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School of Undergraduate Studies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for Undergraduate Advising


Financial Aid/Student Accounts | Veteran Benefits | Drop Classes
Graduation | Tests | Misc
 

 Financial Aid/Student Accounts
   
Q. 
What happens to my financial aid if I fail a course?
A.
It depends. There is a possibility that you could lose your eligibility for financial aid or have to return funds you may have already received. Prior to dropping any course, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor at (800) 888-UMUC (8682), option 2, to discuss your options.
Q. 
Can I use financial aid towards a previous balance?
A.
Yes you can as long as the balance has not gone to collections. To use financial aid towards a previous balance, please contact student financial services at 1-800-888-UMUC (8682), option 2. Starting July 1, 2008 you will no longer be able to use financial aid to cover a previous balance.
Q. 
I am an alliance student taking a course at UMUC and my local community college, what should I do to make sure I get financial aid?
A.
Please contact a Financial Aid Advisor at 800-888-UMUC (8682), option 2 to determine your eligibility for financial aid.
Q. 
What is the withdraw policy at UMUC?
A.

If you officially withdraw from a course, you will receive a grade of W. Official withdrawal from a class must occur no later than 14 days before the final class. Before deciding if you want to withdraw from a class, Undergraduate Advising recommends viewing UMUC's refund schedule at http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/registration/refund_policy.shtml

Course withdraws can now be done online at https://my.umuc.edu.  Once you log into my.umuc.edu student portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then click on "Register/Enrollment".

If you are a financial aid recipient, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor at (800) 888-UMUC (8682), option 2 prior to dropping any courses to determine if this action will affect your financial aid eligibility.
 
How can I contact Financial Aid?

You can contact Financial Aid by phone at 800-888-UMUC (8682) option 2 or by email at finaid@umuc.edu.

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 Veteran Benefits
   
Q. 
Where can I find the veteran certification/benefit forms?
A.
You can find these forms and more helpful links by visiting UMUC's Veteran Forms page.
Q. 
How often do I have to fill out the certification form?
A.
You have to fill out the certification form every semester.
Q. 
I still have not received my veteran benefits.  How do I check the status?
A.
Once you fill out the certification form, you should receive an e-mail notification of receipt within 24 hours.  If you do not receive this notification, please resubmit your form.  You can check the status by calling 800-888-UMUC (8682) ext. 7930.  Please note that once you have filled out the certification form, it typically takes up to two weeks to process and then is sent up to the regional DVA in Buffalo, NY.  One it gets there, it usually takes approximately 30 days for them to process your information and get your benefits to you. 

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 Drop Classes
   
Q. 
How do I drop a class?
A.
Course registration is now done online in the MyUMUC student portal.  Once you log into the portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then click on "Register/Enrollment".  Make sure to scroll down to the bottom and select "Drop" under the "Action" section.
Q. 
 What is the withdrawal policy at UMUC? 
 
A.

If you officially withdraw from a course, you will receive a grade of "W".  Official withdrawal from a class must occur no later than fourteen days before the final class.  Before deciding if you want to withdraw from a class, I would recommend viewing UMUC's refund schedule.

Course withdraws can now be done online in the MyUMUC student portal.  Once you log into the portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then on "Register/Enrollment".
Q. 
 I am not logged into MyUMUC. Can someone else drop the class for me?
 
A.
 Please e-mail your academic advisor or ugadvising@umuc.edu and state that you are aware of the refund policy and that you would like to be dropped from your class.  Please include the class, class number, and your student ID number.  Once you have been dropped from your class, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you.
Q. 
 What is the refund policy at UMUC?
 
A.
 Please see UMUC's Refund Policy page. Note that the 75 percent refund starts on the first day of class.  For example, if your class starts on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and you drop the class at 9 a.m. on the first day, you will only receive a 75 percent refund.  For a 100 percent refund, you must drop the class at least one day before the class start date.  Intensive format sessions have a 0 percent refund on the start date. 

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 Graduation
   
Q. 
What should I do before I apply for graduation?
 
A.
 It is highly recommended that you contact your advisor and make sure that the classes you are attending are your final classes.  Please also make sure all of your contact information (address, e-mail, phone, etc.) and your major/minor is correct and updated in the MyUMUC student portal.
Q. 
 How do I apply for graduation? 
 
