Graduation Cap

Financial Aid Links


Social Networking Websites:

  Federal Websites:

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – Students seeking Financial Aid at University of Maryland (including those not yet accepted) should fill out the FAFSA as the first step in applying for Financial Aid. Students are strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA by March 1st so that they will be eligible for University-wide funds and also most State of Maryland awards require the FAFSA be submitted by March 1st.
  • Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number (PIN) – Students seeking Federal Student Aid, as well as Parents of dependant students will need a Federal Student Aid PIN number to sign the FAFSA as well as to sign loan Master Promissory Notes, Entrance and Exit Counseling and as a sign on for Federal Student Aid websites. Additionally people cosigning on a Graduate Plus Loan will need a Federal Student Aid PIN as well. This website allows you create a PIN to use for all these websites online.
  • StudentLoans.gov – This website allows students to complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Notes for their Direct Loans; parents of dependant students can also complete the Master Promissory Note for Parent Plus Loans, and cosigners of Graduate Plus Loans can sign the endorser addendum.
  • National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) – This website allows student to view any Federal Student Loans they have ever taken out, including the current status of the loan and who the current lender and services are. This is also the website students will go to complete the Exit Counseling requirement. Please note that this website does not include private student loans.
  • Federal Student Aid – The Department of Education’s primary Federal Student Aid website.
  • Loan Consolidation – The Department of Education’s website on Federal Direct Consolidation Loans.
  • Direct Loan Servicing Center – The main Direct Loan website.
  • College.gov – Department of Education website for students considering college.
  • Students.gov – Department of Education gateway for students of all ages.
  • United States Department of Education – The Department of Education’s primary website.
  • MyMoney.gov – the Federal Government's website dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money - how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet their personal goals.
  • Department of Education Office of the Inspector General – This office class="contenttext"conducts audits, investigations, and inspections of education programs and operations.
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs – Education benefits available to veterans.
  • Post 9/11 GI Bill – The Veteran’s Administration website on GI Bill Information.
  • Selective Service System (SSS) – This federal agency flags the FAFSA for Selective Service registration verification.
  • Social Security Administration (SSA) – This federal agency flags the FAFSA for Social Security Number or Name matching issues.
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Students may need to contact the IRS if they have problems with their taxes or to get an official transcript of their tax return for verification purposes.
  • US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) – This federal agency flags the FAFSA for proof of citizenship or proof of eligible non-citizen status.
  • US Department of Health & Human Services: Health Professions – Federal Department offering loans, scholarships and grants to students in health professions.
  • Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELPR) – Application & information on this federal loan repayment program available to nurses.
  • Civil Legal Assistance Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program (CLAARP) – Students can receive up to $6,000 in assistance repaying loans per year up to the aggregate limit of $40,000
      
      

Maryland Websites:

  • Maryland Higher Education Commission – This website lists many of the programs, scholarships and grants that the State of Maryland offers to residents of the State of Maryland, as well as some programs to non-residents attending UM.
  • College Savings Plans of Maryland – Independent State Agency that is responsible for the Maryland Prepaid College Trust and the Maryland College Investment Plan.
      
      

Independent Websites: