Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid

1. What is UMUC’s School Code?
2. Do I have to renew my FAFSA each year/semester?
3. What is a pin number? How do I receive one?
4. How do I review/accept my financial aid award?
5. Do I have to accept my entire financial aid award?
6. How can I check my financial aid status?
7. Once I receive my award letter, is there a registration deadline?
8. What is the deadline to accept a financial aid award once courses begin?
9. I have financial aid at another school. How can I apply that aid to UMUC?
10. How do I use financial aid if I am in the community college alliance program?
11. How do I use financial aid if I am in a Consortium Agreement?
12. How do I apply for a scholarship?
13. I have defaulted on student loans in the past. Is there anything I can do be eligible for aid again?
14. Am I eligible to declare myself as an “independent” for financial aid purposes?
15. I am currently out of work or there is a financial situation within my immediate family that is going to change significantly. How do I indicate this on the FAFSA form?
16. How do loan deferments work?
17. Can I receive financial aid in addition to my tuition assistance (TA)?
18. How does financial aid affect my tuition assistance (TA) or does it?
19. How do I appeal a financial aid decision?
20. Can my financial aid change?
21. I have a bachelor’s degree. Am I considered a graduate student?
22. I am not admitted to a degree or eligible certificate program, can I receive aid?
23. I am not a full-time student this term. Am I still eligible for financial aid?
24. Are non-citizens eligible for financial aid?
25. I am admitted to a degree program at the university beginning in the fall term. Can I receive financial aid for classes during the summer term?
26. What if I am seeking a second undergraduate degree?
27. What is the withdrawal refund policy?
28. What are the minimum credits required for financial aid eligibility?

1. What is UMUC’s School Code?
UMUC's school code is 011644. In order for UMUC to receive your FAFSA data results from the U.S. Department of Education, it is imperative that you include UMUC’s school code. You can reduce the required processing time by two weeks by completing the FAFSA online.

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2. Do I have to renew my FAFSA each year/semester?
Yes. In order to be considered for federal, state, and institutional assistance, you must complete a FAFSA every year. The FAFSA is available as early as January 1 each year.

You can complete a renewal FAFSA on the FAFSA Web site. Once on the Web site, select “Fill out a Renewal FAFSA” or “Fill out a FAFSA."

Whether you are renewing your application or if this is your first time applying, you will need your pin number to sign in and (if required) the pin of one of your parent’s to sign the application at the end.

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3. What is a pin number? How do I receive one?
A pin number is a personalized 4-digit number issued only to you by the U.S. Department of Education that can be used to electronically sign your new or renewal FAFSA. Both you and one parent/guardian (if required) should apply for a pin in order to complete the entire process online.

If you forgot your pin or would like to apply for one, you can visit www.pin.ed.gov at any time.

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4. How do I review/accept my financial aid award?
You can review your financial aid status online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by logging in to MyUMUC. Click “MyAcademics,” then “Financial Aid,” “View My Financial Aid.” Click the aid year you would like to view (i.e. 2008), then click “Accept/Decline Awards.” If you do not understand your financial aid award or have additional questions, please contact Financial Aid at (301) 985-7510 (select option 2) or via e-mail at finaid@umuc.edu

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5. Do I have to accept my entire financial aid award?
No. You do not need to accept your entire financial aid package. You may accept parts of it and decline other portions if you so choose.

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6. How can I check my financial aid status?
You can check your financial aid status online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by logging in to MyUMUC. Click “MyAcademics,” then “Financial Aid,” then “View My Financial Aid.” Click the aid year you'd like to view (i.e. 2008). You can also select “Accept/Decline Awards” on the same screen.

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7. Once I receive my award letter, is there a registration deadline?
Yes. To be eligible for student loans, you must be registered in at least 6 semester hours prior to the end of mid-semester registration. Example: If you are awarded for fall, then you must be registered in at least 6 semester hours before registration ends on October 17.

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8. What is the deadline to accept a financial aid award once courses begin?
You may apply for financial aid at any time and your application will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If your entire financial aid file is complete by the published priority deadlines, your application will be processed in time for funds to be available for registration. If you miss the priority deadlines, you will still be eligible for and receive financial aid. However, you may have to pay tuition and fees yourself and then be reimbursed when you are approved to receive financial aid.

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9. I have financial aid at another school. How can I apply that aid to UMUC?
Federal regulations prohibit the use of Pell Grants at two schools during the same payment period. However, you may be able to receive loans from both schools. To be considered for financial aid at UMUC, please add UMUC's school code 011644 to your FAFSA and we will review your file and determine your eligibility.

