Information for Current Undergraduate and Graduate Students
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 you find the links helpful. Be sure to visit the rest of our Web site for more information that may meet your specific needs.
Getting Started
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online between January 1st and February 14th so that all requested documents can be returned to the OSFA before March 1st for priority consideration of financial aid. Include our school code, 002106 and retain your confirmation page for your records.
What's Next?
- In June, we will begin sending out financial aid notification letters advising you of all awards you have been offered. We also encourage you to view your financial aid package on the HawkWeb at myUMES. Documents that are still needed to complete your file will also be listed on the HawkWeb to the right under your To Do List.
- You must submit a new Authorization to Release Information form if your parent(s) or any other person will be contacting our office concerning your financial aid. Without this form, we can not release any information to anyone besides you.
- Estimate your out-of-pocket expenses by comparing your financial aid awards to estimated tuition, fees, room and board charges located under UMES Cost of Attendance on the Office of Financial Aid homepage.
About Your Award Notification...
- If you are a continuing Stafford Direct Loan borrower at UMES, you only need to complete your FAFSA to receive your loan(s). Your loans will automatically be processed and disbursed to your student account unless you notify our office in writing that you do not want to borrow all or some of your loan funds.
- If you have never borrowed Stafford Direct Loan funds while at UMES, you will be automatically awarded all available Stafford Direct Loans as long as you have completed the FAFSA and fulfill the qualifications for receiving federal aid. You will need to complete your Stafford Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note online. We will mail instructions to you on how and when you need to complete both. If you decide you do not want to accept all or some of your loan funds, you will need to indicate that on your award notification and return it to our office with your signature so that we can make the appropriate adjustments to your financial aid.
- Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are also listed on your award notification letter if you are a dependent student (as determined by the FAFSA and Department of Education). These loans are shown as offered only and list the maximum amount that a parent can borrow for the upcoming academic year. THIS LOAN IS NOT GUARANTEED. The parent must complete the PLUS Data Application Sheet and submit it to our office and their credit must be approved by the Department of Education to receive the PLUS loan.
Direct PLUS loans for Graduate Students are
only available to out-of-state Physical Therapy students due to institutional cost of attendance limitations. THIS LOAN IS NOT GUARANTEED. You must complete the
Graduate PLUS Loan Data Application Sheet and submit it to our office and your credit must be approved by the Department of Education to receive the Graduate PLUS loan.
Before Classes Begin...
- Register for classes via the HawkWeb during the available registration dates.
- Complete your payment confirmation to officially register for your classes.
- Pay your bill prior to the due date to avoid late fees and to prevent problems in registering for the following semester.
Remember...
- Continue to check your HawkWeb account and your campus email for additional award revisions, requested documents, financial aid disbursements, and student account balance information.