Welcome Back!
Below is a step-by-step tool that will continue to guide you through the financial aid process beginning with the submission of your FAFSA and concluding with the payment of your bill. We hope that you find the links helpful.
Getting Started
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online or via the myStudentAid mobile app.
- Be sure to include our school code, 002105, and retain your confirmation page for your records. Need help submitting the FAFSA? Get help directly from the source.
- Summer 2023/Fall 2023/Spring 2024: Submit the 2023-2024 FAFSA now for financial aid consideration.
- Summer 2024/Fall 2024/Spring 2025: Submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA. The application is now available.
What’s Next
- Beginning in late March, electronic notifications will be sent advising students to view their Financial Aid Offers on myUMBC.
- Two easy ways to navigate to your awards:
- Log into myUMBC and click “Profile” at the top of the page. You will now see multiple ‘cards’ and can click on “Financial Aid” to access your financial aid offer.
- Log into myUMBC and click “Guide” to access the “Billing and Personal Finances” option on the left. Select “View Financial Aid Inquiry” to see your aid.
- Two easy ways to navigate to your awards:
- All required documents must be submitted and reviewed before your award offer is created. Failure to respond within the requested time frame may reduce your financial aid funding.
- Many awards listed on your initial award offer may be based on full-time enrollment. If you plan to enroll in less than 12 credits as an undergraduate student or less than nine credits as a graduate student, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to discuss how part-time enrollment may affect your awards.
- Privacy laws restrict information that can be disclosed regarding student records. Please visit our Profile Sharing page for more information on how to authorize others to access your financial aid and billing information.
- Estimate your out-of-pocket expenses using our Cost Calculator tool.
Need to Borrow a Loan?
If the combination of your grants, scholarships and personal contributions are not sufficient to cover your costs you may want to apply for a loan.
If you have never applied for a Federal Direct Loan:
- Apply for a loan. Submit your loan application by the priority date to ensure that your loan funds will arrive at UMBC in a timely manner. Apply for loans by our priority deadline date – please visit Loans for additional information and to see final application deadline dates.
- Please note that in order to be eligible for Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) and the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan you must be enrolled in six or more credits.
If you need to borrow more than your Direct Loan eligibility allows, view information about additional Loan possibilities.
Final Steps…
- Register for classes via your myUMBC account after your registration date has been assigned.
- Review your e-bill through myUMBC by navigating to the “Guide” then “Billing and Personal Finances.”
- Pay your bill prior to the due date and avoid late fees.
- Please note: federal financial aid cannot pay late fees. You can use money you received as a refund to pay these charges.
- Under limited circumstances the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships can request a late fee be waived.
- Financial Aid disburses a maximum of 10 days before the start of each semester for full-time students. You can view the full Financial Aid Disbursement Calendar to determine when your aid will apply to your account.
- Review the Book Loan process to see if you are eligible.
Remember…
- All students must meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to maintain eligibility for financial aid awards. Students’ academic progress will be evaluated annually each June.
- Continue to check your myUMBC account for additional email requests, award revisions and requested documents.
- Know your Student Rights and Responsibilities as a student consumer.
Need More Assistance?
Be sure to visit the rest of our website for more information that may meet your specific needs. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us for more information about the application process, the status of your awards, or to submit documents. Students can contact our front office for general questions or connect with their financial aid counselors directly. At UMBC, students are assigned financial aid counselors based on the first letter of their last name.