CATALOG - University of Maryland University College

SERVICES AND RESOURCES• Possess a valid Social Security number• Register with Selective Service, if required to do so• Not be in default on any federal student loans, nor have borrowedin excess of loan limits, nor owe a refund on any grantunder Title IV federal student aid programs• Not be ineligible based on a drug convictionFinancial Aid ProgramsMost aid programs are available to both full- and part-timestudents. UMUC offers several kinds of aid, including grants,scholarships, work-study, and loans. In most cases, at least halftimeenrollment (6 credits) is required.Amounts and eligibility for financial aid vary from year to year.Following is a brief description of amounts likely to be availablefor the 2008–9 award year.GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPSGift assistance, for which no repayment is required, is offeredby the state of Maryland and UMUC. The UMUC FinancialAid Office administers several types of gift assistance: UMUCscholarships and grants and Maryland state scholarships andgrants.The UMUC President’s Grant program offers grants to studentswho demonstrate financial need. Typical awards during the2008–9 year will range from $100 to $600 per session, basedon need.UMUC scholarship programs, which include the UMUCPresident’s Scholarship, offer a number of institutional scholarshipsas well as scholarships from corporate donors and foundations.A separate scholarship application must be completed forconsideration. Requirements vary according to the individualscholarship programs. Typical awards range from $200 to $1,500per session, depending on the specific program. Most scholarshipsrequire a minimum GPA for consideration. Students should visitwww.umuc.edu/scholarships for more information.Maryland state grant and scholarship programs provide financialassistance to Maryland residents based primarily on financialneed. Awards to graduate students typically require enrollment ofat least 6 credits per session. Award amounts range from $200 to$3,000 annually. Senatorial and Delegate Scholarship awards arebased on criteria established by the elected official. For more information,students should contact the Maryland Higher EducationOffice of Student Financial Assistance at 410-260-4565 or 800-974-1024 or visit www.mhec.state.md.us.Many UMUC students receive private scholarships offered bycorporations, associations, foundations, and other organizationsthat offer awards on a competitive basis to students who meetspecific criteria. Students should inquire about scholarship possibilitiesthrough organizations with which they have an affiliation.Additional scholarship links and search tools are availablethrough the Web at www.umuc.edu/financialaid.LOANSLoan programs are available to students enrolled for at least6 credits per standard session. Students who take loans to payfor college expenses must repay the principal and interest inaccordance with the terms of the promissory note.The Federal Perkins Loan program offers need-based, lowinterestfederal loans. UMUC is the lender. Award amounts typicallyrange between $500 and $1,500 per session. The currentinterest rate is 5 percent. Repayment is made to UMUC andbegins nine months after the borrower leaves school or attendancedrops below half-time.The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program offers lowinterestfederal loans to students. Repayment begins six monthsafter the student leaves school or attendance drops below halftime.For annual award amounts and general repayment terms,students should visit www.umuc.edu/financialaid.Graduate PLUS and other alternative student loan programsare also an option for UMUC students. Students whose financialaid awards do not meet their financial need may be able toborrow up to their cost of attendance through private studentloan programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education andmany banks and other lenders. Alternative student loans typicallyrequire a credit check and often a cosigner. Students are generallyrequired to be enrolled for at least 6 credits. Students who areinterested in an alternative student loan should contact the bankof their choice or visit UMUC’s Web page on alternative studentloans at www.umuc.edu/financialaid for more information.EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTSUMUC recognizes the importance of flexible, part-time employmentfor students who are in transition or who have financial need.The Federal Work-Study program is a need-based program thatprovides jobs to assist students in meeting college costs. Theamount of the award varies according to financial need andavailability of funds. Funds are paid biweekly, based on hoursworked. Students must apply and be hired for employmentin the university setting or in an approved community-serviceposition. Students who do not secure such employment forfeit128GRADUATE CATALOG | 2008–2009