A.
 When you log into the MyUMUC student portal, click on "My Academics", then on "Graduation", then on "Apply for Diploma/Certificate".
Q. 
 When do I have to apply for graduation?
 
A.
December Graduation   October 1
May Graduation  February 15
August Graduation  June 15

Students whose applications for a diploma are received after the deadlines will be considered for receiving degrees at the next graduation.  Students who do not complete degree requirements in the semester or term in which they first applied for graduation must complete a new application for diploma and pay the fee for the semester or term in which they will graduate.
Q. 
 I tried to apply for a certificate in MyUMUC, but the option was not there.  How do I apply?
 
A.
 Please e-mail your academic advisor or ugadvising@umuc.edu indicating your name, EMPLID (student ID number), and which certificate you wish to apply for.  Your degree plan will be added, should be able to apply for it within the next 48 hours.   
Q. 
 What is the process after I apply for graduation?
 
A.
 Once we receive your graduation application and you have paid the $50 application fee, graduation services will start going over all of the applications after the deadline date.  Approximately six weeks after the deadline has passed, you will receive either a tentative letter of degree completion (pending the passing of your classes that semester). If you still have remaining requirements, you will receive a graduation checklist. Typically, diplomas are sent out approximately eight weeks after final clearance. If you wish to participate in commencement, you will receive further details regarding ordering your cap and gown and the ceremony sometime in late February or early March.  During this time, you can also e-mail Graduation Services.

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 Tests
   
Q. 
 Do I need to take the placement exam?
 
A.
 The placement exam for Math and English are required unless you are transferring the UMUC equivalent of ENGL 101 or the math requirement (either Math 105 or 107, depending on your program).  Placement testing will not be waived even if math or ENGL 101 is your final requirement. 
Q. 
 How do I register for the placement test?
 
A.

You can now register for your Placement Exam online in the MyUMUC student portal.  Once you log into the portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then on "Undergrad Placement Exam Reg".  From there you can sign up to take the test and get additional information that you may find useful.  E-mail the UMUC Exams and Testing Center or call the placement off at 240-582-2600.

Once you complete your exam, you will instantly be able to see your scores.  If you are not happy with the results, you have the option of retaking the placement exam. You would have to wait a three months after taking the first placement exam before a retake would be issued. Many students take this option because it gives them time to study or get a tutor so that they can place higher.
Q. 
 Where should I go with other questions related to the placement exam? 
 
A.
 Visit the Exams and Testing Services site or e-mail the UMUC Exams and Testing Center.
Q. 
 How do I register for my final exam?
 
A.
 You can now register for your Final Exam online in the MyUMUC student portal.  Once you log into the portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then on "Reg for Undergraduate Exams".
Q. 
 I live outside of the Washington, D.C., metro area—how do I take my exams?
 
A.
 If you are unable to take your exams at local UMUC field offices, you have the option of arranging to take your exams with an alternate proctor. An acceptable proctor is someone who can communicate in English, has no conflict of interest in upholding the UMUC Policy related to Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty and who can provide or is located in an appropriate testing environment where certifying student identification is possible. 

Once you have found a proctored site and you have let the testing center know by giving the details on MyUMUC student portal., the Testing Center will let you know within 72 hours if it has been approved.  You can check the status in MyUMUC.   If you need testing accommodations because of a disability, e-mail the office of Disabled and Veteran Student Affairs, e-mail the Testing Center, or call 800-888-UMUC (8682) ext. 2600 as soon as possible.
Q. 
 I missed the deadline to register for my final exam.  What do I do?
 
A.

If you missed the final exam registration deadline, you will have to register for your Make-up Exam online in the MyUMUC student portal.  Once you log into the portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then on "Undergrad Makeup Exam Reg".  Make-up exam requests are pending until approved or rejected by your professor. You will receive an e-mail stating the status of your request.

The form will guide you through the steps to complete your request. It will prompt you to select the course, choose the exam site, provide justification of why the make-up exam is necessary, and submit your credit card information for the $60 fee.  View the Make-Up Exam Schedule.

