Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Students seeking financial aid at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (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 1 so that they will be eligible for Universitywide funds, and most awards from the state of Maryland require the FAFSA be submitted by March 1.
FSA ID: Students seeking federal student aid, as well as parents of dependent students, will need an FSA ID 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. People co-signing on a Graduate Plus Loan will need an FSA ID as well. This website allows you create an FSA ID 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 dependent 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 students to view any federal student loans they have ever taken out, including the current status of the loan and who the current lender and servicer are. This also is 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.
College Navigator: Department of Education website for students considering college.
U.S. 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 conducts audits, investigations, and inspections of education programs and operations.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Education benefits available to veterans.
Post 9/11 GI Bill: The Veterans Affairs 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.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): This federal agency flags the FAFSA for proof of citizenship or proof of eligible non-citizen status.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Professions: Federal department offering loans, scholarships, and grants to students in health professions.
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP): Application instructions and information on this federal loan repayment program available to nurses.
Maryland Higher Education Commission: This website lists many programs, scholarships, and grants that the state of Maryland offers to residents of the state as well as some programs to non-residents attending UMB.
College Savings Plans of Maryland: Independent state agency that is responsible for the Maryland Prepaid College Trust and the Maryland College Investment Plan.
National Student Clearinghouse: Service used by most schools (including UMB) and lenders to verify enrollment for in-school deferment purposes.
College Board Scholarships: The College Board’s scholarship search website.
Central Scholarship Bureau: Offers interest-free loans and grants to Maryland residents.