

After an initial review, UMGC will contact you if you are required to do anything else. UMGC will also update your To Do List in your MyUMGC account with detailed descriptions of any additional requirements. You can review your financial aid offer and college financing plan in the . To learn more about financial aid policies, please review our Consumer Disclosures and Policies.

Financial Aid Programs at t ��

UMGC participates in the following federal student financial aid programs: Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Direct subsidized loans, Direct unsubsidized loans and Direct PLUS loans (for parents and graduate students). Below is helpful information on each program.

Federal Grants

Grants are need-based financial awards that do not have to be repaid. Award amounts vary depending on the student’s enrollment status and need level. Grants are available from a variety of sources, including Federal and state governments.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and does not need to be repaid, . Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI) as calculated from your FAFSA, as well as your current enrollment. Federal Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.

Please note the following important information:

Your Federal Pell Grant award may change if your SAI changes as a result of verification or an updated FAFSA transaction, or if there is a change in your enrollment.
You will become ineligible for the Federal Pell Grant if you receive non-federal aid up to your full Cost of Attendance budget.
You are no longer eligible for the Federal Pell Grant once you have earned your first bachelor’s degree.
You cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant at more than one institution within the same payment period.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

This grant is for undergraduate students who are working toward their first degree and have exceptional financial need. FSEOG awards are not guaranteed from one year to the next.

Federal Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Student Aid Index are considered first for an FSEOG. FSEOG funding is limited, therefore all eligible students may not receive this award. The FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

Federal Loans

Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans funded by the U.S. Department of Education to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education.

Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. These loans do not accrue interest while you are enrolled at least half-time and during eligible grace periods. Interest begins when repayment starts, typically six months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans begin accruing interest as soon as the loan is disbursed, regardless of enrollment status.

Award amounts are determined by grade level classification as well as the number of credits you enroll in for the academic year. You must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for a Direct Loan disbursement. Your loan eligibility will be reviewed and adjusted if you enroll in fewer than 12 credits per term.

Half-time status at t �� is defined differently depending on your program:

Undergraduate: 6 credits
Standard Graduate: 6 credits
Specialty Graduate: 6 credits
Doctoral: 3 credits

Benefits of Federal Loans

Federal student loans are an investment in your future. You should not be afraid to take out Federal student loans, but you should be smart about it. Federal student loans offer many benefits compared to other options.

The interest rate on Federal student loans is almost always lower than that on educational private loans—and much lower than that on a credit card.
You don’t need a credit check or a cosigner to obtain most Federal student loans.
You don’t have to begin repaying your Federal student loans until after you leave college or drop below half-time.
If you demonstrate financial need, you can qualify to have the government pay your interest while you are in school.
Federal student loans offer flexible repayment plans and options to postpone your loan payments if you’re having trouble making payments.
If you work in certain jobs, you may be eligible to have a portion of your Federal student loans forgiven if you meet certain conditions.

Helpful Links

Student Aid, Grant, & Loan Information

Student Aid & Grants

Loans

The Federal [tuition] discount was huge. That helped me tremendously because, being a government employee and a D.C. resident, I was able to pay for my last two semesters out of pocket instead of taking out student loans.

Tameka L. MS in Management: Human Resource Management

Contact Us

Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current t �� student, please visit the Help Center.

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