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10. How do I use financial aid if I am in the community college alliance program?
Once you register for your first class at UMUC, we will process all of your financial aid. You will need to obtain a Letter of Permission from your academic advisor to take classes at your community college.

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11. How do I use financial aid if I am in a Consortium Agreement?
If you are a UMUC student attending another college, please contact your academic advisor to request a Letter of Permission. Please be advised that if the classes do not fit your degree program with UMUC, we will not be able to offer you financial aid for these classes.

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12. How do I apply for a scholarship?
UMUC offers an array of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students. In order to be considered for scholarships at UMUC, you must submit a scholarship application.

Scholarship applications can be submitted via the following methods:

1. Online – Apply online via the MyUMUC portal (this option is available only after UMUC has received your FAFSA results). Log in to MyUMUC and click on the “My Academics” tab, then “View My Financial Aid.” Select an aid year (i.e. 2008) and select “Click on this link to apply for a UMUC scholarship.” Complete the application form and click “Submit.”
2. Fax to Student Financial Services at 301-985-1462
3. Mail your completed application to:

   University of Maryland University College
   Student Financial Services
   3501 University Boulevard East
   Adelphi, MD 20783-8078

Scholarship awards are made on the basis of academic performance and/or financial need. To be eligible you must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.;
2. Be in a degree-seeking program;
3. Complete a FAFSA; and
4. Be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours for the award period (unless otherwise stated).

Application Deadlines

UMUC scholarships are generally awarded for the fall and/or spring semesters only. If you receive a scholarship you must complete 100 percent of your coursework during each enrollment period. If you receive an award for the academic year (fall and spring), but do not complete 100 percent of the coursework during the fall semester, your award will automatically be cancelled for the spring semester.

You can reapply for consideration of a scholarship award each academic year.

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13. I have defaulted on student loans in the past. Is there anything I can do be eligible for aid again?
To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid you must first satisfy all outstanding default statuses prior to receiving any new federal aid. You should contact the lender that holds your defaulted loan to determine how to satisfy that obligation. You are eligible to apply for private loans and UMUC Scholarships.

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14. Am I eligible to declare myself as an “independent” for financial aid purposes?
The federal government has established criteria for classifying financial aid recipients as dependent or independent. If you are dependent (not self-supporting according to federal criteria), your parents' assets and income as well as your own are considered when determining your financial need. If you are independent, your need is evaluated solely on your own (and your spouse’s) income and assets.

If you check “YES” to any item in “Step Three” on the 2007-08 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are considered “independent” for financial aid purposes:

• Born before January 1, 1984;
• Enrolled in a masters or doctorate program (beyond a bachelor's degree) in 2007-08;
• Legally married at the time the student signs the application;
• Has children for whom the student provides more than 50% support;
• Has legal dependents other than a spouse or children who receive more than half their support from the student;
• Is an orphan or a ward of the court (or has been a ward of the court until reaching the age of 18); or
• Is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard).

If you cannot answer “YES” to any of these items, you are considered dependent on your parent(s) and must include parental financial information on your financial forms. If you think you have extenuating circumstances that would exempt you from including parental information, you should contact the financial aid office at UMUC.

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15. I am currently out of work or there is a financial situation within my immediate family that is going to change significantly. How do I indicate this on the FAFSA form?
You should still complete or renew your FAFSA by the priority deadline. Your 2007-2008 FAFSA is based on the 2006 tax year and all information reported must be true as of the date you are filing your FAFSA, as well as consistent with the tax information reported to the IRS. Even though tax information from 2006 may not be a true reflection of your family’s current ability to pay, it is very important that we collect your original tax year information before we can make any adjustments or projections. Any adjustments made must be a qualifying change (i.e. death, divorces, illness, etc.) in circumstance must be accompanied by supporting documentation. You may contact a financial aid advisor via email at finaid@umuc.edu AFTER you have received your FAFSA report. You will be contacted by an advisor if additional information is required or if there is a change to your financial aid award.

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16. How do loan deferments work?
A borrower is entitled to have the repayment of a loan deferred under certain circumstances such as half time enrollment at a qualifying university. A deferment is a period of time during which the borrower is not required to repay the loan principal. Interest will not accrue during a deferment. What are the procedures? Deferments are requested through the Registrar's office. Your signed “In School Deferment” request should be faxed to (301) 985-7364. If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, please e-mail registrar@umuc.edu

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17. Can I receive financial aid in addition to my tuition assistance (TA)?
Yes. All students are encouraged to apply for aid regardless of outside tuition assistance.

