Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships www.financialaid.umbc.edu
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Information For
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New Students (Freshmen & Transfers)
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Current Students

Parents and Families

How do I apply for need-based financial aid?
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Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) every year you want to apply for need-based financial aid.
Priority Deadline for 2017-2018 was February 14, 2017.
If you haven’t submitted a FAFSA for the up coming academic year, it’s not too late! File today!
Priority Deadline for 2018-2019 is February 14, 2018.

Do I have to reapply for needbased financial aid next year?
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YES! YES! YES! You must apply every year.
Families will be able to complete the 2018-2019 FAFSA beginning October 1, 2017.
The Priority Deadline to complete the 2018-2019 FAFSA is February 14, 2018.
The 2018-2019 FAFSA will be completed using 2016 tax year income.

I was offered financial aid.
Now what?
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Upgrade your my UMBC account.
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Review and accept your financial aid package.
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All correspondence is sent via email to the
UMBC email account.
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Visit our website: www.financialaid.umbc.edu
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“Check My Status” under “Quick Links”
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View/accept your financial aid
View your Alerts/To-Do’s

Accessing your financial aid award

Accessing your financial aid award
 Step 1: Log into my UMBC
 Step 2: Click on Topics Billing and
Personal Finances

Accessing your financial aid award
 Step 3: Click on Financial Aid Inquiry
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You can access forms as well as “To Do’s”

Accessing your financial aid award
Step 4: Select the correct Financial Aid Year

Accessing your financial aid award
Your “To Do’s” (if any) will be displayed first

Accessing your financial aid award
 Your awards will be displayed next

Financial aid assumptions
 Please note that your initial financial aid package is based on the following assumptions:
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Full-time enrollment (12 credits or more per semester).
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Housing status as reported on the FAFSA (e.g. on-campus, off-campus, or with parent).
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Offers the maximum student loan amount for which you are eligible.
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Parent PLUS Loan offers also reflect the maximum amount for which a parent borrower is eligible.

Accepting your loans

How to accept your loans
 Click on Accept/Decline Awards

Accessing your shopping sheet
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Click “View Your Shopping Sheet”

Access Your Shopping Sheet

Anything else?
 Notify us if you are receiving additional awards/scholarships from outside UMBC.
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Exception: MD State Scholarships
 Estimate your out-of-pocket expenses.
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Use the interactive
Cost Calculators on our website to determine how much you may need.
 Apply for additional loan funding if needed.
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Visit our
Loans page for priority filing dates and instructions to apply for student and Parent PLUS loans (if necessary)

What other aid options are out there?
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Scholarship Retriever
Searchable database that lists scholarships departments and outside organizations have listed as being available to UMBC students.
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Civic or professional associations
If your parents belong to any civic organizations, check to see if they offer any scholarships. Also check with your employer, your church and other local organizations to see if they offer scholarships.
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Maryland Residents:
If you have not already done so and are a Maryland resident, contact your Maryland senator and three state delegates for your legislative district to see if you can be considered for one of their scholarships.

Protecting access to student information
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Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA)
FERPA is a Federal law designed to protect students’ educational records. This applies to all university related records, including financial aid and billing.
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Profile Sharing
You (the student) can grant (and/or revoke) access to other people to view your information via my UMBC, including parents and other relatives

How do I share my Profile?

How do I share my Profile?

How do I share my Profile?

Financial Smarts @ UMBC

Financial Smarts @UMBC

What if I have more questions later?
 Contact Us!
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Every student has a Financial Aid Counselor.
Assigned by the first letter of your last name
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Call/email or schedule an appointment to come in for a one-on-one meeting.
OFAS is open Monday – Friday from 8:30AM until 4:30PM. All Summer.
 http://financialaid.umbc.edu/contact/

Final Reminders
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Profile Sharing
Students must have provided authorization through Profile Sharing in order for OFAS and/or SBS to discuss students’ information with anyone other than the student.
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 my UMBC
Check your myUMBC e-mail and “To Do’s” regularly for important financial aid updates and correspondence.
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Contact Us
Each student has a Financial Aid Counselor.
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Visit our website to find your Financial Aid Counselor’s direct contact information