University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) Admission Process and Tuition & Fees
University & College Info March 30, 2013Admission to the University of Maryland College Park is highly competitive. The number of students seeking admission far outweighs the number that can be accommodated. Because of the high demand and a desire for equitable treatment, certain applicants from Maryland public institutions are permitted as space becomes available. Freshman are required to have completed four years of English courses, three years of math, three years of history or social science, three years of science in at least two different areas and two years of foreign language courses, upon graduation.
Transfer students need a minimum of 12 semester hours and 18 quarter hours at a regionally accredited college or university. International applicants must provide a certificate of English proficiency; if English is not their native language. They must provide all high school and college academic records in the original language with a certified English translation. They must also provide a certification of finances, including bank states, to demonstrate they have sufficient funds to cover these expenses.
The Cost of Commitment
UMCP has a flexible tuition plan. At $8,909 a year for residents, the basic cost for tuition is less than half for non-residents, who can expect to pay $27,288 a year for tuition. Flexible costs are books and supplies, local transportation and incidental costs, which average out to $4,292 a year for both residents and non-residents. These fees may change as deemed necessary by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.
An on-campus resident hall room, with cable and telephone, costs $5,918 a year and average meal plan, an expected cost of $3,975 a year. This averages out to $23,094 for a Maryland resident and $41,473 for a non-resident.
Easing the Financial Burden
Nearly 75% of freshmen who enroll into UMCP receive some type of financial aid service. There are several financial aid packages offered by UMD to help students meet their financial obligations. Scholarships, grants, loans and student employment are all part of UMCP’s commitment to make affordable outstanding higher education possible.
The Banneker/Key scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship offered to UMCP freshmen. It can cover the full cost of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board and a book allowance, including admission to the Honors College. Several other partial scholarships are also offered, ranging from one to four year awards.
Need based grants can be granted alone or combined with scholarships. To be considered for need based aid, the student must annually submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who demonstrate the most need are considered for most gift need aid. FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for grants, loans and federal work study.
University of Maryland (UMD) University Charges
It’s possible to include most university charges in the Terp payment plan. The plan includes charges for tuition, fees, room, meal plans, telecommunication fees, parking permits and orientation charges. The plan allows you to spread out your academic year payments into eight to ten monthly installments, or your semester payments into four or five installments. There is no interest charge, only a modest enrollment fee.
Admission into the University of Maryland College Park may not be easy, but there are plenty of options for covering the costs and fees if you are accepted. If UMD is your goal for higher education, the best strategy is to maintain a high grade level while you are in high school, involve yourself in extra-curriculum activities, and submit a FAFSA promptly to help fulfill your financial obligations.