2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024 
    
    Dec 03, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 06/01/2024

Financial Aid and Scholarships


The University is particularly sensitive to the financial needs of its student body. Operating on the premise that no student should be denied an education solely because of a lack of financial resources, the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid renders assistance to as many students as possible in the form of employment, scholarships, grants, and student loans.

Qualifying students may receive funds from one or more of the programs administered by the University and funded from federal, state, and institutional sources. Since student financial aid is not automatically renewed, students must re-apply to the FAFSA each year in order to be considered for assistance. The FAFSA can be found at www.StudentAid.gov.

Since it is the students’ who gain the benefits of a higher education, it is reasonable to expect students to contribute to the cost of their education to the fullest extent possible. For additional information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@umes.edu.

How to Apply for Financial Assistance

There are essentially two types of financial assistance: need-based, which is determined by personal and/or family income levels, and merit scholarships, which are based on special achievements of the student rather than income.

Students applying for need-based financial assistance from federal, state, or institutional sources must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for the widest range of financial assistance. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should include the UMES school code (002106). The priority deadline is

January 15th of each year for the upcoming fall semester. It is very important that all students seeking financial assistance contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and submit all necessary forms. Missing the priority deadline can seriously impact eligibility for financial assistance. Other information may be required on a case-by-case basis. If the Office of Student Financial Aid does not electronically receive information from the federal government, a hard copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Scholarship Information

There are several types of scholarships, grants, loans, and other awards available to students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Currently, more than 80 percent of all UMES students receive some degree of financial aid. Each type of aid has its own criteria, and award amounts vary from partial to complete financial aid. Scholarship and grant awards are funding sources that do not require repayment. Loans require repayment, usually at a reduced interest rate, and payments are usually deferred until six (6) months after graduation. Scholarships, grants and loans are offered through various offices, departments or areas. Offices with scholarships, grants and loans are listed below. Please use the respective web links to access a complete listing or contact the appropriate office.

Many scholarships, grants, loans, and other awards are available through the Office of Financial Aid. For further information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@umes.edu (410) 651-6172. Additional scholarship resources can be found at the following links:

Endowed scholarships are offered through the Office of Institutional Advancement. For further information, please contact the Office of the Institutional Advancement at (410) 651-8045 or use the following link to access a list: www.umes.edu/IA/Scholarships

Student Employment Opportunities

There are many opportunities available for students to work part-time on the UMES campus. Work schedules are centered around the student’s class schedule for the semester, with a maximum of twenty (20) hours per workweek. Like scholarships, funding is generated from many sources; therefore, pay rates and procedures may vary.

College Workship Program: This is a state-funded program that employs students in various departments of the University. Student job opportunities depend on the availability of state funds. Hourly wage rates vary according to job duties and department but are at or above minimum wage. For additional information, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (410) 651-6400 or www.umes.edu/HR/Student-Employment.

Federal College Work-Study Program:

This is a federally funded, need-based, program open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who meet financial need guidelines and the priority deadline. Awards are based on need and availability of funds.  Students are placed in on-campus departments. The rate of pay is at, or slightly above, minimum wage. If an award amount is granted, students earn payment for work up to twenty (20) hours per week; however, most awards average ten (10) hours per week. Awards are paid directly to students via direct deposit. The work-study application becomes available online on the first day of class at the beginning of every Fall semester.  For additional information, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid atFinancialAid@umes.edu.

Resident Assistant Program: The Office of Residence Life regularly hires student assistants for the residence halls. This employment offers stipends that are deposited into the student’s account with the University. Entry-level payment equals approximately the housing cost each semester (this does not include meal costs). To qualify, a student must live in a residence hall for at least one (1) semester and file a FAFSA. Selections are made by the Office of Residence Life. For additional information, please contact the Office of Residence Life at (410) 651-6144.