Your Education is a Good Investment University of Maryland, Baltimore Student Financial Assistance & Education 601 West Lombard Street Suite 201, Health & Human Services Library Office Hours – Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

How Do I Get Aid? 1. Complete your FAFSA 2. Accept your awards on SURFS 3. Complete UMB required forms A. Borrower Disclosure Form(s) i. IF NEEDED: Federal Direct Stafford Loan Direct Loan Request Form ii. IF NEEDED: Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Direct Loan Request Form 4. Direct Loan Requirements A. Direct Loan/Grad PLUS Entrance Counseling B. Federal Direct Stafford/Grad PLUS Master Promissory Notes 5. Set Up Your HigherOne Account 6. Keep checking your for updates and additional awards

What Kind of Aid Can I Get? Grants University Grants Students who filed their FAFSA prior to March 1st are automatically considered for all available UMB grants. Scholarships For Maryland residents – the Maryland Higher Education Commissions offers need based award based on your filing a FAFSA prior to March 1st Other Aid (not administered by UMB) Outside scholarships Employer Tuition Assistance/Remission Family Support

What Kind of Aid Can I Get? Loans Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized – variable, $20,500/yr. max In-school interest charged to student. Student is not required to pay interest while in school. Graduate PLUS Loans – variable, max is COA less any other aid received Subject to credit approval. Approval requires a lack of bad credit. Students can reapply with a cosigner if rejected. Perkins Loans – 5%, $6,000/yr. max., very limited supply Health Professions – 5%, $7,500/yr. max., limited funds Alternate Loans – APR and per yr. max varies with credit score & bank Students interested in these loans should contact their financial aid counselor.

Total Cost of School Tuition, mandatory fees, books, health insurance, housing, student’s living expenses Expected Financial Contribution Amount of funding the Dept. of Education expects you to contribute towards your education Financial Aid Scholarships, grants, and loans from various sources Incidental Costs Items unrelated to school: car payments, entertainment expenses, vacation, etc. These costs are not covered by financial aid. How Much Aid Can I Get?

When Do I Get Aid? Federal regulations allow the release of aid no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes. Funds are applied to your student account to pay all school expenses before the refund process is begun. Refund then take 3-15 business days to reach students, depending on Higher One refund method chosen

Living expenses are based on a 9-month budget Costs related to support of a spouse and/or dependents are not included in the COA and, in some cases, are prohibited. What Am I Living On? ExpenseMonthly Allocation Rent$1,200 Utilities$250 Parking$150 Food$300 Misc.$250 $2,150 $19,350 for a nine- month academic term

Need Help With Budgeting? UMB’s budget tool website – Set up a 1:1 budget counseling meeting – Mrs. Williams at Have questions you can’t find the answers to? – Mrs. Williams at

How Do I Make This Budget Work? Borrow Wisely Borrow what you need, not what you want In case of a shortfall, previously declined money can be obtained Budget Wisely Create a spending plan Calculate your income from all sources Determine all of your fixed expenses Look at your past spending and calculate your variable expenses Put your plan in writing Review it every month Make adjustments to your spending habits if you go over Spend Wisely Look for sales, use coupons, buy in bulk, look at needs vs. wants *** Remember, you’ve got a max of $2,150 per month***

Bottom Line: Student Financial Assistance and Education can assist you with financing you education up to the published COA. Any other expenses are your responsibility.

What Else Do I Need to Know? Plan for what you know Fall disbursements pay for mid-August through December Spring disbursements, mid-January through May If your aid is used up, there is no more. Plan Ahead!!! Plan for gap times (Dec. to Jan., May to Aug.) Plan your expenses (e.g. 9- vs. 12- month lease) Plan for opportunities (e.g. summer internships) Plan to start spending smart now How much do I spend per month? How will my budget change, and how can I plan ahead? Am I buying things I need or things I want? How can I save more now so that I don’t run out later?

Recourses & Resources UMB Financial Aid – Dept. of Education Student Loan Process Overview – Direct Loans Interface – Student Loan Individual Account Access –

 Student Financial Assistance & Education – 601 W. Lombard Street, Suite 221 HS/HSL – – Counselor: Mrs. Breyann Williams – Contact Information