@Juggerz - I really don’t know. I suggest that you call the UMD Freshman Connection office. Seeing as how UMD is a public state funded University, I would guess that much of any financial aid will consist of loans. That is all that my D was offered last year
Hello @mdhelp Can you weigh in on a debate we are having in our house? Son is in-state, white, no FAFSA need. ACT 34, normal (for College Confidential) APs and ECs. Applied RD not knowing it was the kiss of death on scholarships, and perhaps admission. Another parent estimates he would have gotten $3,000/yr if he had applied ED. I am voting for a Gap Year so he can apply Early Decision (to UMD and others). Husband’s friends say scholarships unlikely for white, male, no need, so husband is ready to pay full price (IF son admitted, which I guess would occur after May 1, as others reject UMD). Thank you in advance for your input.
@Epson410 I haven’t seen @mdhelp post anything since the beginning of February, so don’t be surprised if that poster does not respond. As a current parent, I can answer at least one aspect of your question. At Maryland, the one and only way to be eligible for merit scholarships (and special programs like the learning communities, honors and scholars) is to apply by the priority date of November 1. http://www.admissions.umd.edu/apply/FreshmanApplicationDeadlines.php
The need to apply by Nov 1 for honors is reiterated here http://www.honors.umd.edu/prospective-freshmen.php
and for merit scholarships here http://www.admissions.umd.edu/finaid/MeritScholarshipsForFreshmen.php.
Absolutely no one can predict with any accuracy nor with certainty how much a student would get in merit money. From what I have seen, I highly doubt that race plays a significant role in merit money. I have seen students admitted to honors college and a LEP (limited enrollment program) not receive any merit money whatsoever, and students that were not admitted to LEP nor special program yet still received merit money (but the latter is less frequent). You need to remember that it really is difficult to assess what goes into the awards just from those that post on cc. CC posts do not give a full picture, including response to essays, short answers, letters of rec, etc. They try to be holistic in their decisions of merit awards given that, as a public university, they have limited funds to begin with.
Is it worth taking a gap year on a gamble that your son may or may not get an award?
Yes, he would have a chance at an award if he applied by Nov 1 since I believe standardized tests do play a significant role in awards, but there is absolutely NO guarantee. And is it worth a gap year for a couple thousand dollars? As an in state student, tuition for you is already more affordable than most schools. Sometimes it seems that awards are given more often to certain majors (like engineering) but that can also be attributed to the fact that engineering students have higher stats and more competitive transcripts to begin with.
You stated “IF son admitted, which I guess would occur after May 1, as others reject UMD” … Maryland, unlike other schools, does not have a waiting list such that “as others reject UMD” they stand a very good chance of getting that person’s “spot.” Maryland either accepts for fall, accepts for spring, or declines admission. As far as I know, the only students that would stand a chance of changing their admission status are those admitted to spring with a status of waitlist for fall. So, I’m not sure what your son’s status is based on that statement. If he was not admitted at all, he would not be admitted after students choose to attend elsewhere.
@Epson410 I agree with @maryversity No one can say for certain if your son will or will not get any Scholarship money. My D is a Freshman in the Honors College and she did not get any Merit money. Her friend with the same stats got a full ride. It is a holistic process.
On another note, if your son applied to UMD by the RD deadline, he should have received a decision by now. You may want to contact admissions.