Q. 
 I have registered for final exams and my site has been approved, what should I do now? 
 
A.
 At least 24 hours before you take your final exam, contact your proctored site to make sure they have your exam.  If they do not have your exam, e-mail Exams and Testing Services with the following information:  Your name, EMPLID (student ID number), proctored exam site, proctor name, and fax and e-mail address of where the exam needs to go.  During this time, the testing center will resend your exam to the testing site. 

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 Misc
   
Q. 
 How do I register for classes?
 
A.
 Course registration is done online in the MyUMUC student portal.  Once you log into the portal, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", then on "Register/Enrollment".
Q. 
 How do I order books?
 
A.
 The link for required books can be found in the MyUMUC student portal (log in, click on "My Academics", then click on "Registration", and then click on "Order Class Materials") or in the Interactive Schedule of Classes.
Q. 
 How do I receive an Official Evaluation of my transfer credits?
 
A.
 The first thing is to request official transcripts from each school you attended to be sent to UMUC (we will need your high school transcript if you have less than 24 semester hours of transfer credit).  Have the transcripts sent to:  ATTN:  Transcripts, University of Maryland University College, 3501 University Blvd East, Adelphi, MD 20783.  Once all transcripts have arrived, you then fill out an official evaluation request form (you can receive this form from either your advisor or it is located in the forms section of this Web site).  Once the form has been received and all transcripts are in, an evaluation takes approximately 8-10 weeks to be completed.  In the meantime, please contact you advisor to select safe courses while you wait for your evaluation to be completed. 
Q. 
 How do I request an Official Transcript from UMUC to another school?
 
A.
 Complete your transcript request form online.  Once you have completed the form, you will be given a confirmation e-mail letting you know that the transcript has been mailed out. 
Q. 
 How do I change my major/minor?
 
A.

Anytime you change your major or minor you risk losing transfer credit. By comparing your current official evaluation to a new curriculum planning worksheet you can avoid selecting a major that would not benefit you.

If you decide that you definitely would like to change your major you will need to contact an advisor at ugadvising@umuc.edu.  Please include your full name, student identification number, and the new major you would like to switch to. Also, please be clear if you are also changing your minor or not or opting to not have a minor at all.

Q. 
 How do I know if I am on the Dean's List? 
 
A.
 Students who complete at least 12 semester hours (in courses graded A, B, C, D, or F) with a GPA of at least 3.5 in an academic year at UMUC are eligible for the Dean's List.  All courses taken during an academic year are used in computing the average, even though the total number of credits may exceed 12. An academic year is designated as summer through spring terms. Eligibility for the Dean's List is calculated once a year after the spring semester.
Q. 
 What are the requirements for a second bachelor's degree?
 
A.
 Students earning a second bachelor's degree are required to complete at least 30 semester hours of NEW credit. If your program is more than 30 semester hours overall, then you will need to take the appropriate courses to meet that requirement. If you have taken coursework in the past that meets some of the requirements of your second degree, then we will absolutely use this so that you are not repeating courses you have already taken. Please note that you will still be required to complete 30 semester hours of NEW credit even if it means taking a few elective credits.
Q. 
 I am not going to be able to finish all of my work for my class on time.  Can I receive an "Incomplete"?
 
A.
 The only way to receive an Incomplete is by first meeting the minimum eligibility requirements for an "Incomplete" and having your professor agree to an Incomplete.  Please note that even if you meet the eligibility requirements, it is still at the professor’s discretion to grant an Incomplete.  If he/she agrees to give you an Incomplete, you will then be allotted a certain amount of time determined by the professor to complete the work.  You will receive a grade of "I" until all work has been turned in and the professor requests to change your grade.  If you do not turn in your work after the determined time period, you will receive a grade of "F".
Q. 
 I believe my professor has given me a bad grade.  How do I appeal the grade given to me?
 
A.
 The first step is to try to talk to professor to see if the two of you can come up with an agreeable solution.  If the problem has not been resolved at this point, please follow UMUC's student grievance process. Please pay special attention to section III. 

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