This page is designed as a resource for UMBC faculty and staff with Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) stipend recipients. Current and prospective graduate students should contact their academic department with specific questions about the GAANN stipend.
Getting Started
Departments will submit a spreadsheet with the full names and EMPL IDs of their prospective GAANN stipend recipients to Colleen Lindbeck, Senior Associate Director, at csly@umbc.edu to determine the candidate’s eligibility for the funds. Departments should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to awarding the student the stipend to ensure the amount does not exceed the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). The Cost of Attendance is a federal regulation that prohibits a student from receiving any financial assistance above the overall cost of their education. In addition, GAANN stipend recipients may not receive federal loans that exceed their Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
An email response will be sent to the contact person within five business days. The eligibility response will provide the following information in the spreadsheet:
- The student’s total Cost of Attendance (COA) for the academic year, including the summer term.
- The student’s 12-month Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is used to determine the student’s financial need.
- The student’s maximum stipend amount for the school year, including summer.
- An empty column for the department to include the final stipend amount.
What’s Next
The department selects students to receive the stipend and emails the spreadsheet back to Colleen Lindbeck, Senior Associate Director, at csly@umbc.edu with the final stipend amounts. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will then post a placeholder on the student’s account for the amount of the stipend the department is awarding. Submit the GAANN Fee Waiver Disbursement Request Form to request our office to disburse funds to pay any student fees.
- To avoid late fees, plan to submit the GAANN Fee Waiver Disbursement Request Form at least one month before the student’s bill is due.
- Please ensure the students understand that they must enroll in the summer for at least one credit in order to receive the maximum amount of the stipend.
- Departments should confirm this information with the student before determining the award amount. If the student will not be enrolling in the summer for at least one credit, please email Colleen Lindbeck, Senior Associate Director, at csly@umbc.edu.
Students with specific questions regarding their financial aid should be advised to contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Students with specific questions regarding billing, payments and refunds should be advised to contact Student Business Services at 410-455-2288 or by submitting a ticket via their myUMBC account.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Colleen Lindbeck, Senior Associate Director, at 410-455-8148 or at csly@umbc.edu.