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18. How does financial aid affect my tuition assistance (TA) or does it?
The agency granting your TA should be consulted to determine if there are any impacts on the benefit they are offering you. Most agencies do not request data on your Federal Financial Aid status. Example: You can receive Military TA and federal financial aid awards for the same semester.

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19. How do I appeal a financial aid decision?
Students who submit a completed FAFSA to UMUC are considered for all federal, state, and institutional assistance that is available based on FAFSA data results. However, after you have received and reviewed your financial aid award letter, you may appeal the decision IF your family’s financial situation has changed significantly since you filed your FAFSA. You may also appeal if the application does not adequately reflect some unusual aspect of your financial situation. For instance, circumstances that involve medical expenses, death, divorce or the loss of income through unemployment may result in the granting of additional financial aid. The appeal submitted must be in writing from the student (not the parent) and must include supporting documentation.

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20. Can my financial aid change?
Yes. As stated in the student award notification, estimated financial aid awards are our best estimate of what you are eligible to receive. However, most changes in awards involve factors that are under your control, or of which you should be aware. Some examples of reasons your award may be increased, reduced, or even cancelled are:

• Your family's financial circumstances change, causing your financial need to change
• You receive any additional outside resource, such as a privately awarded scholarship, which was not listed on your award notification
• You provided incorrect data on your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA
• You do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• The university suspends you
• You do not enroll for the required number of hours to receive aid through the programs awarded to you.

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21. I have a bachelor’s degree. Am I considered a graduate student?
Not necessarily. Only a student officially admitted to a graduate program leading to a master’s or doctorate degree is officially a graduate student.

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22. I am not admitted to a degree or eligible certificate program, can I receive aid?
No.

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23. I am not a full-time student this term. Am I still eligible for financial aid?
You still may be eligible for certain types of aid, providing that you do not drop below half time. You are not eligible to receive funds from the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, University Grants, or Perkins Loan. In addition, scholarships awarded to you based on full-time attendance may be reduced or completely cancelled.

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24. Are non-citizens eligible for financial aid?
A non-citizen who is in the U.S. as a permanent resident is eligible for federal student aid assistance. A non-citizen in the U.S. on a temporary visa is not eligible for federal aid but may be eligible for assistance through the university’s grants, scholarships, or employment postings.

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25. I am admitted to a degree program at the university beginning in the fall term. Can I receive financial aid for classes during the summer term?
No, you must be officially admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to receive financial aid. If your admission is effective for the fall term, you will not be eligible before the fall term.

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26. What if I am seeking a second undergraduate degree?
You may be eligible for Federal Direct Loans. If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to receive aid for a second degree, you may have your college or the Admissions Office confirm admission in a second degree program. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible for most Federal Financial Aid Programs.

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27. What is the withdrawal refund policy?
The official date used to determine a refund is as follows:

• The date of the transaction;
• The date the withdrawal form is filed at the Information Desk at the Student Faculty Services Center (SFSC) in Adelphi, MD; or
• The postmarked date on a written request.

The official date for federal financial aid recipients is the last date of class attendance as determined by federal regulations. Additional information is available online on the UMUC Financial Aid Web page.

Financial aid awards may be cancelled or reduced for financial aid recipients who withdraw from classes. Financial aid recipients should check with a financial aid advisor prior to withdrawing from a course to determine the impact on their awards.

Refunds for Course Cancellations

The university refunds 100 percent of tuition, technology, and registration fees for courses cancelled by the university. The application fee is nonrefundable, even when a course is cancelled.

Refunds for Student Withdrawals

Tuition for fall 2006 and beyond is funded according to the chart below:

Note: No refunds are given for technology fees or tuition for noncredit courses after the official start date of the class.

Federal Return of Funds Policy

Students receiving federal financial aid have the responsibility to follow UMUC’s withdrawal procedures. The 1998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act requires UMUC to calculate a return of Title IV funds on federal financial aid students who withdraw from all classes on or before the 60 percent attendance point in the semester. UMUC is required to return to the federal programs any award funds that were unearned based on the percentage of attendance.

Students who stop attending all classes without officially withdrawing will also be subject to a return of funds calculation at the end of the semester. The amount will be based on the last documented date of attendance as determined by the faculty.

For further information, visit the UMUC Financial Aid Web page or refer to the UMUC Guide to Financial Aid.

UMUC Special Situation Student Withdraw/Refund Policy
For more information, please read the university’s Special Situation Student Withdrawal/Refund Policy.

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28. What are the minimum credits required for financial aid eligibility?

Note: Undergraduate students must be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours) during the summer semester in order to be to be considered for financial aid. Audited courses cannot be included in meeting the minimum required credit hours toward eligibility.

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