Financial Information
Tuition
Tuition is charged to students and applied to all instructional programs. Students admitted to the Graduate School must pay graduate tuition and fees whether the credits satisfy program requirements or not. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this or any other University publication, the University reserves the right to change tuition, fees, and other charges at any time such changes are deemed necessary by the University or the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. The Graduate School tuition and fees schedule is located at www.umaryland.edu/financialservices/student-accounting/.
According to University regulations, graduate students dropping courses receive a full refund of tuition if they drop courses before the first day of the semester. The University publishes the full refund schedule for withdrawal.
Fees
In addition to tuition, graduate students are charged mandatory technology, auxiliary, and other fees. Auxiliary fees include University Student Government Association, supporting facilities, student activity, and shuttle fees. Some online programs are exempt from the supporting facilities and shuttle fees.
Indebtedness to the University
Students must pay debts before registration can be completed for the following semester or session. Students may not receive transcripts or diplomas until they pay their debts. The University applies refunds due to students against their outstanding debts to the University. Uncollected debts are forwarded to the State Central Collection Unit with an additional 17 percent collection fee.
Payment of Tuition and Fees
Credit card payments — Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express — and checks are accepted via the internet by using the link http://umaryland.edu/surfs. Credit card payment may only be used for those charges not covered by financial aid. Payments from any financial proceeds that create a credit balance because of prior credit card payments will be credited to the cardholder’s account to the extent of the original amount paid by that credit card.
An installment payment plan is available for the fall or spring semesters as provided by the University Policy for Payment of Tuition and Fees. Details and access to the plan may be obtained in the Student Accounting Office. The fee for setting up an installment plan is $10 per semester.
Due Date
If payment is postmarked or paid in person or via the internet after the due date, you will be subject to a late payment fee of $100 or 5 percent of the balance, whichever is less. Any amount referred to the State Central Collection Unit for collection will be subject to an additional 17 percent collection fee.
Returned Check Policy
A service charge of $25 is assessed for each check that is returned unpaid by the bank for any reason.
Health Insurance Coverage
Full-time students are required to have health insurance coverage. Students are billed each fall and spring semester for student health insurance. If a student has comparable coverage and does not want the UMB health insurance policy, it is their responsibility to provide proof of coverage to the Student and Employee Health Office (29 S. Paca St.) and obtain a waiver that authorizes removal of the charge from the bill. Waivers are valid for one academic year. Waiver deadline dates are Sept. 15 for the fall semester and Feb. 15 for the spring semester. The waiver form is located at www.umaryland.edu/financialservices/student- accounting/health-insurance-waiver/.
Up-To-Date Account Information
Students may view current information at http://umaryland.edu/surfs by choosing Student Services, Student Records, and Account Summary by Term.
Determination of Residency For Tuition Purposes
Applicants seeking classification as a Maryland resident for tuition and charge-differential purposes must complete a Maryland In-State Status form that accompanies the application for admission. It is important that all questions be answered on the form; omitting information will result in out-of-state classification. The statement of residency determination, as defined by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents, and the procedures and policies of in-state residency determination may be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website, www.umaryland.edu/orr/. An initial determination of in-state status for admission, tuition, and charge-differential purposes is made by the registrar when a student’s application for admission is under consideration. The determination made at that time and any determination made thereafter shall prevail for each subsequent semester until the determination is challenged successfully in a timely manner. Students may request a re-evaluation of their status by filing a petition for in-state classification for admission, tuition, and charge-differential purposes. Students must meet the requirements for in-state status and submit a completed petition (including all documents required therein) by the last day of late registration for the semester in which they wish to be classified as in-state. The burden rests upon students to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that an in-state classification is appropriate. No change in status requested by students shall be given retroactively. A determination of in-state status is valid only if a student enrolls in the semester for which they applied. Determinations made in cases in which students do not enroll are not valid for a subsequent semester (all requirements must be satisfied independently and a new and timely petition must be submitted).
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available to qualified, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students. An assistantship is awarded to students to enable them to make progress toward a graduate degree and obtain academic or research experience. The duties of a graduate assistant must be consistent with the teaching and research missions of the University. Assistantships are awarded by the program in which the student is enrolled. The assignment depends on the program’s needs and the experience and qualifications of the student. Applicants should apply for an assistantship directly to the program in which they wish to study. Programs offer assistantships based on the availability of funds and admission of the student to degree-seeking status at the University. Graduate assistants must register as full-time students, enroll in degree programs, and make satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Programs normally award assistantships to students who have shown superior aptitude in their fields of study and appear likely to render a high quality of service to the University with their teaching and research activities. All graduate assistants are eligible for tuition remission. A full assistantship carries up to 10 credits of tuition remission each semester — fall and spring. All other fees are the responsibility of the graduate student. Graduate assistantships are awarded with the intent of providing financial support and contributing to the recipient’s professional development. In all instances, it is understood that the graduate student’s priority should be their studies and research, and that 100 percent of their effort will be devoted to this endeavor. Therefore, graduate assistants are ineligible for additional awards or employment that includes a work component. A graduate assistant who receives external support for their research will be expected to end their graduate assistantship. These principles also will apply during the summer months for graduate assistants with a 12-month appointment. Exceptions to this policy require the prior approval of the Graduate School. The Graduate School produces the Graduate Assistant Policies and Guidelines handbook, which is available from the Graduate School and is on the Graduate School website.
Other Funding Opportunities
Funding opportunities also are available to graduate students through National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health programs and many other public and private foundations. Students must apply directly to these programs or foundations. Students eligible for federal Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits should contact the VA representative in the School of Nursing or the Graduate School regarding processing requirements and services for VA benefits.
Need-Based Financial Assistance - Office of Student Financial Assistance and Education
Students may apply for need-based assistance to help meet the costs of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and normal living expenses not covered by tuition remission or other resources. Need-based assistance includes Federal Direct Stafford loans and Federal Direct Grad PLUS. Students seeking assistance from these programs must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the enrollment year. Students may apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. More information is available from the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Education, which may be reached at 410-706-7347, via email at aidtalk@umaryland.edu, or by viewing the eligibility for need-based assistance at www.umaryland.edu/fin.